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Wasilla High School names Jason Marvel new Head Warrior Coach
Coach brings enthusiasm
NEW LEADER: Jason Marvel gets endorsement from his predecessor.
By Ron Wilmot
Anchorage Daily News
(Published: May 5, 2002)
On a recent warm and sunny spring afternoon, Jason Marvel was stuck inside a gym watching basketball.
Such is the life of a high school basketball coach. It's a life Marvel is looking forward to.
Marvel, 27, was named the Wasilla boys head coach last week. He replaces Chuck Martin, who is leaving to become an assistant coach at Division I Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va.
It is Marvel's first stint as a head varsity coach. He helmed the Wasilla boys C team for one season and previously served as a C team coach for two years in Colorado. Before that he was an assistant for one year at Western Wyoming Community College. He played two seasons at Division II Chadron State in Chadron, Neb.
Marvel has no illusions about replacing a coach like Martin, who in 14 years at Houston, Colony and Wasilla compiled a 283-89 record. Martin coached Wasilla the past four seasons, reaching the state semifinals twice, and won two state titles with Houston.
"I'm following up a legend," Marvel said. "I definitely have big shoes to fill. But that's OK, it's a challenge.
"I'm 27. Some people look at that as a downfall, but I'm enthusiastic. I look at it as a plus," he said. "I might not know as much as some coaches, but I've got a passion for the game, and I'm willing to learn it and teach it."
Marvel -- who is not the same Jason Marvel who graduated from Chugiak High and played basketball for UAF -- grew up playing basketball in Wyoming and said his outdoor hoops sessions in the cold sometimes didn't stop until his fingers bled. After his playing days in college ended, Marvel said he missed the game.
"If you can't play, the next best thing is to coach," Marvel said. "I wanted to be around the game."
That's the kind of statement that caught Martin's attention and caused him to endorse Marvel. Martin said Marvel reminds him of himself at that age.
"While he's inexperienced, he has a good enthusiasm for the game. He has a good ability to develop relationships with the kids," Martin said. "Not that he's me, but he reminds me of what it takes to be good in this game. He's enthusiastic, and he has the ability to do the work."
One challenge is getting players to buy into his coaching style after so much success under Martin. Marvel said he'll put his stamp on the team, but he won't make big changes.
"We'll do a lot of similar stuff," he said. "I'm not going to change a good thing." Still, he said, some players have resisted any change at all. "Some players have said, Coach Martin said to do it this way,' " Marvel said. "I realize that, but I'm not coach Martin."
Martin had no worries Marvel will be successful. "He'll develop his own style," Martin said. "Every coach thinks their way is the only way. But I've always believed there are a lot of different ways to win."
Reporter Ron Wilmot can be reached at rwilmot@adn.com.

Last page update May 6, 2002, 2002 ~ Comments? Feedback? E-mail: wasillabb@yahoo.com