The Bruins Athletics Department is blessed to have eight head coaches across 13 teams that make a massive difference in the lives of student-athletes every year. They see coaching as a privilege and immense opportunity given by God. Student-athletes from each team shared some words about their coach below.
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Ryan Pierce, Baseball, on Head Coach Kyle Morrison:
"Coach K is one of the kindest, most sacrificial leaders I know. He doesn't ask for anything that he isn't willing to do himself. He pushes us towards greatness, not just in baseball, but in our academics and our spiritual walk. He finds ways to push each individual player not with a cookie cutter formula but by making an intentional connection with each of his players. The relationship I have with Coach K is one I will cherish for the rest of my life."
Jane Farr, Women's Soccer, on Head Coach Chris Carmichael:
"Coach Carmichael has always pushed us to do our best, and he continues to believe in us as a team. I have really appreciated how open he is to players coming and talking to him with any concerns on or off the field. Especially as a STEM student, he has been very understanding of my course load and other commitments — there are not many other colleges where I would be allowed to be pre-med and play soccer."
Jacob Doshier, Men's XC/TF, on Head Coach Ken Roach:
"Coach Roach is the only cross country coach I have ever had and he truly made a great impact on my life for believing in me when no one else did. Coming in to cross country never competitively running before would have turned other coaches away but Coach Roach believed in me and I would not be where I am today in the sport of running if it wouldn't have been for him."
Carter McCarn, Men's Basketball, on Head Coach Tony Miller:
"Coach Miller has been a privilege to play for, and I am extremely grateful for the way he not only pushes us to be the best athletes and players we can be, but how he works to develop our character and teach us more about the Lord."
Stefanie Burke, Women's Volleyball, on Head Coach Anthony Bennett:
"Coach Ant has made a huge impact on me in such a short amount of time! He has stepped into his new role so well and has never given up on us, even when we make it hard on him. He has been teaching us new skills to improve our game and has completely turned this team around from the beginning of the season! He has been a mentor, both on and off the court, and is always there for us whether we need a laugh or advice of any kind."
Eli DeVaughn, Men's Golf, on Head Coach Denny Scott:
"Coach Scott's coaching style has allowed me to trust my abilities within tournaments and keep a positive mindset by setting mini goals for me throughout the round. I can relate to him with basketball and golf, and watching him coach his players and run a team has set a great example for me in my future coaching aspirations."
Caitlyn Dickerson, Women's Basketball, on Head Coach Mike LeViere:
"Coach Leviere has shown me what it means to genuinely care about the people you lead. I know that if I ever needed him, he would drop whatever he was doing to come help me. Whether it is something as simple as helping fix the AC in my car or being there when I need advice, he has always made me feel like I can count on him. He has also taught me a lot about leadership and the importance of leading by example. His influence on me has gone far beyond basketball, and I am very thankful for the impact he has had on my life."
Alyssa Goebert, Women's Volleyball, on Head Coach Anthony Bennett:
"Coach Ant has become one of the biggest blessings since he got here! He came in and immediately showed how much he cared about us and wanted to see us improve both on and off the court. His knowledge of the game is so obvious when I ask him way too many questions. He is always so patient with us and takes time to make sure each of us knows that he is there for us whenever we need, no matter what it's about. Personally, he has helped me grow in my mental game on the court. He always knows what to say, when to say it, and how to approach the situation. He is the most encouraging person, and it means so much that he takes time to listen to me when I'm frustrated or upset with game play and helps me reset and get back in the game."
Sam Gaddis, Men's Soccer, on Head Coach Greg Fulton:
"Coach Greg has made a large impact in my life with his care for myself and the other lads. He spends many hours working to create the best environment and team that he can. He feeds into us daily with spiritual advice and reminds us that each day of playing the beautiful game is a blessing."
Kristen Dodds, Women's XC/TF, on Head Coach Ken Roach:
"Coach Roach is the only coach I have ever had who truly makes people pause and take a step back. He is always looking at the big picture and teaching us to do the same. One way he tangibly taught us to look at the big picture is by physically taking us to the top of a mountain during preseason and have us watch the sunrise on a quiet morning. Before and after practices you will often hear him talk about not just the workout for that day, but how it will impact us for nationals. Thank you for teaching us to run with intention."
Luke Provenzano, Men's Soccer, on Head Coach Greg Fulton:
"Coach G has been extremely influential in my life, not only as a coach but as a person. His love for the Lord is very evident in the way he coaches, leads, and builds relationships with his players. I honestly haven't had a coach like him in my life. One of the things I appreciate most about Coach G is how close he has become with me and my brothers. Sometimes I think that makes it harder to give him the respect he deserves as a coach because he has become such a good friend and mentor to us. He has helped create a community within our team that is unlike any team I have ever been a part of. We aren't just a group of players—we are a team striving together toward a common goal, where everyone has value and everyone has a role to play. There is a genuine sense of unity and brotherhood without the toxicity or selfishness that can sometimes come with competitive sports. Coach G has done a great job of creating an environment where we can push each other, care for each other, and work toward something bigger than ourselves. I'm extremely thankful for the influence he has had on me, both on and off the field, and I know the impact he has had on my life will go far beyond soccer."
Trevor Gearhart, Men's Basketball, on Head Coach Tony Miller:
"It's been great to get to see Coach Miller develop and define our team's identity in his first two years. It's awesome to get to learn the game at a higher level through his coaching. I'm grateful for the way he has cultivated our team into a family. Coach Miller is the reason I came to BJU and it is a really special opportunity to get to play for one of the best coaches in the business."
Shannon Miller, Women's Soccer, on Head Coach Chris Carmichael:
"Coach Carmichael is one of a kind. You could ask any player on our team and I guarantee they would say the same kind of things. The program history itself speaks volumes of his successful coaching style and talent, but to us he's much more than a coach that can get the results he wants. Coach's style is indirect, possession-based, and he loves beautiful soccer. He demands that we play to this standard, but he also fully supports each individual's unique skills and qualities they bring to the team. In my almost four years of playing for him, he's never discouraged me in my ability one time. I can honestly say my confidence and soccer IQ as a player has only gone up since coming in as a freshman, and I credit much of that to Coach and the culture he has cultivated here. He studies the game and teaches us constantly. Unlike many collegiate athletic environments, Coach Carmichael always puts us individuals first and cares first and foremost about our experience and growth as players and people. After tough games, we aren't coddled, we're held accountable—but that's because he holds us to the right standards. Coach is always concerned with the well-being of his players physically and mentally, and has personally always checked on me whether it's practices or games. Coach Carmichael does an excellent job of exemplifying self-discipline and excellence not just for ourselves but primarily for our God. He has been an incredible mentor and coach to me these past four years, and I, like the rest of our team, have great respect for him."
Dakota Holt, Men's Golf, on Head Coach Denny Scott:
"Coach Scott's coaching has meant the world to me. I came to golf camp as a senior in high school and happened to get paired up in the same group as Coach that day. From the second I started talking to him, I could tell he was the wisest and most tender-hearted person I had ever met. Coach has made a wonderful difference in my spiritual and mental maturity. Â As a freshman I struggled with the mental aspect of golf and he helped me immensely during that time. Since then I have grown closer and closer to the Lord every day, and I am so thankful that Coach has taken the time to help direct me in my relationship with God."
Cayden Kennedy, Baseball, on Head Coach Kyle Morrison:
"Coach K's coaching has meant so much to me over these past 2 years. He has not only made me into a better player, but also impacted my everyday life. His coaching ability goes deeper than just baseball. He has provided everyday examples of how to become a great husband, father, and Christian. I am extremely grateful for him."
Jenna Brooks, Women's Basketball, on Head Coach Mike LeViere:
"Coach LeViere has had a big impact on my life, both on and off the court. He has pushed my teammates and me to really consider our "why", why we play basketball and what our purpose is as Christians. He emphasizes that success is about so much more than what happens on the court, and he has challenged us to think about what success truly means in basketball and in life. I've really enjoyed playing for him and being a part of this team. Coach has cultivated an environment that feels like family, and that has made being a part of this program really special to me. I have a lot of respect for him because he is knowledgeable, understanding, and genuinely funny. He has made a meaningful difference in my experience as an athlete and has helped me see basketball as an opportunity to grow not only as a player, but also as a person and as a Christian.
Inside of Bruin Nation each year, more and more student-athletes are directly impacted by the Christ-centered coaching that they receive while pursuing excellence in their sport. They learn that while success of the court, field, track, or course is important to chase, character and Christlikeness extends further into life.
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