America’s Best Is Back—and Ready to Get to Work
America’s Best Is Back—and Ready to Get to Work
Johno McBride, one of the most respected coaches in alpine skiing, is returning to lead the Stifel U.S. Ski Team men’s speed program. From World Cup wins at Kitzbühel to Olympic preparation camps, McBride’s name is synonymous with American success on snow.
After a few years away from the World Cup, building his life at home and staying quietly connected to the sport, he’s stepping back into the spotlight. His timing couldn’t be better—and the athletes who’ve worked with him are already fired up.
“He’s the right guy—no question about it,” said Daron Rahlves, the most successful male downhill racer in U.S. history. “He made a huge impact on my career. This is what the team needs right now.”
Bennett Fired Up for McBride’s Return
Stifel U.S. Ski Team veteran Bryce Bennett couldn’t hide his excitement when he heard Johno McBride was coming back.
“I’m super fired up,” Bennett said. “Johno was one of those impactful people in my career. He’s like the teachers you remember for life.”
Bennett, the most recent U.S. man to win a World Cup race, has stayed in touch with McBride since the coach left the team. The two reconnected in Sun Valley during the Finals, just before McBride began seriously considering his return. Once Bennett learned that then-head speed coach Burkhard Schaffer was stepping down, he pushed for McBride’s name to be in the mix.
“I talked to Mark Tilston and said, ‘Hey, what about Johno?’” Bennett said. “He told me, ‘I’m talking to him.’ Then, not 20 minutes later, Johno called and said he was thinking about it. I said, ‘Oh, yes.’”
A Coach Who Works Alongside You
What makes McBride stand out, according to Bennett, is how he shows up for his athletes.
“He’s not going to ask you to do something he wouldn’t do himself,” Bennett said. “He’s thoughtful, he pushes you, but he listens. He has your back.”
Bennett recalled a dryland camp at McBride’s Colorado ranch when the coach showed up sick—but refused to sit out.
“He had pneumonia or something, but he was still there with us, hacking up a lung, keeping pace on the mountain bike,” Bennett said. “You see that, and you’re like, alright—we’re doing it.”
A New Chapter
Now a new father, Bennett sees McBride as the perfect coach to help him navigate life on the road with a growing family.
“We’ve talked every day the past week,” he said. “I have new challenges, and I know Johno’s going to help me work through them. That’s just who he is.”
Beyond his own career, Bennett believes McBride’s return will help the U.S. team reconnect with its identity.
“Johno builds tight bonds. He brings fun and camaraderie,” Bennett said. “That suits us. And it matters—not just for this season, but for the future.”
Morse: “No Better Person to Bring the American Downhillers Together”
Sam Morse joined the World Cup speed team at the end of 2017 as a Junior World Downhill Champion—just in time to work under McBride before his departure. The experience made a lasting impression.
“It was such a sick team to come into,” Morse said. “Johno, Pete Anderson, Chris Beckmann, Scotty Veenis—that was an all-star crew. You don’t realize how good you have it until it’s gone.”
Though McBride stepped away to focus on his family, Morse believes his return comes at the perfect time.
“With the Olympics coming, you don’t want to make a risky hire,” he said. “Bringing Johno back is a great call. He knows us. He’s fired up. And I’ve had great phone conversations with him already. He’s really excited.”
Building More Than Skiers
Morse said McBride offers something no outsider can: real connection to the athletes and a deep understanding of American culture.
“The last couple years with Burkhard and Florian, they made us better skiers,” Morse said. “But they weren’t American. There was always a bit of distance.”
McBride closes that gap. “Johno shows up to dryland. He plays games with us. He’s in it,” Morse said. “That creates a different kind of relationship. It’s more than skiing. He brings the American downhillers together like nobody else can.”
Rahlves: “He’s the Right Guy—No Question About It”
Daron Rahlves doesn’t mince words when asked about McBride’s return.
“There’s no question—Johno’s the right guy,” he said. “He helped me take huge steps in my career. It wasn’t just about training—it was the mindset.”
Under McBride, Rahlves won nine World Cup downhills and three super-Gs. He stood on the top step at legendary venues like Kitzbühel, Wengen, Beaver Creek and Bormio.
“It was never ‘hopefully, we can do this,’” Rahlves said. “It was ‘we’re doing this.’ That confidence came from the top.”
A Relentless Drive to Improve
Rahlves recalled winning the Wengen downhill—one of the sport’s most brutal tests—and getting a high five from McBride. But the celebration didn’t last long.
“A minute later, he told me where I could’ve been faster,” Rahlves said. “That’s Johno. It’s always about getting better. No matter how good the day was, he wanted to know what was next.”
More Than a Coach
McBride brought more than tactics—he instilled belief.
“He’s a mentor,” Rahlves said. “Johno makes you think. He pushes you. Johno celebrates with you and he grinds with you. And he makes it fun.”
Rahlves believes McBride’s return can spark a cultural shift.
“If he’s allowed to build the team he believes in, these American guys are going to be in a great position,” he said. “They’ve shown they can compete. Now it’s about consistency, confidence, and the right support. Johno brings all of that.”
Tilston: “Johno Belongs Leading This Group”
Stifel U.S. Ski Team Head Men’s Coach Mark Tilston made the call to bring McBride back—and he did it with full confidence.
“I considered who I thought would be best for the role to build a strong team,” Tilston said.
He had considered McBride for the job two years ago, but the timing wasn’t right. “He was in a different place with his kids,” Tilston said.
This time, the stars aligned.
Energy, Passion, and Experience
Tilston and McBride go back decades—having worked together on the World Cup circuit. Tilston has seen firsthand what McBride brings to the table.
“His energy, passion, and knowledge of the sport stand out,” he said. “He belongs in the World Cup environment—and specifically leading this group.”
And it’s not just about a resume. “Johno knows U.S. downhillers,” Tilston added. “He’ll bring energy and drive the group forward, elevating the entire team.” McBride will also help shape the program’s future, starting with his staff. “He’ll be the one making those calls,” Tilston said.
McBride: “This Team Needs American Energy Again”
McBride is ready.
“I’ve never lost the love,” he said. “I’ve stayed connected—always kept in touch with the guys, even when I wasn’t there.”
He knows some may see his return as a familiar move. But he’s not interested in repeating the past—he’s focused on building something new.
“I’m sure there are people saying, ‘They’re just bringing the same old dudes back again,’” McBride said. “But I’m bringing something different than what they’ve had the last few years.”
He believes American athletes need to be coached with purpose, but also with perspective.
“You can’t take a generic, European approach and expect it to work,” he said. “American athletes respond differently. They need someone who understands their energy, their culture, and what drives them. That’s what I want to bring back.”
Family First—Then the Right Time
McBride turned down opportunities in the past because of one reason: family. “Timing is kind of the critical piece of the whole puzzle—and always has been,” he said.
Now, with one daughter just graduated from college, another in college, and a third heading into her senior year of high school, the timing finally feels right.
“I’ve always missed this,” McBride said. “I love being part of it—even with all the challenges.”
Finding a Way Down
He knows how tough this job is. He’s done it before. And in one now-legendary moment, he showed exactly the kind of grit he demands from his athletes—boot skiing the Zielschuss in Kitzbühel after losing his footing on the traverse, as 60,000 fans roared.
“It wasn’t exactly a highlight reel move,” McBride laughed. “But I didn’t really have a choice. You find a way to get down.”
That moment says everything about who he is as a coach: fearless, honest, relentless.
“I’m not under any illusions,” McBride said. “This job is hard. But I believe in these guys. I believe in what we can build. We just need to get to work.”
About the Author: Peter Lange
