Georgia Southern Coaching Education Newsletter

October 2022

From left to right: Neal Bates ('13, '15), Dawson Kilcrease ('14), Hal Wilson, Brad Stanley, & Kevin Burris. All four played high school basketball for Dr. Wilson and were in Kilcrease's recent wedding. Photo by Jennifer Kilcrease.

"While we strive to win every competition, our purpose in coaching is much larger than that."

Above: Dawson & Brooke Kilcrease's Sept. wedding in Chickamauga, GA. Photo from social media.

Message from the Coordinator

If you're reading this you probably agree that coaches have a tremendous opportunity-- and responsibility-- to invest in the lives of their players. While we strive to win every competition, our purpose in coaching is much larger than that. Sometimes, coaches get wonderful reminders that this investment has payed off long after the season. Recently, I was lucky enough for that to happen. In fact, I was humbled and honored to be asked to officiate the wedding of one of our former players- a player who graduated over 13 years ago! Dawson Kilcrease ('14), and his new bride Brooke ('17), are also both proud alumni of Georgia Southern. The Best Man and two other groomsman also played for us at North Oconee High School (Bogart, GA). It was wonderful to see them doing great things in the world so many years later.

It is time consuming, and can be emotionally draining, to pour into players but the payoff is worth it! Let me encourage you to keep doing all you can to make every player's experience in your program a good one. Our coaching education program goes into great detail on how to make this happen. As the testimonials demonstrate, our students get it!

Please let us know if you'd like more information on our nationally accredited, fully online master's program, on our nationally accredited, face-to-face coaching minor, or if we can do anything to support your coaching.

Press on,

Coach Hal Wilson, PhD

Table of Contents

Alumni Spotlight

Student Spotlight

Faculty Spotlight

Real World Career Connection

Alumni Spotlight

Above: Tift County High School Volleyball celebrating Coach Dawson's 100th win. Photo from social media.

Congratulations to alumnus Caleb Dawson ('21M) on recently earning 100 wins at Tift County High School (Tifton, GA). Coach Dawson is currently a weight room coach, in his fifth year as head volleyball coach, second year as assistant swim coach, and sixth year as assistant soccer coach.

"I believe coaching is a true calling and it has always been my dream. I try to coach and lead with love. Love for my athletes so that I always want the best for them as individuals and as teammates and love for my sport so that sport integrity is more important than sport success."

Do you have alumni or current student news to share (new job, milestone win, etc.)? Would you like to be featured in our Alumni Spotlight? If so, please click here to let us know.

Student Spotlight

A picture of Johnnie Sanchez coaching a soccer team

"Coaching has taught me a lot about myself and I have realized I love helping the community through a sport I love..."

"...This is a unique journey that I am forever grateful for and would not trade it for the world."

-Johnnie Sanchez

Photos provided by Johnnie Sanchez.

Undergraduate student Johnnie Sanchez is making the most of opportunities to coach local soccer teams. For example, he has helped coach both the Portal High School (Portal, GA) varsity girls and varsity boys teams to the Elite 8 under the direction of coaches Deena Scarborough & Matt Haddock.

"I would not be where I am without the help and guidance from Mrs. Scarborough and Coach Matt as they were the ones that took a chance and gave me this opportunity. I look up to them constantly and base my coaching philosophy from what I have learned from them."

Sanchez has also coached several teams for the Tormenta FC Academy, sponsored by our local professional team.

"I have met many coaches through the academy that have put an impact on me as well as the kids. Coach Jorge Gonzalez is the academy director for Statesboro as well as the assistant coach for the professional team. He is very dedicated to his coaching and always ensures that we have everything we need while helping in any way he can. Coach Bill Chesire is also one of the Academy Directors and does so much for all of the kids in the academy."

Sanchez also expressed appreciation for Georgia Southern Coaching Education Visiting Instructor (and Double Eagle) Jeff Ward ('16, '17M).

"I have learned so much from him. He is passionate at his job and is always so supportive of everything I do. Constantly checking in and even coming to some of the academy games."

Our undergraduate students gain valuable experience coaching in the community as part of several courses, but Coach Sanchez has gone above and beyond! For more information on our nationally accredited coaching minor, please click here.

Faculty Spotlight

Dr. Jody Langdon is a Professor of Exercise Science & Coaching who teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses in our Coaching Education program. Before joining the faculty at Georgia Southern in 2010, Langdon taught Physical Education at both the elementary and middle school levels in Florida. She is also a Center for Self-Determination Theory International Scholar and has earned numerous awards including the 2019 National Association for Kinesiology in Higher Education Distinguished Teaching Award, the 2018 University System of Georgia Regent’s Award for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, and the 2016 College of Health and Human Sciences Excellence in Scholarship Award.

"My research is focused on how leaders (mainly coaches and teachers) can effectively communicate with their athletes/students and set up a learning climate that enhances motivation."

Real World Career Connection

Our Coaching Education programs prepare coaches for opportunities at every level of play. In fact, our graduates have coached at the youth, scholastic, collegiate, and professional levels. We are always evaluating our curriculum to make sure we are preparing our students for the real world. Below is one recent example of a real-world coaching opportunity and and example of how our program prepares students for opportunities like these:

College Basketball Data Scout

"Attend College Basketball games in your current region and surrounding areas of up to a 1-hour travel distance. Record and collect in-time real data on our Data Collection Tool and work closely with the game-day support team to ensure data is being recorded quickly and accurately. We are fueling the next generation of fan engagement. This is a part-time, independent contractor role for the 2022-2023 college basketball season."

Inside Look

KINS 3431: Psychology of Coaching

This is a required course in our Coaching Minor and is currently taught each semester. This fall, Dr. Jody Langdon is teaching the course and had this to say:

"This semester, I'm teaching the undergraduate Psychology of Coaching course. I find this class incredibly useful for students whether they want to eventually go into coaching or not. We've spent the last few weeks learning about different mental skills including imagery. Students have been paired up to write imagery scripts that are applicable to athletes in specific sports and levels. It's been amazing to see what the students have come up with."

-Dr. Jody Langdon

Testimonial

Above: Coach Bob Brunson ('20M) and his family. Photo from Franklin Co. High School.

"My name is Bob Brunson and I am currently the Offensive Coordinator and Head Boys Tennis Coach at Franklin County High School (Carnesville, GA), where I also teach Weight Training. Two years ago, I completed Georgia Southern University Master’s Program in Coaching and it was a very beneficial experience. The first thing that stands out in my mind is how the program helped me truly realize what my purpose is in coaching, which is to help transform my student athletes into the best version of themselves through faith, love, and discipline. This was done through completing the three-dimensional coaching course. Another thing this program has allowed me to do is focus on the more important aspects of coaching, such as developing the player as a whole person and not solely as an athlete. I am truly blessed and thankful to be given the opportunity to participate in this program. I know it has made me a better person and a better coach."

-Bob Brunson ('20M)

Event

Free Online Coaching Clinic

Thursday, Nov. 3rd at 7pm eastern, we are cohosting an online clinic with the Minority Coaches Association of Georgia (MCAofGA). We are proud to have partnered with the MCAofGA for several years to identify potential students for our fully online master's program and excited for this new event.

WHO: Any coach, any level

WHAT: Online coaching clinic

WHEN: Thurs. Nov. 3, 2022 at 7pm

WHERE: Zoom

Campus Engagement

Dr. Hal Wilson kicks off the Georgia Southern Athletics Coaches and Staff Professional Development Series. Photo by Matthew Goldstein.

Professional Development Series for

GS Athletics Coaches and Staff

This summer, as part of a plan to strengthen the relationship between Georgia Southern Athletics and the Coaching Education program, Dr. Hal Wilson and Director of Athletics Jared Benko co-created a new Professional Development Series for Georgia Southern Coaches and Staff. Each month a faculty member is presenting on a wide range of topics. August and September featured Dr. Wilson discussing leadership, while October and November will be led by Visiting Instructor Jeff Ward and Dr. Jody Langdon respectively.

"I was so impressed with Jared's commitment to the professional development of his people. He was especially interested in providing opportunities for his junior staff and assistant coaches, but the sessions have been attended by many head coaches and senior staff as well. The engagement in the sessions has been fantastic and we appreciate our partnership with the Athletic Department. We have many current athletes in our undergraduate program but have also had many graduate assistants, assistants, and even sitting head coaches go through our graduate program."

Did you miss a previous issue? Click here for all newsletters since August 2022.

Co-Editors: Mikayla Ellison & Charles "Hal" Wilson, Jr.