'THE Q IS BACK'.

Byline: Bill Schlotter Daily News Staff Writer

To those who think the track career of Quincy Watts ended with two gold medals in Barcelona in 1992, coach Jim Bush brings news.

"The Q is back," said Bush, who coached Watts, the former Taft High School great, to gold in the 400 meters and 1,600 relay at the 1992 Olympics. "He's back with bells ringing. If he stays healthy, he can win the gold medal and break the world record."

That pronouncement will indeed come as news to track and field insiders.

Since leaving Bush following their Olympic success, Watts hasn't been the same.

In succeeding years, Watts struggled with injury and coaching he feels was unsuited to his style of running. Along the way, he developed a reputation - undeserved, he says - as a slacker.

Then last spring, with his times declining, Nike pulled its sponsorship.

At rock bottom, Watts decided to get back to what made him great before: the coaching of Bush, his old college coach.

It was Bush who recruited Watts to USC and turned the high school sprinter into an Olympic 400-meter winner.

"Coach Bush literally made me, he sculpted me," said Watts, who now lives in Calabasas. "He took my God-given talents, added his ingredients and made me someone special."

That specialness seemed to ebb when the two went separate ways.

Watts won the gold medal in the Olympic-record time of 43.50 second.

His best in 1993 - the year his running shoe disintegrated in the 400 final at the World Championships - under coach John Smith was 44.13.

Watts spent most of 1994 nursing a knee injury that doctors couldn't seem to solve, and he switched coaches to Bob Kersee.

And in 1995, with Watts trying to run through constant knee pain, his best time was a disappointing 45.28, he was ranked just 10th in the U.S. and Nike dropped his contract.

Watts was eliminated in the semifinals of last year's national championships. And as he listened to whispered remarks about his lost talent, he was a study of bewilderment over what had happened.

"I was really frustrated last year when I didn't make the finals," Watts said. "What bothered me is I knew I hadn't competed to my potential. I felt like I had struggled from the very first round and I had never been in a position like that before. I felt really bad."

But out of his frustration, a plan for the future grew.

"I realized that I am a better athlete than this," Watts said. "I needed to get a game plan and prepare myself for 1996."

The first piece of the plan was going back to Bush.

"Coach Bush knows exactly what to do to rectify my problems," Watts said.

Another step was to get his knee injury correctly diagnosed and treated.

"I had been misdiagnosed for like a year and a half," Watts said. "Then I went to (physical therapist) Clive (Brewster) in July, and within a matter of weeks the problem was gone."

Watts also began to take better care of his body, keeping a rigorous nutritional program of diet and supplements.

And it all seems to be working.

Watts ran a 44.9 leg of a 400 relay two weeks ago in Long Beach despite having a touch of the flu, according to Bush.

So far, Bush said, Watts has been working mainly on developing strength and stamina.

June is the month of the Olympic Trials. And Watts already knows the date of the 400-meter final.

"The finals are on June 19th, which is my birthday," said Watts, who will turn 26.

Watts and Bush figure the main competition at the trials will be from Michael Johnson, whose best is 43.39 and whom many say will be unbeatable in the trials and the Olympic Games.

"Everybody says Michael Johnson has it wrapped up," Bush said. "But he doesn't have it yet. He hasn't seen a healthy Quincy."

Bush has ambitious plans for Watts. A win over Johnson at the trials. Another gold medal at the Games, making him the first to win back-to-back golds at 400 meters. A world record.

And he thinks ultimately, Watts will make a major breakthrough in the event.

"I think Quincy can break 43 seconds," Bush said. "Maybe not this year, but he'll get it."

Watts isn't given to predictions like that. But he does feel sure of some things.

"I know one thing," he said. "I can say I'll be ready to run fast on June 19. And I'll be ready to run even faster in Atlanta."

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PHOTO

Photo (color) Quincy Watts, winner of two gold medals, is resurrecting his career under the guidance of coach Jim Bush for the '96 Games. Myung J. Chun / Daily News