ACS: Jason Leone, Indiana University Kokomo Baseball

Jason Leone
Indiana University Kokomo Baseball
Hometown: Corona, California
Education: Avila University
Twitter: @leonestar11
Email: jason.leone [at] gmail.com
Official bio

The moment you first realized that you might like to make coaching part of your career.

I realized coaching might be for me when I coached my brothers’ Little League team with my dad, while I was in high school. After playing baseball at Avila University, an opportunity opened to join the coaching staff and I knew it was what I wanted to do.

Outside of mentors, talk about one way you’ve learned some aspect of coaching.

I learn a lot from the players themselves. Everyone has a different personality and ways which help them learn and perform to their best ability. I find when I ask them questions on how I can help them improve, I am able to plan which will help them become a better player. I have coached in a summer collegiate league where players come from all over to play. I have learned diverse types of drills the players are used to performing and asked them questions about what they like and don’t like about them.

Reading is something I do as well. I am always looking for articles, books or documentaries to help me develop communication and development skills with the players.

What is your favorite memory from a coaching conference or clinic?

In 2015, I attended my first ABCA Convention in Orlando, Florida. The first speaker was Coach Tim Corbin, from Vanderbilt University. Listening to him talk about his team, their journey throughout the season and his experience from years coaching was quite a memory for me. Since then, I have attended every ABCA convention and always look forward to going.

Best career or work advice you ever received.

Somethings I always remember my college coach, Daryl Cronk, saying while I was playing for him was “the only thing to fear is a lack of preparation” and “control the controllable”. I have since used both in my coaching. I try always to be accessible to the players for any situation they may need me. Baseball is a game of ups and downs, I don’t want the players to get to high or too low, but to stay at an even level. I try to be a source of calmness during the game.

Your dream lunch date. One coach. Any sport. Any level. Living or dead. Who is it?

This is a tough question. My dream lunch date would have to be John Wooden. I would like to talk about his “12 Lessons of Leadership”. There are so many ways he impacted the lives of his players, it would be such a learning experience to sit and talk with him.