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Saint Joe’s Athletics’ hit a homerun this offseason with their hire of new Girls Head Basketball coach Greg Zhelesnik. He comes with a long history of coaching and a strong passion for the game. He will bring a new look and energy to the Jaguars program as he takes over. Games are set to begin later this fall and Jaguar fans have a lot to be excited about with Coach Z.
He recently took the time to answer our questions which will help everyone get to know him better. Enjoy the Q&A below.
Where did you grow up and attend school?
I went to high school at Bronson High School in Bronson, Florida, a small central Florida town. I then attended the University of Florida, where I received my B.S. and J.D.
Are you an educator with your day job?
I am not an educator by day; rather, I am an attorney with the United States Department of Education.
What made you decide to get into coaching and did you play any sports beforehand?
My high school coaches created my love for coaching. Knowing firsthand the impact they had on my development as a person made me appreciate that I could have the same positive influence. I was a multi-sport athlete in high school, participated in close to every intramural sport in college, and had the fortune of competing with University of Florida and University of Wyoming players during my coaching career.
Where have you coached before?
I was a graduate manager with the University of Florida men’s basketball team for two years and the Director of Men’s Basketball Operations at the University of Wyoming for two and a half years. Most recently, I’ve coached the Lutheran West JV girl’s team for four seasons and, prior to that, Fairview Park JV girl’s for two seasons. I’ve also coached at various schools in Florida.
What is the biggest reason you chose to come to Saint Joe’s?
A strong belief in how Saint Joseph Academy takes a holistic approach to developing its students for college and life. The resources provided to the students allows for intellectual, physical, and spiritual growth. Saint Joseph Academy provides education for life, not simply the classroom, and I wanted to be a part, albeit small, of that culture.
What do you feel will be the greatest challenge, but also the biggest reward of coaching at SJA?
The greatest challenge will be the same as any coach in women’s basketball – increasing the level of passion and participation amongst the younger generation. While women’s basketball is certainly in a great period of growth, it hasn’t had the same explosion of interest as other sports; a challenge that must be addressed by coaches at all levels.
The biggest reward will be knowing that I have the opportunity to have a positive impact on the lives of everyone I have the good fortune of interacting with at Saint Joseph Academy. Watching players grow, not only as players but as people, is the most rewarding part of coaching.
How would you describe your style of coaching?
In a word: Patient. I strive to provide positive reinforcement and encouragement to build self-confidence in players. That said, I also hold those around me to a high standard in expecting them to have a strong work ethic and pay attention to detail.
What can parents of players expect to see from their student athletes as you coach them?
Parents can expect to see players that exhibit the characteristics of thoughtful and empathetic people; an outward showing of respect and caring toward others, both teammates and opponents. They will also see players that refuse to quit, band together to face adversity, celebrate their teammates’ accomplishments, and pick each other up when others are down (figuratively and literally).
Final question, off the beaten path a bit, how happy does it make you to see the overall growth of the women’s game the last 10 years or so, and the rise in popularity?
The growth of the sport makes me incredibly happy. I’ve been involved with women’s basketball for close to 25 years and the surge in support and fandom that is on display currently is amazing. As the sport continues to gain more media coverage, I believe it will continue to grow. It’s humbling to know that I am in a position to help that growth on some level.
