Mr. Joe Pettinger is the new Head Coach for Varsity Boys Basketball. He spent nearly 10 years coaching at Marist High School in Chicago. Prior to Marist, he graduated from Marquette University, where he was a manager for the basketball team.
Congratulations on the new position and on joining LFHS as a Wellness teacher. How is it going so far?
So far, I’ve been enjoying it a bunch. I’m trying to meet as many people as possible and establish a connection and a relationship with each person. From a teaching standpoint it’s great: I have a couple classes that I’m helping out as a TA as well and everyone’s been super welcoming, friendly and trying to help out with whatever questions I need or have because you know when your new to something you just want to try and do things in the way the school goes about it and just making sure that your following through with those expectations.
What made you want to start coaching basketball?
I knew from the time I was in high school that coaching was something I would want to get into. My grandfather was a men’s swim coach for a long time, and my father was a high school coach as well as a high school athletic director. And just being around coaches my whole life was just something that I thought would be a fulfilling experience.
How did you feel when you became the new head coach?
Super excited. I know that’s what you would expect anyone to say, but you know this is a job that I think a lot of people would want to have as a teacher and a coach and just to work at a school like this you know a lot of people work really hard to get themselves into a position. To be apart of a community like Lake Forest … to be at my age knowing that a lot of years and effort and hard work aligned to this job, I’m super fortunate to be where I’m at.
What are you most excited about this year’s season?
Right now, I’m excited to continue getting to know the people in the school, particularly the student-athletes, and building relationships with them…Coach LaScala did such a great job these past 20 years building a successful program off the court and that has translated to success on the court. I just want to continue to build those relationships and … really keep that momentum going.
Do you ever have a specific structure/ plan going into a new season?
In my head, yes, I do have a structure; however, is my plan what is best for Lake Forest basketball? I’m not sure yet… Truth is, I love to play… It’s kinda what it sounds like… so if I say, ok we’re gonna play this game a four on four in the half court, well the guys you know might not necessarily know how I want them to play… and I’m not a fan of just doing a lot of drills… In a real game, we do not dribble against cones; there is a defense.. Basketball is a game of decisions, so I think it’s important to put our players in situations where they are making decisions. And to find that balance of teaching skills that go with those decisions vs just playing without it… is the balance I’m looking for.
Do you ever struggle to get something out of your players when training for the season?
I think it’s important as a team at the beginning of the year to establish some expectations that guide us to how we’re going to be successful. If we can do these two or three things really, well, every day, then that can help us avoid and minimize those times where that was a bad twenty minutes, hour, or practice.
Do you have any long-term goals for this team?
Yes, one day the basketball is going to stop bouncing for everyone, whether it’s in high school, college, if someone goes pro, that’s awesome, but my goal is to prepare every single kid that comes through our program… to live a fulfilling life. I want to at least steer people on that path once they’re done in high school, to understand something meaningful, that has purpose, and they’re excited to get up and go do every day… I always think of Championships as a goal, but developing Champions is our purpose as leaders.
What is something you find important for people to know about you?
The first thing I would say that I want people to know about me is that I’m going to give this school everything I’ve got. I’m going to work to the best of my ability, which doesn’t mean I’m going to have my A-game every day. I plan to treat them with the respect they deserve. And again, try to guide them down that path and to steer our group towards a meaningful purpose.
