This year, LASA will have two new coaches leading the girls and boys teams throughout the season from Feb. 10 to May 3, John Goodell and Stephen West. Howard views them both as players’ coaches, loved by their trainees, and is confident that both of them together will drive the success of the team.
When a new head coach is needed, LASA athletics head coordinator Gary Howard is in charge of choosing the right fit. By looking at resumes, researching their background, calling references, and conducting interviews, Howard tries to determine the prospective coach’s style of coaching.
“A lot I’ve encountered are like old school, which is kind of like me,” Howard said. “Some coaches are very gruff, and they like to yell and scream. You have those coaches that are attached to their whistle. And then you have coaches whose style is very nurturing.”
Howard wanted the new coaches to combine a deep knowledge of the sport with a balanced coaching style. He explained that it can be hard to handle student-athletes and parents, so the coaches need to be both nurturing and tough.
“[Goodell’s] a teacher and a coach,” Howard said. “Whether it’s in the classroom or whether it’s on the field, he’s going to be the guy that’s going to teach you what you need to know. [West] is a young coach, so he is able to relate to the kids being younger. His style is also nurturing, and he’s also the powerlifting coach.”
Howard highlighted Goodell’s military background which contributed to him being well organized. Even though Goodell did the 100, 300, long jump, and hurdles in high school, it was in the military where he trained his body for distance.
“In the army, running is a part of your job,” Goodell said. “It actually determines whether or not you get promoted. It was very hard for me… I had to train my body, my stamina, my lungs, literally build my muscle to get to the point where I could run two miles in 12 minutes.”
After two years of teaching law, Goodell wanted to branch out. His daughter came home one day and said she was just sitting there and reading books in class because the school was so short on teachers. Because of the shortage, Goodell felt like teaching was something he could and should do.
“I got called here [to LASA], and I love it here,” Goodell said. “We’re very lucky … because you guys are a bunch of weirdos. It’s awesome. You guys are lovely human beings, like 99% of you. There is a cohort that could be psychotic, but mostly you’re just the best.”
As the 2024-25 school year began, some of Goodell’s senior students came up to him and asked him to coach track since they were worried about the program. As he was already a soccer coach, Goodell felt like this was an area where he could help out. He later approached West, who was coaching powerlifting at the time, and asked him to join the track staff.
“Running doesn’t take coordination,” Goodell said. “It doesn’t take some exceptional ability. What it takes is determination. And every single kid at this school has that. Every single kid here has the ability to grind it. And if you’re going to get up every single day and run for a month, you’re a runner.”
According to junior Sankarshan Balaji, there are some concerns about getting new coaches. While the track team has finished first in district the last two years, Balaji considers such an outcome to be unlikely this season.
“Mr. Goodell has never coached track before, and for a coach, adapting to a new team is a horrible challenge,” Balaji said. “You’re only a good coach if you know players, and… [our season’s] not a long enough time to build a connection between a new coach and a player.”
Despite his doubts, Balaji is excited to start the new season. He thinks it’s important for coaches to be leaders and get results, valuing collaboration between coaches even more.
“All of [the new coaches] are LASA teachers this year, and I think that’s going to help foster the kind of community we want,” Balaji said. “Because they’re in our school, it is easier to connect with them. We’re able to go to their classroom and ask them, ‘is there anything else I should be doing outside of track?’ or something like ‘how can I get ready for this meet?’ and that communication is key.”
