What was your journey to be a coach like, and when did you realize you wanted to pursue coaching?
I started throwing in seventh grade and have had a love and passion for throwing ever since. I eventually earned a scholarship while throwing at Eastern Illinois University. While at EIU, I had my sights set on being a strength and conditioning coach, but I was fortunate to have an excellent opportunity to help coach the throwers after I graduated. I took that year off school to continue working two jobs to save up money for grad school. During the time of assisting, my love for the coaching side of throwing grew. I eventually had an offer to go to the University of Wisconsin and be a volunteer assistant there. That forced me to do some critical thinking about going back for grad school or pursuing being a throws coach. I ultimately went to UW and spent one year as the volunteer assistant throws coach under Dave Astrauskas. I learned so much while with the Badgers and ended up applying for the Drake job after that season, and here we are today.
What have you found to be the most rewarding aspect of coaching? The most rewarding aspect of coaching at Drake?
The most rewarding aspect of coaching is being able to help these student-athletes grow and learn their passion while building relationships with them. Nothing is more rewarding than watching one of my throwers hit that big mark and see how excited they get and knowing that their hard work is paying off. Being able to be a coach at a storied institution like Drake University provides a great sense of pride that is a truly unique experience. Having our student-athletes wear that "Drake" across their chest and competing at The Drake Relays is something exclusive and it's special.
How did your experience as a student-athlete impacted you as a coach?
I was a jack-off-all-trades type thrower at EIU. I wasn't great at a particular event, but I was good enough to provide for our team in all the throwing events. I ended up scoring at our conference championships in all six throwing events. So being exposed to that variety of throwing has allowed me to have first-hand experience with each event. That's given me the chance to have a deeper insight on training methods for each discipline.
What's the best part about coaching at Drake?
The student-athletes! We have a special breed of kids here at Drake. They know the importance of academics and take them very seriously. I believe that allows us to have well-rounded student-athletes who can handle the stress and pressure of performing in more than one way. Drake has also given me the chance to coach my wife, Lexie, which is something that is truly unique. Watching her come in and provide leadership for our program and improve upon her own craft was extremely rewarding. Having Drake give her and I the chance to end her career on a high note is something that I will cherish for the rest of my life.
What has been the biggest challenge with basically building an event area from scratch, and how did you approach it?
Trying to build a culture and tradition of great throwers is hard to establish. It's been a matter of recruiting the right kids and being able to set the right tone for the young group going forward. Many people don't realize that the MVC is one of the top throwing conferences in the country and trying to make an impact is not easy. I knew I just needed a thrower or two to make an impact and that would help start that realization that Drake is more than just sprints and distance program. Luckily I have a great group that has started a new era in throwing at Drake, and I must say they're doing a fantastic job.
At Wisconsin, you coached a future Olympian. What was that experience like and what did you take from it?
Coaching that caliber of an athlete is a different animal. They pick up on things more quickly, they move faster, it's just a different level. Watching and helping coach Kelsey Card train and throw allowed me to get first-hand experience on what it takes to be THAT good. My whole experience at UW was phenomenal and I learned more in a year there than I did my previous five years at EIU. I took away a great mentor in Coach Dave Astrauskas and valuable knowledge to help set me up for establishing a throws program here at Drake.
How would you define your coaching style and philosophy?
Very individual and specialized. Every athlete is different and therefore, can't be coached the same as the next. Throwing is one of the most technical sporting events there is, and it's crucial to identify each athlete's unique characteristics. I make sure to have individual training methods and programs for each athlete to get the most out of them. There is no universal throwing technique, so getting rid of weaknesses and building upon strengths catered to every athlete as an individual is the only way to truly get the most out of them. Having a "cookie-cutter" or one-size-fits-all type of program is not something I believe unlocks true potential.
What is the biggest lesson you've learned as a coach?
Patience. And patience is at a premium in throwing. Some kids need hours and hours of technical break downs and some are slower learners or late bloomers. Being able to have the patience to go through the gauntlet of drills and throws to see improvement is a must. I have athletes that come in and learn new events and being able to understand it can be a long process makes it easier for everyone.
How has the COVID-19 situation affected your coaching, and how are you still staying engaged with the team?
It's had significant impacts, but the student-athletes are finding ways to get work in. It's difficult because many of my student-athletes need a variety of throwing implements, but they don't have access to them. Not to mention a gym or gym equipment to use. So, they're lifting sandbags, throwing sledgehammers, and throwing baseballs and broomsticks. Some are fortunate to have a variety of equipment, but even then, it's hard because I can't be eyes on with them. The technical aspects of throwing are more than difficult to hone in without a coach. However, we do have Zoom calls, and they check in with me individually pretty much weekly.
What is the biggest thing you look for in potential student-athletes?
Work ethic and character. Of course, throwing marks and stature are important, but I'll take an average thrower who's coachable and willing to put in the work over a great thrower who's not that way. I don't want that kid who I have to worry about taking care of school work, doing the right things on the weekends, or showing up to practice on time. Too many people get fixated on pure output, yet they fail to see what goes into that. I've been lucky to have some good throwers develop and are going to be great throwers, and it's a tribute to their willingness to buy in and put the work in.
As a coach that has taken student-athletes from other sports such as soccer and football and trained them to throw, how do you identify those athletes that have the tools to transition to throws?
It depends on the throwing event, but general athleticism is a must. Throwing is more than just big people throwing heavy things. Throwers are arguably the most impressive athletes on the planet. So, finding someone who has athletic awareness AND has some size/levers, strength, and explosiveness is the key. I've been fortunate to have a few kids from soccer and football be willing to learn new things and they have produced for us.
What's the best thing about living in Des Moines?
It's a unique city. I'm from rural Illinois (my high school mascot was literally corn), so there wasn't a plethora of things to do. Geographically it wasn't exciting either. Des Moines has all the amenities of a city, yet there's a variety of outdoorsy activities as well. My wife and I love exploring new restaurants as well as the local parks and recreation areas. Heading up to Saylorville Lake or walking downtown along the river is nice, showing that the area is far from being some concrete jungle.
Outside of your coaching, what do you enjoy doing?
Coaching can be quite a time commitment, so I enjoy spending time with my wife at home or exploring the Des Moines area together. We enjoy visiting the many breweries in the area as well. Lex and I are also loyal St. Louis Cardinals fans, so we make sure to wear our Cardinal red and cheer the Red Birds on in the summer. As my main hobby, I've developed a love for woodworking, so I'm often out in the garage making furniture, planter boxes, corn hole boards; you name it!
