Coaching In The Classroom
Oct. 8, 2009
“Coaching in the Classroom”
By Mike Smyth
Jeff Johnston is no stranger to the world of athletics and academics. In 19 years at UC Irvine, Johnston has served as the men’s golf coach, worked for campus recreation and taught in the DOE Multiple Subjects Credential Program as well as the Undergraduate Minor in Educational Studies.
Last winter, UCI created a two-class series for students to earn a UC Irvine Coaching Certificate. Upon completion of both classes, students are well prepared for the California high school certification exams, a requirement of California coaches.
Recently, I had the opportunity to sit in on the first day of class for Ed 181B Coaching Sports II: Field Practicum: Applying Principles and Practices of Coaching Sports.
Sitting in the back of the classroom, I waited with other students for the teacher to arrive. As soon as Johnston entered the room, his enthusiasm and personality were evident. He greeted his students with handshakes, hugs, and lots of laughter. Before the class officially began, Johnston put on his favorite Hawaiian-style Chicago Cubs shirt and the class began.
“Everybody get on the party train,” he exclaimed.
Johnston’s class was humorous, exciting, and interactive. He insisted that a collaboration of ideas and experiences was important to the learning process.
“The best part of the class is that it rearranges your thinking, and what you have been taught and coached your entire life,” track athlete Natasha Wardley said. “You have to be open to new things and new ideas, and that was one of the challenging things with the class. By far, it has been the best class I have taken at UCI.”
Wardley also said the class stressed that having a strong foundation, morals, and ethics make a great coach. She plans on coaching track or basketball someday.
Groups were given fun activities to introduce themselves and stimulate their memories. The class structure relied on individuals sharing their thoughts and experiences to benefit the entire class. Johnston’s positive attitude carried over to the students who were eager to participate and learn.
“Taking this class has given me a better understanding and appreciation of my coaches. I learned about all the small things that a coach does, and all the dimensions of working with athletes,” said women’s basketball player Kelly Cochran. Cochran, who graduated last June and has begun the Masters of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program at UCI this fall, plans on teaching and coaching basketball at the high school or club level.
Each student is required to complete a certain amount of practical work at a variety of coaching levels and then everyone is encouraged to participate and share their experiences. A guest speaker series as well as writing an article on a coach are all part of the curriculum.
“It was great to have guest speakers and coaches come in and talk with us. Coach Speraw (two time NCAA champion head men’s volleyball coach at UCI) was great to listen to. He’s a genius when it comes to having a coaching plan and reaching his goals,” said women’s volleyball coach Kari Pestolesi.
Pestolesi, whose father Tom is a successful volleyball coach at Irvine Valley College, has grown up with a coach’s mentality. She says her dad’s coaching philosophy is to keep things fun and interesting. He taught her, “If you’re not having fun, why even play?” and that is the atmosphere in Johnston’s class.
The coaching classes are designed to involve all UCI students, not just athletes. The class had a diverse array of students, some were athletes, some had never played sports, and some were directly interested in coaching and/or teaching as a career.
Johnston is that rare kind of teacher - one that you remember forever. His energy is truly contagious and he creates an exciting, fun environment that fuels learning and shapes young minds.
