Coach: John Adam
High school: Lutheran-Parker
Sport: Boys basketball
What made you decide you wanted to become a coach in your
present sport?
My eighth-grade coach asked me to help him out when I was in
college, and I got hooked. There’s nothing like helping a player
get to that “ah-ha” moment and realize their potential.
Describe one of the best moments you can remember from your
coaching career?
Going on an 11-game win streak to get to the Great 8 last year
was amazing. We had a lot of early defeats and struggles, then the
light turned on, and we never looked back.
What was one of the most heartbreaking moments of your coaching
career?
Losing on a buzzer-beater to eventual state champion Sedgwick
County in the district semifinals in 2008. We led for the majority
of the game and about five crazy things went wrong right at the
end.
If a young athlete came to you and said he or she was interested
in a career as a coach, what advice would you give him/her?
I would ask them why they want to coach. If it’s for the
wins/championships, then I’d say think twice about it. There are so
many things out of your control that contribute to championships.
You will drive yourself crazy if your focus is just on winning. If
it’s to positively impact kids, then I’d say go for it. Coaches are
some of the most influential people in the world, and we have an
enormous opportunity to teach (players) life lessons that aren’t
learned almost anywhere else. We should be defined by what our
players become, more than the games we won.
What do you do for fun that isn’t related to the sport you
presently coach?
Spend time with my wife and son, movies, games, golf.
What is the toughest decision a coach in your sport has to make
on a fairly consistent basis?
Cuts are by far the worst part of the job. Another one is
removing a player from the starting lineup (who) isn’t producing.
Kids put so much emphasis on starting and some get crushed.
If you could coach for any professional sports team for one
year, which would it be and what changes would you make?
The Colorado Rockies. They’re built on a lot of great principles
that I believe in. I’d make (second baseman Clint) Barmes a utility
player. He doesn’t make enough contact.
Your present team just won the state championship. What do you
(and/or the team) do to celebrate the achievement?
Pray and thank God for the victory. One of my favorite proverbs
says, “The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory
comes from the Lord.”
