Apr 9, 2019
Virtue is kind of that common denominator that is part of all our lives. - Coach John Lamanna
Coach John Lamanna is entering his
third year as Director of Athletics at Ave Maria University and
fourth as the head men's basketball coach. Coach Lamanna is no
stranger to working with a transitioning program. Prior to Ave
Maria, Lamanna lead the men’s basketball program at NCAA Division
III program Franciscan University as its first Head Men’s
Basketball Coach at the NCAA level. Prior to his four-year stint at
Franciscan, Coach assisted the University of California, Davis in
the transition from NCAA Division II to NCAA Division I. With the
renewed focus of athletics at Ave Maria, Lamanna is excited about
the rare opportunity that coaching basketball presents. Coach
Lamanna received his start in college basketball at Washington
State University, where he was a Student Assistant from 2000-2004.
During his time at Washington State, he had the opportunity to work
under Dick Bennett and current Head Coach at the University of
Virginia, Tony Bennett. It was also at Washington State where he
worked with Gary Stewart, who was the Head Men’s Basketball Coach
at UC Davis. Outside of coaching, he is a published author with an
article published by Scholastic Coach and Athletic Director
Magazine entitled “How to Establish an Academic Philosophy as a
Coach” and an article published by Winning Hoops Magazine which was
a comparative analysis of two different man-to-man defensives.
Additionally, he was featured in American Basketball Quarterly
Magazine in an article about how scouting and technology can lead
to success. A Spokane, WA native, he graduated with a bachelor’s
degree in Kinesiology from Washington State University and a
master’s degree in Counseling from Loyola Marymount University. He
lives with his wife, Sara, and has three children, Gabi, Tony, and
Louis. Kathy and John dig into decision making, handling adversity
and failure, goal setting, and deconstruct the four virtues he uses
to guide his coaching; prudence, justice, fortitude, and
temperance. His passion for mentorship should not be missed! If you
enjoy the show, please like, share, and rate us in your favorite
place to listen. Kathy would love to hear from you! Connect with
her on social media @sportpsychworks and through
https://www.kafcounselingandsportperformance.com/contact.