Mike Willahan continues to lead Golden Eagles
HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo. 鈥� For the last ten seasons, Mountain Vista鈥檚 women鈥檚 basketball has been led by their fearless leader, Mike Willahan. Each year, coach Willahan is faced with the same challenge, creating a roster that will compete with the best high school women鈥檚 basketball teams in Colorado.
Playing with heart and desire is all that he asks for. Coach Willahan shows his emotions. You won鈥檛 find him sitting on the bench either, he is always locked into the game, pacing back and forth on the sidelines. Between yelling plays from the bench and communicating with the officials his voice is always heard.
鈥淚 am an intense coach, I wear my emotions on my sleeve, I wish I didn’t, I wish I was a calm coach on the sideline, but that passion is what has made me a good coach,鈥� Willahan said. 鈥淚 am an old-school coach, I love being a part of a team, always have, always will. I love the grind of a season, when I played, I loved all the hard, sucky stuff, the conditioning, the long bus trips, early morning practices, getting home late, and getting up early for class. Those are the moments that if you do those with your teammates it brings you together.
Understanding that the season isn鈥檛 going to go perfect is a huge step for a head coach, especially in high school sports. Every day something new could come up, but that is why coach Willahan is ahead of the game.
鈥淚 believe one of my best abilities as a coach is building real, honest relationships with players, I know I am a hard coach to play for, I push my girls out of their comfort zone so they grow not only as a player but as a person as well,鈥� said Willahan. 鈥淚 am real and I am honest and in today’s “club sport” mentality and so many kids playing in clubs, that’s becoming lost. Being real and honest with players, players don’t like it and parents have issues with that as well but it’s who I am and it’s who I want in my inner circle, real, and honest.鈥�
Coaching his team tough and preparing them for any situation, has allowed for some incredible games over the last ten years.
鈥淲e are playing a top 5 team in Rock Canyon and we are down 7 with 38 seconds left and we came back to win the game. The energy at the Eagle’s Nest that night was awesome,鈥� said Willahan. 鈥淭hen I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the first time Mountain Vista Girls Basketball beat ThunderRidge in school history. That was on a Saturday and the locker room after that game was just incredible. I coached so many incredible players and have built some amazing relationships with my former players, that is what I will take away from coaching. Lastly, I have had the privilege of coaching my daughter the last few years, it鈥檚 been an honor to watch her grow as a player, a person, and a leader.鈥�
Motivation and hard coaching have benefitted the Mountain Vista Golden Eagle鈥檚 Women鈥檚 basketball team. It seems as if every year they are battling for a spot in the state tournament. Along with their team efforts, coach Willahan has helped countless girls reach the collegiate level. Playing at Mountain Vista is a privilege, and learning from a coach like Mike Willahan is even more beneficial. He coaches his ladies to become great players and also great overall people.
鈥淔or as hard as I am to play for and how big of a jerk I can be during practice and games, I will be there for my players, I am loyal to a fault, I don’t hold grudges, and I am real,鈥� said Mike Willahan. 鈥淲e are going to push you hard but we are going to have a lot of fun times, we are going to make memories that I hope stay with you forever, and you will get an opportunity to build relationships with players and coaches that will last a lifetime.鈥�
The game of basketball is instilled inside coach Willahan, and with his hard work and determination, I wouldn鈥檛 be surprised if he had his team pushing for the top spot in Colorado. Be ready for the Golden Eagles!
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