Contacts Episode #157: Jean Ashen Revisit

Welcome to this edition of the "The Coaching Journey," a newsletter dedicated to sharing insights and advice from experienced coaches. In this edition, we revisit into an intriguing conversation with Jean Ashen, a respected coach and athletic director at North Salinas high school. Discover the insights and wisdom she shared during the interview, which will surely resonate with both new and experienced coaches. Let's jump right in!

Top 10 Takeaways from Jean Ashen

• Coaches as influencers: Jean emphasizes the importance of coaches as influencers in their athletes' lives. They have the power to plant seeds of encouragement and motivate them to pursue new learning opportunities.

• The evolving role of coaches: The role of coaches has changed over the years, with communication becoming faster and expectations higher. Coaches need to stay updated and be prepared for out-of-the-ordinary situations that may arise.

• The impact of Title IX: Jean Ashen reflects on how the passage of Title IX in 1972, which prohibited sex discrimination in education, played a significant role in her journey as a coach and her commitment to promoting gender equality in sports.

• The power of communication: Jean discusses how communication in the coaching world has evolved, from relying on hardwired telephones to the instant accessibility of email and text messages. Coaches need to be proactive in sharing information and coordinating responses efficiently.

• Encouraging a love for learning: Jean's coaching approach involves not only guiding athletes but also instilling a love for continuous learning. She values providing the "cliff notes" version of new information while encouraging athletes to delve deeper into their areas of interest.

• The luxury of experience: Having spent years hiring new coaches, Jean acknowledges that the experience of becoming a head coach for the first time differs for each person. However, the deep understanding of the hiring process allows her to offer valuable insights and mentorship to aspiring coaches.

• Planting seeds for growth: Planting seeds is Jean's way of nurturing and fostering growth in her athletes. She provides guidance and sets the foundation for them to flourish, hoping that the seeds she plants will eventually bear fruit.

• The passion of a coach: Amidst the administrative responsibilities of being an athletic director, Jean still considers herself a coach at heart. She finds joy in guiding and leading fellow adults to help them succeed in their coaching roles.

• The power of teamwork: Jean emphasizes the importance of teamwork in both coaching and administration. Effective communication, trust, and collaboration are the cornerstones of successful coaching and administrative endeavors.

• Adapting to change: Throughout her career, Jean Ashen has witnessed significant changes in coaching and administration. However, her ability to adapt to these changes and embrace new methods of communication and information-sharing has been vital in her continued success.

We hope you found these takeaways from Jean Ashen's interview enlightening and thought-provoking. Whether you are a seasoned coach or just starting, remember the impact you can have on your athletes' lives. If you'd like to delve deeper into these topics or share your own experiences, we invite you to subscribe to our blog, leave your comments, and join the conversation. Twitter

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Best regards, Justin Clymo

What Keeps Contacts Going.