Post by Loucks on May 29, 2008 6:28:10 GMT -5
Former Niles (MI) HS Coach Jim Arnold Joins Women's Basketball Staff
Jim Arnold will join his son-in-law, Jody Martinez, at Bethel College to be part of the coaching staff for women’s basketball. Jim’s daughter, Sonya, also serves as one of the other assistant coaches which include Chris Hess (college friend of the Martinez’s during their college days).
“One might think that I am keeping my coaching staff ‘all in the family’ since my wife (going on 18 years of marriage this September) and father-in-law are two of my three assistants,” states Head Coach Jody Martinez. “My other assistant is a college buddy which I think more of as a brother through these last few years because of how strong our relationship has become through working together in the athletic department. All three have great basketball knowledge and Jim’s records speak volumes to his credit as a basketball coach. Yes, there is a family connection, but nobody in my opinion is more qualified in this game than Coach Arnold. His overall record was 360 wins to 139 losses at Niles High School. He was the AP Class B Michigan Coach of the Year in 1998; 7-time Conference Coach of the Year; and 2-time South Bend Tribune Coach of the Year (04-05; 07-08). In his 22 years as head coach, he won 10 District Championships (9 of them consecutive from 1997-2005); 5 Regional Championships; and 7 Conference Championships. During his past 12 years as head coach, his record was 232-52 (.817 winning percentage).”
“This is as excited as I have been in a long time,” states Coach Arnold. “God closed one door, but He opened another. I’m just excited about this opportunity to coach at this level and to be working with my son-in-law is going to be neat, too.”
Jim Arnold will be taking the open vacancy that was left when former assistant coach Heather Huntsman decided to go to graduate school at George Washington University.
“Once Heather decided to go to graduate school, Sonya and I talked about what her dad wanted to do after retirement because he loves coaching," said Martinez. "Once it was determined that this was his last year at Niles High School, I started working on him. I left the position open this past year to see if he was interested. Bethel College loves him. They tried to hire him twice as the softball coach, but Jim is so passionate for Niles, and it was difficult to take him away. He will coach our JV program and bring his knowledge of mixing up defenses to Bethel College. He will probably help Coach Hess with the scouting of teams. Chris has done most of the scouting and player development and he will continue this role but also be in charge of out of bounds plays and help with offensive sets. Sonya does the mentoring and accountability with the players and organizes the bible studies for our program.”
Jim Arnold will join his son-in-law, Jody Martinez, at Bethel College to be part of the coaching staff for women’s basketball. Jim’s daughter, Sonya, also serves as one of the other assistant coaches which include Chris Hess (college friend of the Martinez’s during their college days).
“One might think that I am keeping my coaching staff ‘all in the family’ since my wife (going on 18 years of marriage this September) and father-in-law are two of my three assistants,” states Head Coach Jody Martinez. “My other assistant is a college buddy which I think more of as a brother through these last few years because of how strong our relationship has become through working together in the athletic department. All three have great basketball knowledge and Jim’s records speak volumes to his credit as a basketball coach. Yes, there is a family connection, but nobody in my opinion is more qualified in this game than Coach Arnold. His overall record was 360 wins to 139 losses at Niles High School. He was the AP Class B Michigan Coach of the Year in 1998; 7-time Conference Coach of the Year; and 2-time South Bend Tribune Coach of the Year (04-05; 07-08). In his 22 years as head coach, he won 10 District Championships (9 of them consecutive from 1997-2005); 5 Regional Championships; and 7 Conference Championships. During his past 12 years as head coach, his record was 232-52 (.817 winning percentage).”
“This is as excited as I have been in a long time,” states Coach Arnold. “God closed one door, but He opened another. I’m just excited about this opportunity to coach at this level and to be working with my son-in-law is going to be neat, too.”
Jim Arnold will be taking the open vacancy that was left when former assistant coach Heather Huntsman decided to go to graduate school at George Washington University.
“Once Heather decided to go to graduate school, Sonya and I talked about what her dad wanted to do after retirement because he loves coaching," said Martinez. "Once it was determined that this was his last year at Niles High School, I started working on him. I left the position open this past year to see if he was interested. Bethel College loves him. They tried to hire him twice as the softball coach, but Jim is so passionate for Niles, and it was difficult to take him away. He will coach our JV program and bring his knowledge of mixing up defenses to Bethel College. He will probably help Coach Hess with the scouting of teams. Chris has done most of the scouting and player development and he will continue this role but also be in charge of out of bounds plays and help with offensive sets. Sonya does the mentoring and accountability with the players and organizes the bible studies for our program.”