Name: Jeremy Heizer

Position: Assistant Coach at Eastern Mennonite University — Throws

Education: BA in Accounting from Eastern Mennonite University

Athletic: Jeremy was a 4 x Old Dominion Athletic Conference Champion (Shot Put and Weight Throw). He was named the ODAC Indoor Field Athlete of the Meet and qualified for NCAA D3 Nationals, where he finished 14th. He was 2nd All-Time in the EMU record books in the shot put.

 

1. How did you know you wanted to get into coaching?

I wanted to give back to the athletes and share my knowledge and experiences, like my coaches did for me. I wanted to use my experience to help shape and form athletes: not just in the sport, but as people as well.

2. How did you get connected with your first coaching gig, and where did it take you after that?

I got connected with my first coaching gig from the same college I competed for and graduated from. It took me through two seasons before I had to step down because of my primary job.

3. What is it like to be an assistant coach for an NCAA D3 program?

I think it was a great experience being a D3 coach. I feel like you connect more with your athletes than you could at a bigger college.

At the same time, I think it was a little harder to be a D3 coach. Most of us had another primary job, so we don’t get all the access and benefits that a D1 coach would have.

4. What is one piece of advice you’d give to aspiring coaches?

One thing I’d say to aspiring coaches is do what you love to do. If you can make it work financially, take that shot and do what you love to do.