We sat down for the second time with student-turned-coach Jared Yawn. Y'all - his heart is absolutely pure gold. We discuss finding the balance between being a friend and a coach, discovering your purpose and what it's like to work with junior high students. This is one you don't want to miss!
We sat down for the second time with student-turned-coach Jared Yawn. Y'all - his heart is absolutely pure gold. We discuss finding the balance between being a friend and a coach, discovering your purpose and what it's like to work with junior high students. This is one you don't want to miss!
Speaker 1 Hits the mainstream media. Speaker 2 Will like last night you watch the U of H. Kim. No. Speaker 3 Okay. Are you coaching basketball? Yeah. Oh, you are? Yeah. Speaker 2 Okay. So I knew you would start off. Speaker 3 With football, but you're in Nebraska. Are you going to be constantly on track? So I wanted to do. Speaker 1 Because I played track, but with the amount of coaches are coaches, there's no like, money left in the bank for another coach. So I think I'm just going to volunteer my time for that. That way I'm still with the kids and still getting to know it that way. If yours on Aspire opens up, they're like, Oh, you've already been doing it for blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. Speaker 1 Right. It's going to get paid for. So yeah. Speaker 2 That can go on your resume per say. Speaker 3 Yeah. Speaker 2 So today we had Jared Yawn graduate. Unknown And I think definitely the crime scenes with junior high and. Speaker 2 Now friends with junior high coach So last time you were with us you were graduating your senior year, you sat down with us and we had a great conversation and now are you going to. Speaker 3 School? Speaker 1 I am. Speaker 2 I am. So where are you going to school? Speaker 1 So I'm going to Alvin Community College right now. So it's just about 2015, 20 minutes away from the house. And I'm getting general studies, so I'm just getting my basics out the way and I plan to transfer to UHC two years. Speaker 3 Awesome. Yeah. Speaker 2 And you are also helping coach at the junior high. I started off with football and now you're doing basketball. Speaker 1 Yeah. So all of my all of my working for Feisty, I am a football and basketball coach at the junior high. I am uh, seventh period aid athletics at the high and I'm also a substitute for Feisty as well. Speaker 2 Oh awesome. So when you say you're a basketball coach, do you have your own team? Speaker 1 Yeah. So the way the junior high works is, is I coach the eighth grade B team of the eighth grade coaches is coach the coaches at 18 and I coach the B team, but I am his assistant and he is mine, if that makes sense. So we all practice together and in the games he'll help you help me coach and then I have him coach. Speaker 1 So it's really it's a good system that. Speaker 3 Hasn't hurt us. Were you your first basketball game? Speaker 1 I was super nervous, all because I was never the basketball guy, right? Like when football came around, I played football for 13 years. I knew what I was doing. I was confident in everything, but I didn't really play much of basketball at all. And so when I got the opportunity coach as excited just because coaching any sport, I feel like I feel like coaches in general can coach any sport. Speaker 3 Absolutely. Yeah. Speaker 1 It's just there's a there's a method to everything. And most sports have the same mythology other than the actual sport itself. Speaker 3 Right. Speaker 1 But when it comes to like the knowledgeable stuff of the sport, I was super, super nervous. But Coach V has done an amazing job of coaching me while also coaching the kids. And so I'm also excited because I'm learning from him and then going to teach and coach my kids. So it's really a back and forth of me learning and coaching at the same time. Speaker 2 We love. Speaker 3 Coach. Yes, I was going to say we love him. We do love him. He was so good. Speaker 2 Did you see our progressive videos that we did? Speaker 3 No. Oh, Jerry, it's the convocation. No. Yes is when they come out. Speaker 2 Channel two actually picked up our progressive course coach vs and in. Speaker 5 It yeah he was a he was a shining star for sure he. Speaker 2 Was in our other video. Speaker 5 Breakfast club. Speaker 3 Okay I did see that one. You see that now you've got to go back to those right here. Speaker 2 Those were ahead. When were. Speaker 5 They. The very beginning of the year. Yeah. Okay. So I. Speaker 3 Took the. Speaker 5 Teachers back. So like, you know, the progressive commercials that are like, don't become like your parents, basically. Yeah. So this was like, don't be a teacher out in public. So it was so we called it excessive. That's what the instead of progressive they were funny but he he's just hilarious. Speaker 3 You see, like. Speaker 1 He's so funny. Speaker 2 We were actually in Austin, you know, at Tessa mid-winter conference this weekend, taken out to dinner just by a group and they said, Wait, are you are you the one that made the progressive commercial? Speaker 3 Right. No. Nine guys. Why, yes. Yes. Speaker 1 So that's awesome. Speaker 3 Hey, sorry you. Speaker 2 Can't see this, but. Speaker 3 Does he usually do some knee slapping? Yeah. Being from. Speaker 2 Pasadena and Alvin, we get. Speaker 3 Students involved in every day. I love it. Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding. Speaker 3 Sorry, Jared. I love it. I love. Speaker 2 It. Speaker 5 You're from friends. What do you and understands so. Speaker 3 Oh. Speaker 2 How exciting. So now you're in basketball. Is basketball almost done? Speaker 1 Oh, we had our last two games on Saturday, the district tournament. So tomorrow? Tomorrow. Okay, after that will be done. Speaker 3 So the district tournaments. Speaker 5 So you don't go beyond that in junior high, right? Yeah. Okay. Speaker 2 So how has it been A successful season. Speaker 3 Has been. Speaker 1 Super successful. So we've only lost two games and they've both and they've both been in the championship game in two different tournaments. Speaker 3 Oh wow. Speaker 1 Yeah. So it's like super, super good. Like I'm loving it, but we're really excited to try and get the first place this Saturday because we have two second places this year. Yes. So we're hoping we can induce. Speaker 2 So where's the tournament? Speaker 1 It's in Angleton, England. Speaker 2 Okay. So those are we have millions of people listen to our final minutes. So if you're looking for something to do this weekend. Speaker 1 Saturday at 10:00 in Angleton. Speaker 3 Will be playing. Speaker 2 Saturday, 10 a.m. coming root on the eighth grade. Speaker 3 B team. Speaker 2 Take their first championship tournament. Speaker 1 We're looking forward to it. Speaker 3 The easiest place. That's right. Speaker 2 Oh, well, best of luck to you for sure. So we have a lot of different things to talk about. So going from Friendswood grad student to Friendswood coach. Yeah. Why it I don't want to get too much into this question because it's a little bit further down. But what has been the biggest difference like has your eye have your eyes been open to certain things? Speaker 2 Yeah. Speaker 1 Like why oh, so much has happened. Speaker 2 And let me just say this. Yeah. Before you answer, sorry, this excites me because and it's really a shame that we cannot give kids an insight to this before they graduate. Yeah, because would you say you would be a different student or athlete after this experience or to read you a little bit different, though. Yeah. Speaker 3 Yeah. Speaker 2 You know, the typical, you know, typical student. Yeah, But okay, so talk to me about that. Speaker 1 So I think on the on the question of like what my eyes have been open to so many things has been opened in so many ways like there's just and I know so okay, here's how this all happened. Here's our unfolded senior year, second semester, all the high school seniors who played football don't go to athletics anymore because there's no reason to train for the off season, right? Speaker 1 I chose to stay there and help the coaches and assist in any way I could to try and build that relationship as well as learning more so that in the year came and all the coach to tell me, You should go coach, I go coach the junior. I'm like, I would love to like I'm staying home. I would love to go do that. Speaker 1 Somewhere in the summer that fell through, I was told that there wasn't a spot for me, and so my dreams at that point kind of shifted. Speaker 3 I was like, crushed. Speaker 1 Actually, at that point I was like, I'm going have to wait for years to start doing. Speaker 3 Yeah. Speaker 1 So I kind of just stopped going to all football stuff. I couldn't go to any of the summer camps because I was like, at that point I was like, There's no point. Speaker 3 I'm just gonna wait. Speaker 1 The Friday before school starting start on Tuesday, I got a call from Coach Garcia and he's like, I've been working on this forever. I have a spot for you. And I was like, I don't care what the spot is. I want it. Speaker 2 Kid that hit that. Unknown Yeah, yeah. It's just in that for second. I remember. I saw a girl. Speaker 1 I remember sitting in my living room and I got the call and I, like, jumped up as excited. I told everybody I could. I mean, so I finally I worked it all out. And so then I get there and it is so the way that teachers have to learn to communicate to kids is not how people think it is. Speaker 1 Because we as a coach, I understand that I have to tell the whole team one thing, but if one kid doesn't get it, then I need to take the time to explain to him differently. And that's that's what I loved so much. Because as students, we just think these teachers show up. They just do their lesson plan and do that right. Speaker 1 And we just don't see anything that these teachers and coaches do. But now I understand as a student, like, wow, they do so, so. Speaker 2 Much behind the scenes. Speaker 1 To care for every single kid. Right? And I thought I didn't necessarily think the whole thing, but I just thought, like, coaches would show up and coach. And then I get that. I'm like, Man, I'm making lessons. Plans on Monday for my practice on Friday, you know? And so there's so much, so much that goes into it. And a lot of the time what I started to learn is that some days I would get home from college and it'd be like, Man, I just had the roughest biology test ever, right? Speaker 1 But then I'm like, But I get to go to the junior high and do football, practice all that. And so it was, it was just super cool. And my mind started to be, What do I love? And I really started picking up the catch phrase and that catch me with the saying like, what is your why? Like what is what is like my reason for waking up at 8:00 in the morning to go to school is because I'm going to be able to go to the junior high and coach. Speaker 1 So I really started to pick all of that up. So. Speaker 2 So right now you would say that and I would I would agree, knowing what I know about you, Jared, I could see that that's going to be that spark to carry you through. Because so many times we ask kids, I mean, most times we ask kids to major pick a major. Yeah. And go to their studies without really knowing what they're getting into. Speaker 2 Yeah. And you get to experience that along the way. So I could see where that would be very motivational for you. Speaker 2 So what is one leadership characteristic that you have as you're coaching this year that has stood out to you as far as you want in that you are finding out that you need to learn more about. So like and let me give you a couple examples. Empowering others, being more consistent. So if you say something, yeah, you got to follow through and do it right? Speaker 2 Yeah. Making connections with kids. You know, some people would say that's the most important characteristic of a good teacher. Following through being organized, what are you finding that you really need to work more on and that that would really lend itself to your future of being a teacher or a coach? Speaker 1 So I think the biggest thing that I'm working on right now and I think is my age, that kind of the kind of effects is as well. But I'm trying to find the fine line between, okay, so I do think that every teacher and coach needs to have the best relationship with their students. Speaker 2 Yes, I know what you're going to say. And this is my talking point. Speaker 1 My best coaches and teachers, I have been I want to say best friends, but I could go to them as a mother or father, right. For anything. Right for me. I wanted to be that coach so much. And I do believe I am that coach. But there's also a line. Yes. That has to be drawn. Yes, we're here. Speaker 1 I'm here for you and your best friend. But when I say get on the line to run, you got to get on the line and run. And I think that for me is a lot of my age. I just feel so close to them. And I think there is the level of respect that gets lost in transition sometimes. Speaker 1 Some still trying to find that line of being the coach and then being their best friend. But so yeah, that's probably what I'm working on. Speaker 2 And let's I know exactly what you're saying. Yeah. And I probably will not say it the way they don't want to say it, but let me ask instead of tell. Speaker 3 Me. Speaker 2 What is more important being their coach or being their friend. Speaker 1 That's hard. And I think both are needed. Speaker 2 But you can only pick one. Speaker 1 I would go with their friend if if if it gets down to it to where would I rather than be. Speaker 2 Well let let's go over that because I don't think you would. Speaker 3 Yeah well because. Speaker 1 I think right now in my knowledgeable of being a coach and this so in this season would be especially the junior high level and I do think it changes at the high school level but at the junior high level what I rather a kid feel comfortable in the junior high or what I rather him feel comfortable being on the football team. Speaker 1 And my answer would be I would rather be there for him as a kid and be there for him as a coach. But what I'm saying is I'm not saying I need to be their best friends and not coach them. I want to be their coach and I want to be a respected person. But if that makes sense, I'm not sure I'm getting there. Speaker 2 Yeah, I know what you're saying, but I would go through. Can you be a best friend. Speaker 1 Without being a coach? No, that makes. Speaker 3 Sense, right? Yeah, but. Speaker 2 Can you be their coach and. Okay, not. Speaker 3 Okay. Speaker 1 Let's rewrite it now. I understand what you're saying. Okay? Speaker 3 Yes. Okay, good. I would rather glad because I may not even be their coach. Speaker 2 You would rather be their coach? Speaker 3 Yes. Speaker 2 And you will be their friend? Speaker 3 Yes. Speaker 2 With in a coach way. Speaker 3 Yes, yes, yes. Speaker 2 Yes, yes. Because we know you, Jared. The love and the intention, the intentional connections that you will make your students. Yeah, that will come. Speaker 3 Yeah. Speaker 2 But with all of that respect and I'm your coach and I'm here to guide you through some really rough times, right? Speaker 5 Yeah. Yeah. Speaker 2 That friend stuff's going. Yeah. I'm sorry. I just want to keep encouraging you that. And this is a problem for a lot of teachers, especially young teachers, when they come into a classroom. Yes. We ask for all teachers to make connections with their kids. Yeah, but first and foremost, you are the adult leader of that room. Speaker 3 Yeah. Speaker 2 Excuse me. And what they don't realize is the love and respect. Speaker 3 Yeah. Com. Yeah, yeah. Speaker 1 Yeah, I can. I can speak to that now, now that I'm processing the question and speaking to that. So I have, I have felt and seen that at the junior high that coaches that have the better relationship with students are the more straight coaches. Speaker 3 Absolutely. Speaker 1 And because I think it's a 100% level of respect and because the first time you're not. Yeah, but the first time you get onto a kid for doing the wrong thing or for not in coaching standards, it's more of like not finishing the drill. The first time you get onto them, they'll be mad at you and yeah, and every time that happens, my heart kind of breaks. Speaker 3 Oh my. Yes. Speaker 1 I never want these kids to be mad at me. Yes, yes. Like the second time they do it and you get on to them and then you explain it to them. And then if it happens again, every time that you get on to them for the same thing or for a different thing, something happens. And that's why I love coaching so much. Speaker 1 Something happens in their brain and in their heart in their brain. They'll start to realize every time that I don't finish, I have to do more. Every time I don't do the right thing, I have to do more. And so their brain. So it's a process what people are asking of them. And I say all the time when I tell them, if you don't finish a drill, we're going to do up downs. Speaker 1 I'm saying, this is my standard. Do we all agree? And they'll all say yes. And so once they fall below that, I'm like, you, you didn't you didn't accomplish the contract that we just agreed to. And so I hope that within their heart starts to form and shape of, well, this coach is willing to put me through more physical work to get my heart and brain to change. Speaker 1 And so the first couple of weeks I was super hard for me learning that I need to stay strict with these kids. Speaker 3 Yeah. Speaker 1 And for those who don't like none, that's like strict. Strict, right. But like, if I say something, I need to stand tall and. Speaker 2 Being consistent. Speaker 5 And then accountable. Speaker 2 Accountable. Speaker 1 Person. Speaker 2 That's that's where you start to, I believe that's where maturity comes in. Yes. That's what kids go to be adults. Speaker 3 Yeah. Speaker 2 Is where you understand that that's what love is. Speaker 5 Yes, yes, yes. Speaker 2 Love is not allowing them to do and be. Speaker 5 And get away with everything. Speaker 2 Get away with That is not love. Speaker 5 Because you're trying to protect them or to equip them for their future a lot. Yes. I mean, I had the same struggle, like you're talking about things. I was really young coaching college volleyball. And it's that weird thing of like, oh, my gosh, I'm really so close to their age, truly, because I coached I post junior high and high school and really the high school girls, I was like, my gosh, Like I was kind of nervous going into it, but it really was like I remember there was one day, so I coach at a private Christian school. Speaker 5 So there were standards of behavior too, that were like not to cuss, right? So like apparently two girls had gotten into it and they they sat each other in the locker room. And so I had them come early before everybody else one morning practice. And I worked really, really hard. Yeah. And I remember saying to them because I had a really good relationship with all those girls, and I said, you know, this is the punishment for what you've you've done, but you finish this punishment and the slate's wiped clean. Speaker 5 Yeah. You know, and that's kind of like how I, I feel like that was a huge learning thing for me too, because it's like I don't want them to be mad, but I also want them to learn a lesson here and to know at the end of the day, I still love them, right? And because I love you, I want you to be a better person and I want you to be a better athlete. Speaker 5 And it is. It's a hard balance, though, especially when you're young. Speaker 1 Yeah, And I think speaking to that as well, I, I love it. I love my I love where I'm at right now so much because I'm still I can remember everything that my coaches taught. Yeah. And stood so that high school coaches, if you're late you have punishments. Speaker 2 Yes consequences. Speaker 1 Yeah I haven't been After being late to my first varsity thing was a way and more practice my sophomore year of high school. I haven't been late to a single thing since. I've never been late to a class and college still. And like I hate being late. And that's like the life lesson that they taught me sophomore year. Speaker 1 And so now, like, those are the things that I remember. And I'm like, if I can just teach these kids those things, it just it turns over to every single thing in life. Speaker 5 Sports are great, especially team sports. Speaker 2 Oh, good. Well, listen, they definitely give you opportunities to learn life lessons. Yeah. Whether or not all kids take onto that. I do believe at some point in their life they will. Yeah. Speaker 5 Yeah. Speaker 2 Some learn quicker than others. Jared, I'm going to get your book. Okay. It's called Dare to Lead. It's by Brené Brown I think you would love. I just heard recently this week, it's about brave work, tough conversation, men's whole hearts, and it's about being a leader and it's about as a leader. You are going to have a million opportunities a day to teach these kids. Speaker 2 Yeah. That you love them and care for for them. But first and foremost, your job is to coach them, guide them, lead them, and then with that you're going to create everything else comes. Yeah, everything else will come. I love it. I'm going to get you that book you're going to really enjoy. Speaker 3 Sounds good luck to you. Speaker 2 The large print like I just bought myself. Speaker 3 I'll get you the way. I didn't even know a large printed share of them. Like these sports books. Okay. Speaker 2 So do you have and I don't like it when people ask me this question, but you might be one that actually has one. Do you have a story that's happened this year that you go, Oh, man, this was a great, great thing that happened. Speaker 1 So I think so. This happens every once in a while. But the very first time it happened, I think. Okay, So there's there's been a couple of things that I know that this is my job for life. Speaker 2 You're so lucky. Speaker 1 When I know. I just I love it so much. When our first morning practice, I watched. Okay, so at the high school that the coaches wash the towels, the uniforms at the junior high, it's a little different. Not as many kids. So I think we have to discourage Steph, do it. I didn't know that. So the very first Friday morning, I'm sitting there after practice and I'm washing these towels and I'm soon and I'm like, I'm enjoying this. Speaker 1 Like, I'm enjoying washing dirty towels. And now at that moment I was like, okay, this, this, this might be my thing for life. But the one that really, really does is I try to build good relationships with every kid. And so one of the first practices, I think weeks and maybe I'm asking all these kids what they were doing, how their homework, if they're doing the school, what is going on. Speaker 1 And I asked a kid with his favorite part of the day was and he said, going to practice with you, coach. And I was like, is this kid's favorite part of the day? Is is working out sweating, but it's his favorite because I'm there and because of the relationship we built in. So just moments like those have happened over the Times. Speaker 1 So that's probably been really a good one. Speaker 3 That's awesome. I love that. Speaker 2 You know, Kelsey are a big believers and you probably know this, but we're big believers in, you know, God's placed you in the place that you are for a reason. And if you can just continue even on your hard days to, I am going to cry. But you're a blessing. Speaker 1 Thank you. Speaker 2 And can I just tell you now, moving on to a joke. Speaker 3 You are not easy to be blessings for. Oh, I taught sixth grade. Speaker 2 For many years and I loved sixth, seventh, eighth grade. Speaker 3 Yeah. Speaker 2 But they're not like they don't even know. They don't even know who they are. And you're trying. I cannot talk right now. Speaker 3 I'm going, Oh, I wish I could help you all, but I know where you're going. So I'm, like. Speaker 2 Standing, looking. I don't even know where I'm going. Out of the target. See, I can't expect you to know what I'm doing, but you're just such a blessing. And you've been a blessing for junior high kids. One is not an easy role, but so important. And you're. My kids are just. They're lost in general. Speaker 5 It's such a it's like so much change is happening during that time. Speaker 2 It's so confusing, like this being a kid and then knowing that it's time to grow up and be an adult, but yet you're not an adult. But what does that adult look like? You know, Am I a jerk to be an adult? Am I a nice person to be an adult? Like, what is that? You know, who is that? Speaker 5 Well, and I wish like, because no one can see, obviously this is just our voices. But like the when you talk, like your face is literally like glowing, you are lighting like you just love it, which is like that's what you want. That's what you that's the kind of people you want around your kids. And so I feel like, yes, if your child has coach on. Speaker 3 He's in good hands. Yeah. Yeah. Speaker 2 Awesome. So I guess my next question is, do you consider this to be your personal calling? And I think you've answered that. Speaker 3 Yes. Speaker 1 So speaking more into that summer that I stopped doing things, there's been some huge believer in faith, like I just started all of it. I think last time I talked to you, I was like the very beginning. Speaker 3 Remember that? Speaker 1 So when I was told that coaching wasn't available for me, I, I digged really in deep of to my activities in church. I started going to everything, volunteering and working all of that sound like sitting there and I'm like, maybe, maybe I should be a pastor or like a youth pastor because I need to do stuff with kids. Speaker 1 That's, that's what I need to do for life. So I'm saying they're doing all this stuff and then I get the phone call. And so, so many so many signs have been talking to the entire time. And it's just like, this is this is what I'm put on this earth to do. And it's just been so many. It's happened. Speaker 1 It's been awesome. Like, I just love it so much, you know? Speaker 5 So our chicken soup story that went out this week was written by Jennifer Freiberg. She's a teacher at the junior high teacher. Speaker 3 Oh, my gosh. That's amazing. I saw she. Speaker 5 Teaches young life or leads young life, too. So I didn't I didn't know that about her. Speaker 3 But also I was. Speaker 5 So moved by her story. But one thing that she said that just stuck out to me so much was she her her initial story was about going on a mission trip and like they were taking school supplies down and she loves missions and she still takes kids on missions. But she said she realized her mission can be right here, too, every day in her class. Speaker 2 100%. Speaker 3 The yeah, that's. Speaker 1 The another thing that I'm bouncing in and out is I want these kids eventually. I want everybody to come to know the God. That's that's what I believe. I'm also on this earth to do. Being in school, there's a fine line between what I can tell these kids and what I can. I think we all know that separation of state and church. Speaker 1 So there's that then. And so I was so in the beginning, prior to coaching, I was like, the only thing I can do on this earth to, to bring glory to God is to be a pastor or to work in the church. Yeah, but now I'm sitting here and I'm going to school every single day and, and I just finished up 21 days of prayer and fasting and I wasn't eating, so a kid brought me a cookie and I told him I couldn't eat. Speaker 1 It was like, Why don't you want a cookie? Was like, Trust me, I want. Speaker 3 You to get me wrong. Speaker 1 I want it, but I'm fasting. And so just just by that, you know, maybe God had these small conversations and, you know, label and I've had kids. I think I've had six or seven kids show up to my church that we meet at the junior high. And so I'm just like, if I'm not doing the things I'm dating, you know, this is where this is where Coach John will be. Speaker 1 Yeah, if you want. If you want to come, that's awesome. Search Just little small things have encouraged means, especially when they're like, coach, we just, you know, we just lost this game. How how are you not upset? And I'm like, I'm at peace because of this. Yes. My personal beliefs. This is why I'm at peace and I just encourage you to try. Speaker 2 Hey, listen, there is a there are so many stories I want to tell based on what you just said. Yeah, but there is such a lesson in your perspective of why you're on this planet. Sports are great. Speaker 3 Yeah. Speaker 2 But the earlier kids can realize their life can not depend on their success in sports. Speaker 3 Yeah. Speaker 2 The better off they're going to be. Guys, this is great. This is fun. Yeah, This brings us together as a team. Look at the opportunities and the lessons and the leadership. But yeah, if this is what you set and base your life on, you're going to live a life of losses in your hands and you're going to be constantly up and down the whole time, up and down. Speaker 2 So this is great and this is fine, but let's keep perspective on. Speaker 3 This. Speaker 2 Very important a sports, which that's a lesson for parents and for athletes. And listen, it's something that I learned later in life. I do know that my parents believe that, but I don't think they ever really said it out loud. I don't think I ever said that out loud to my boys. We put we watched way too much emphasis on their sports. Speaker 3 And. Speaker 2 It was great. And I assume that they knew. Yeah, but I never really said, Hey, guys, this is fine, but this is not what our life is. We are built on. Speaker 5 A great way to like, fast track. That lesson is to tear your ACL and meniscus like I did and be out on the skin for eight months. Speaker 3 I didn't work real quick. It doesn't make you realize, Hey then what. Speaker 2 Was your purpose in life anymore? Right? It's just based on sports. Speaker 5 Let me tell you, that was honestly, I mean, it was so pivotal looking back like, God, that one moment, like that one second of going down in and and having my whole path changed, it led to so many fundamental things like I do. I do not think I would be sitting right here today had it not been for that truly. Speaker 5 But it was a great lesson in being able to sit on the sideline to be to be humble and be humbled very quickly. Absolutely. And to learn a new role that you can still contribute. That's right. To a team in a completely different way. Yes. I learned the game a lot better sitting on the sideline for eight months. Speaker 2 Well, I don't know about you, but there were some athletes that grew up on the sideline. Speaker 5 Yep. Yeah. Speaker 2 And when I got to college and I had to sit on the sideline. Yep. And I was mortified at how there were a lot of athletes that lived here. And I was blessed to not necessarily live on the sideline all the time. Yeah, but man, when it happens, it's like now, yes, what a great way to live. Now you have an opportunity to learn the sport better, learn it from a different. Speaker 5 Perspective, a different perspective. Speaker 2 Because everybody has a role on a team. Yeah, and that's another great lesson. Whether you're on the sidelines guys, or you're out on the field, you all have a job to be doing. Speaker 5 You're contributing, you're communicating, you're you're, you're cheering your teammates on like that. I mean, just it was so pivotal. Speaker 3 But I know. Speaker 1 You said so there's two things that I got out of that that I would love to speak to. Speaker 3 Yeah. Speaker 1 I remember when we talked to the last last time we talked, I was explaining everything that I do in Friendswood and all these things. And so when we talk about kids who think sports is their life. Yes, there are kids out there who will be in the NFL, in the NBA, and all these major league sides. Speaker 5 A small percentage. Speaker 1 So, so, so small. I mean, what I'm trying to get at as I joined and did so many things in high school that I was so real rounded, the second football ended, my life wasn't over exactly. I still had all these FFA competitions to go to. I still went supported the softball team, the baseball team. I still want to all my club meetings. Speaker 1 I still was going to small groups and things like that. Like went ended. My life wasn't over. Yeah, and I know there's kids out there who I'm not saying that you shouldn't push yourself hard to to get you one go. If that is your one goal, then I want you to chase that for as long as you can. Speaker 1 But also understand that I have so many backup plans. Yeah, and I think that's where people get lost. And my backup plan isn't me saying I know I'm going to fail. It's just what it is. It's a backup. Like I'm going to chase this dream all the way until I can't. And the second I can't, something has to pick me back up. Speaker 5 And the skills you're building in this current phase can lead you into a completely different one right now. Yeah, Now, it was like when I was in college, I played my freshman year and just really mentally had a hard time coming back from that injury and so I decided like, I prayed on it a lot and I'm like this. Speaker 5 I just think my my time of of being an athlete is coming to an end. And it was so weird because I'm like, okay, I have literally played sports since I was three years old. Yeah. So where where is my identity now? And I remember writing about that was like, well, my identity all along should, should have been in Christ. Speaker 2 And so but that's maturity. So that's, that's beautiful that you reach that point. Speaker 5 Yeah. And I was able to do like, you know, you, you think that it's one door closing but it opened so many other doors that I would have never been able to experience had it had I still been an athlete. Because they, I mean they all knew when you're in college and and I ended up having a great a great experience and so many other things that I never would have tried. Speaker 5 And we've had this conversation, Dana and I several times, and we're like, you know, we love our job. Like we we have fun. But really, it's our job just like any other thing in our life. It serves as a vessel. Yep. You know, and so just like what you're saying is, yes, there is a separation between church and, you know, state was with education. Speaker 5 Right? But like. Speaker 3 When you live with it. Speaker 5 You live it out. People see it. You know, you don't. Speaker 3 See you. Speaker 5 Don't have to be quoting Bible verses left and right. You know, God, you can you can live out his love and things. Speaker 1 Yeah. The things that I loved is I was on to talk, of course, but I saw a teacher who whose some of her comments were like, how as a father, how do you do all these things? And her simple thing was she prayed over her classroom in private and I think. Speaker 2 Over like there. Speaker 1 With their desks. And I think it's just so that's beautiful. So like, welcoming him into our presence. Like, I'm not speaking to the kids. I'm not I'm not telling them to do this. But if I've invited him into their presence, something will happen. Yeah, like he'll he'll take care of it. I just have to give them. I just have to push them towards him in a way, and they don't have to be speaking right to them. Speaker 1 I pray for every one of my kids every single day. Yeah, that's. That's how I do things. Speaker 5 And that's the most loving thing you can do. Speaker 3 Yeah, that's right. That's right. Speaker 1 There's just. I love it. There's so many things you can do for them. Speaker 2 Hey, just. Just, I believe just being joyful the way that you're joyful. This is a witness to some kids because there are kids that go home. Yeah. And they they go through life that they don't really see joy that often. So just that alone, they can look at coach yawn and go, Yeah, what does he have that I don't have? Speaker 2 Yeah. You know, and that's just one of the things as a coach, because I used to coach junior high, I would just pray that God would give me the opportunity to speak into those kids. Speaker 3 Yeah. Speaker 2 When it was best for them. Yeah. And, you know, you, you can't, you can't force anything. All we're called to do is plant the seed. And I believe part of planting seeds is being a happy, joyful. Yeah. Consistent, loving human being. Speaker 1 I've seen. I've seen that just my first year. Um, kids are kids and things happen. And I have to be. I have to guide them in the best way. And but as a new coach, I got frustrated with some events that went on and just some things that were going on. And so I took it to one of my pastors and I was like, Look, this kid are like these kids. Speaker 1 These these are the things that are going on and I don't know how to handle them. And he says, Well, how are you towards them? I said, Well, I'm joyful most of the time. Like most of the time. But there's there's times where I get really, really angry and he came to me and he was like, Well, what is that kid like at home? Speaker 1 And I was like, I have no idea. What is he like when he leaves? School is like, I have no idea. I only know him the 8 hours he's out of school. And so he's like, What if the only place in his life that he can go to where there's happiness and joy is your practice, or your time at the high school and you're choosing those short 2 hours of the day to be mean or to be angry towards them. Speaker 1 So it completely changed how I how I was so no matter and I remember talking to my other coaches, I'm like, there's not a day toward day where I could go to them where they weren't going to listen to me. Yeah, yeah, where they weren't happy. I was like, There's a trick that you learn along the way, and I'm just now learning those types of things. Speaker 1 I'm like, I need to choose to be happy. Speaker 2 Yeah, yeah. And listen, don't get me wrong, there are times you need to get on to this. Speaker 3 Oh, for sure. Speaker 2 And then you take them to the side and you put your arm around them and go, Hey, I love you. Yes. And I want you to do this and I want you to master this. So and you have everything in you. Here's something else that I don't think we tell kids enough. You have everything in you right now. Speaker 3 Yes. Speaker 2 To make this happen. Speaker 3 Yes. Speaker 2 You are built with everything you need. Yeah. There's nothing that you have to. Oh, one day maybe you'll be happy enough. One day maybe you'll know enough information. But No, no, no, no. You can have it all. Everything in you right now to make this happen. Speaking that positive, you know, you don't have to always be happy. But They're always going to know that you care about them. Speaker 2 Yeah, that's the there's. Speaker 1 So many things that I that I try to do to let all of them there's not a thing that they do or there's not a thing that I ask them to do that I wouldn't do. Speaker 3 Yeah, right. Speaker 1 Like in football I get down on the ground and do the drills with them. Like I'm like, Hey, here's how we need to fire off the ball. And they're like, I just don't get it. I'm not going to be. The coach just yells at them for not knowing how to do it. I got down and shot. I'm like, This is how I do this. Speaker 1 I do it. And I always told them I'm a huge believer in kids, especially at the eighth grade level. They have everything they need to work at a high school capacity. I believe their bodies may not be developed. There, but their minds are starting to get there. So I do not believe in dumbing things down for kids just so they can look good at that age. Speaker 1 I'm going to push them to achieve the high school level of things. And so that's why I love my vision of because just graduating, I know how they run things and I bring it down here and these kids can run it. I like my defense. I ran this year. Speaker 2 Well, they're so smart. Speaker 3 High school defense. Speaker 1 I ran the high school's varsity defense at the junior high level. And it works. The thing is just investing in the kids, showing them that you care and just pushing them and letting them know that they can do it. Because not once did I even think about changing my defense for what they can do. I'm like, I'm going to push you until you can get it. Speaker 5 Go meet the expectations that you set this article up. Messages for my sister. So I talk ever twin sister. We talk every day and she is teaching special education this year. First first year teaching. She's coach same thing. She's volleyball, head varsity coach, high school in Louisiana. And so she has lots of stories for me. But one that she shared yesterday. Speaker 5 She has some students who really have a lot of behavioral struggles where like there's one in particular, she's like, he just. Speaker 2 Refuses. Speaker 5 To do anything. You tell him to do something. He's literally going to go against whatever you say, Like he whatever just tends to step a little bit. And so she had this like Bible verse posted near her computer. It says, Your own soul is nourished when you are kind. It is destroyed when you are cruel. And she said the student went and ripped it off the wall by her desk and she literally said spiritual warfare was really taking place in room 804 today. Speaker 3 Literally. Yes. Speaker 5 But she said he said, oh, my soul is already destroyed. I'm going to hell. And she responded to him, No, you aren't, because you have a teacher who prays for your salvation. Yeah, I just love that. I loved that. Speaker 3 Yes, that is awesome. That is awesome. Speaker 5 So shout out to Alyssa. Where to go? Are you going to be able to say. Speaker 2 That button for Alyssa. Speaker 3 To. Unknown Say? Unknown I'm also fighting. Speaker 1 For special education? Yeah, I am. I am finding. Speaker 3 That that's what I was going to ask. Speaker 2 You. What do you think your what kind of teacher do you want to be? What's what subject? Speaker 1 So at the beginning, God works in mysterious ways. Speaker 5 Absolutely. Speaker 1 It's beginning. I want to do the coach thing. The history. Speaker 3 Yes. World language path. Typical. Speaker 1 Typical coach. So I'm thinking of that. And basketball season's coming to an end after basketball season on the job because I'm not teach. I'm just a coach and I'm a job. So I'm sitting there and I'm and I'm trying to figure out what I'm doing to get a job just because I need to help my parents in ways. Speaker 1 And so I, I gave money to the church and prayed over it. And Sunday I get a call later that day from Mr. Drew and he offered me an aide position in athletics to watch over a kid who's who is in special education. And he wanted to go to boys athletics. And I was like, This seems amazing. Let's do it. Speaker 1 So just just working with with this student, I've learned so much of love and and what these teachers go through and what it's just I don't there's not a I'm just getting choked up about this. There's no words to speak to it. Speaker 3 I really and I guess it's. Speaker 2 Just me crying. Speaker 3 Over here. Speaker 1 No, I love it so much. And those are the spots that I can I can sub for. And so the days where I do sub, I find when I go on to our district wide way, signing up to sub for classes, I'm like, what aide spots for special education? Can I sign up for it? I mean. Speaker 2 That's not a mistake either. That's not a mistake that, that that job was needed in that moment and you were available for that job. Speaker 5 So you know that you had just given to church. You like those things which which have which. Speaker 1 I have never given prior to that moment, ever, ever. Because it was a touchy subject subject for me. And I was like, I'll just say yes at this moment. I'll just say. Speaker 3 Yes. Speaker 5 Okay, that's showing faithfulness. Yes. Speaker 2 So that's what I was going to say after you said, you know, Mr. Drew called you, is that's another thing that you're showing that is a great leadership ability, is you just said yes. Yes, you said, let's do. Speaker 3 It. Speaker 2 I remember the more you can say yes to things. Yeah, right. I mean, it's important to know your nose as well. Speaker 5 But this is what led him to winning that prestigious communications award. RUSH That's exactly right that we created with Hot Glue. Speaker 2 Which why we give you what is it. Speaker 1 Like the mouth, which is still proudly. Speaker 3 Yeah. Speaker 2 But what. Speaker 3 Was. Speaker 1 Oh, it was a stress ball. Speaker 3 That's what I thought. That was stressful. Yeah. Speaker 1 It's by every other word. Speaker 3 That those are. Speaker 1 They said it's on my desk. Speaker 3 You take care of it. Speaker 1 Yeah. I see it every day. Speaker 3 Yeah, but it's on your desk. Speaker 1 No. Yeah, it's. It's on another award. It's like. Seriously, I like. I like. Speaker 3 On. Speaker 2 Good for our large audience out there. By the way, we have will be giving another round, another round of communication awards later in the year. So those of you that are really trying to fight and get in there for who's our best communicator, ambassador. Speaker 3 You see all the time. Yeah. Speaker 5 So you have a student and a Jared Yawn 2.0. Yet though we really have well. Speaker 2 We do know one. Oh, but we're not going to say any of course mouth that. Speaker 3 Oh yes. Oh yes, yes. Okay. Yes we do. Oh my gosh. But that's okay. Speaker 2 Yeah, we'll find out. I know you're. Speaker 3 On your your seat, so you will be making it easy. Speaker 2 So, Jared, this is the part of the podcast that random questions. Speaker 1 Love it. Let's do it. Speaker 2 Okay, Here we go with the first one. What activity do you waste the most time on? Speaker 1 Tick tock. Speaker 3 And I. One answer around the world. Speaker 2 How many hours a day do you think you spend on tick tock? You can be honest and vulnerable for this audience. Speaker 1 So I'm actually doing a lot better now. Speaker 3 Oh, okay. You're restricting. Speaker 2 Your time. Speaker 1 Yeah, I think I'm like maybe an hour. I think I started to started to get it down. Speaker 3 But what about you, Dana? Something about Jared someday. Hey, but I will. Speaker 2 Only allow myself to get on tick tock when I get into bed and I'm ready to go to sleep. I don't allow myself on tick tock any other. Speaker 3 That stays up in the. Speaker 2 Man if you want to. If you want an easy way to waste one hour tick. Speaker 3 Tock is the way to go. We'll go by how many times you say hey, yeah, twice. Twice. Speaker 2 And it's always like, hey, I know it's easy to I think. Speaker 3 Let it stop. I don't want to make the rest here. It needs to go. Speaker 2 To someone else. Mind your own business attacking me. Okay, so Super Bowl's coming up. Speaker 3 Yes. Speaker 2 Who do you think's going to win Kansas City Chiefs or the Philadelphia Eagles? Speaker 1 For the Eagles? I don't. Speaker 2 See the Eagles. Speaker 3 Going for the Eagles. Speaker 2 And remind me who the quarterback is for the Eagles to know. Speaker 3 You don't know. Okay. Speaker 1 Look at a you know, I'm not a Eagles. Speaker 3 Fan, right? Speaker 1 And so I do want the Cowboys to win and everyone's going to hate me. But it's like I'm a big player when once my team's out. Speaker 3 It's like, who cares? Speaker 1 Next team for. Speaker 3 Taking a Texas team? I would agree with that. Speaker 1 I'm saying all the haters will say, Oh, no, you can reflect. Yes, I can. Speaker 3 Yes, I can. Speaker 2 Oh yeah. There are a lot of Dallas Cowboys fans out there. I don't think anybody's gonna hate you for that. So I did hear on TikTok that have you all seen these? He gets us commercials. Speaker 1 You know I don't think I love. Speaker 2 Oh okay. Y'all need to be paying attention for two. He gets us commercials and it's the Christian Coalition that's pushing out the they're like really cool blue Marshalls. Speaker 5 And you're saying Christian Coalition. Speaker 2 And it ends with he gets an insult in Jesus. Oh, maybe. Speaker 5 Towards the end. Speaker 3 Maybe, maybe. I know. I know what you're talking about. Speaker 5 I actually have these. Speaker 2 Writers saying this is the first time that there are these sort of commercials that are going to be in the Super Bowl. They have to. Speaker 5 Yes, I've seen that. I know exactly what. Speaker 2 You're talking about, saying to really, you know, be prayerful. Yes. About that. Those make an impact. So be looking for those those really good commercials. If you could learn one skill instantly. Oh, I know this is hard. You can learn one skill instantly. What would it be? Speaker 1 Oh, my gosh. Can I get back to you next week? Speaker 2 I know the. Speaker 3 Part one skill. Speaker 2 Listen, skills like, Oh. Speaker 5 Are you think I can bring up another commercial that is going to take time? Speaker 1 I'll talk about, I. Speaker 3 Think the Burger King Whopper offer a whopper. Whopper Junior what do you. No, you know, I mean, we were talking about why. Yes, Shawn said it like it's like after to played videos of men, like after their team loses because they come on after the football games, A lot of times it is like really after your team loses and then they're just. Speaker 5 Sitting there on. Speaker 3 The couch in the commercial Whopper. What for Junior up? Speaker 2 Well, so we need to be looking for that in the Super Bowl. Speaker 3 Burger King, they've been doing you just the king. Burger King. You said Burger King. Burger King. Burger. Speaker 1 Okay, So I have my answer, but I'm not sure. It's like a skill that everyone wants or like can get. I want to be super skillful and reading offenses is. Speaker 2 Oh, well. Speaker 3 That would be a good thing. Speaker 1 People have all the knowledge. I just wish I could have it. Instantly. I got to put to. Speaker 3 Work in. Speaker 2 Offenses but also be too late at that point because you can't communicate that out to your kids. Speaker 1 Oh. Speaker 2 Absolutely. Speaker 1 Everything happens last. Speaker 3 Second. Feel like. Speaker 2 Hey. Speaker 3 Yeah, yeah, yeah. Watch. Yeah, I. Speaker 5 Get with it. Speaker 2 You get tired of football lingo. Lingo. Speaker 3 Yes, yes, yes. Yeah, yeah. But also, do you teach like it's just. Speaker 1 Also, I guess the skill of reading would be one that I because I've lost my love for actually reading books on books on books. And I don't know, I think there has to be a skill of like ourself. Speaker 2 Well, I tell you how you get better. Speaker 1 You just read an absolutely. It's crazy. Speaker 2 I can tell. Speaker 3 You. Speaker 2 Readers, that's part of the problem. So kids who don't enjoy reading don't read, therefore they don't get better at reading. Yeah. And one of the things, you know, Joe Rogan's always said, you know, he's been doing podcasts for like. Speaker 3 Ever 30 days. Yeah. Speaker 2 Well, who would have known that podcast? He said he's not good at it. He's just been doing it a lot longer than anyone else. Yeah. And so if you really want to get better at reading, truly, you just got to start reading. You got to start finding books with subject matter that you enjoy Industry. Just keep reading. Just keep reading. Speaker 2 If Jared if we would turn off Tick Tock at night and just read. Speaker 1 One of these days, I'm deleting the app I know what. Speaker 3 Day this is, you'll be. Speaker 2 Ridiculous. Speaker 3 Okay, so I need you for that. Speaker 1 Okay. The skill, the skill out of all these is self-discipline. I think that skill. Speaker 2 That's a good wisdom. Speaker 1 I want everything. Speaker 3 That's released on all these. Speaker 1 Topics, all tied into discipline. I want self-discipline. Speaker 2 And it's a good one. Speaker 5 I would love to be able to, like, chop like a chef. Speaker 1 Oh, much like that. Speaker 5 Quickly, like teach. Speaker 2 Wow. But that's the one skill. Speaker 5 That's the only skill that I don't currently possess. Speaker 3 So yeah, she's she's hard. Speaker 2 Again, I would say. Speaker 3 Just do it more. Just keep doing it. So fingers, watch your fingers. Snubs. Yeah. I've been practicing to. Speaker 2 Man, that was fun. Okay, last question, which let's see how you do on this one. One thing I know for sure is. Speaker 1 I don't know if I can say that. Can I just say an edit out would be do. If I can't say it, you. Speaker 2 Can say. Speaker 1 It. One thing I know for sure is Jesus loves me. Speaker 3 That's perfect. Speaker 2 I love it. Jared. One thing I know for sure. Speaker 3 Yeah. Speaker 2 Is that you have the heart of a mustang and we are proud to call you Coach John. And we love you. We're so proud of. Speaker 3 You to share so. Speaker 2 Much. I'm sure we'll do another podcast next year. Speaker 1 If we can do this seasonally, I would love it. Speaker 3 Okay, let's do it. Yeah, do it. Okay. Speaker 5 Well. Speaker 2 Thanks for listening, everyone.