Coaching Profile: Coach Jim Dolan of Weymouth
Each week we will profile a high school coach in the area. Here is our latest profile with Coach Jim Dolan of the Weymouth Boys.
Coach Dolan is in his 7th season at Weymouth. Last season, his team did not win a game when he decided not to keep some players that would have helped on the court, but were destructive to the team’s philosophy and chemistry. He has quickly turned the team around as the younger players from last season are now experienced and the current underclassmen have stepped up their games with his guidance. Currently, the team is 5-4 overall and 4-3 in the tough Bay State league.
Beantownhoops.com (BH): How did you get started coaching high school basketball?
Coach Dolan (JD): Right out of college I started coaching - I made stops at the D3, JuCo and Prep school levels - Since playing basketball at Weymouth North HS- I always knew I wanted to coach at some level.
BH: What is the most enjoyable thing about coaching?
JD: The best part of coaching is working with kids on a daily basis, hopefully making them better people. You always want kids to improve after being part of our program, both on and off the court. We preach a family structure, we talk about making good decisions and giving back to the community. This fall we ran an intramural program with the girls team and we will make a donation to the Mass Epilepsy foundation.
BH: What do you consider to be the toughest part about coaching at the high school level?
JD: I am fortunate to work as a PE teacher at Weymouth, so in addition to the two hours a day you have them for basketball, I see them in class. It is really tough knowing all the down time kids have nowadays. Structure is a great thing for high school age kids.
BH: What changes need to be made to high school basketball in Massachusetts to make it better?
JD: I think basketball in MA on the whole is getting better. I would love to be able to work with my kids in the off-season, not full time, but it would be great to get them for an assigned time in the spring and summer.
BH: Which coaches have influenced your style or philosophy?
JD: I was very fortunate to have played for great coaches in high school, both Gerry Morrelli and Steve Shoff were great mentors to me, not only while playing but when I got in to coaching. Also, my father, he coached at the town and freshman level as well as reffing for a long time. To this day we still break down each and every game-good or bad - he is no doubt the reason I have a passion for basketball, I have been very blessed. On a professional level I have always admired Coach Knight as well as Coach K, you have to respect what they have given to the game.
BH: Tell the readers of Beantownhoops.com something that many people don’t know about you.
JD: My favorite time coaching is with Rockland Basketball, where I coach the 4th grade travel and run a 2nd grade program that my sons are involved with. My wife Laurie is very supportive, along with my three boys, James 9, Connor 7 and Aidan 3.
February 10th, 2011 at 15:48
nice post, maybe you can change your theme and text as well, include images to make it more inviting..