Coach of the Year: Nate Wiles

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 15:22:49 GMT

By Laura Butler

Mainstream: How has being a coach affected your outlook on teenage athletes, sports, and yourself? Wiles: I think that teenage athletes are resilient. We played in a couple games that tested us and the team stepped up. We also went through things off the field that the team stepped up to and powered through. Personally, I still have a lot to learn about the game and myself as a coach, but I feel that I am successful at helping my athletes to play the game with a full heart. Mainstream: What goals did you hope to achieve this season? Wiles: Obviously, I wanted to have a winning season, division and regional champs. Most importantly, I wanted to lay groundwork for the future of the program. Mainstream: How did you prepare for this season? Wiles: I studied the game and read some writings by elite coaches. I also prepared physically because I didn’t want my team to do something that I wasn’t capable to do. Mainstream: Did you achieve them? How? Wiles: Yes, we have winning record, 11-4, and achieved the number-one seed in the playoffs. I think we are starting to realize who we are as a team.