Recruiting Simplified Angela Lewis

Angela interviewed Norman Rodriguez, a veteran of over 20 years in the college ranks as an assistant coach and head coach. He enters his 18th season at the helm of the John Wood Community College women's basketball program. In 17 years as head coach the team has posted an impressive 323-212 overall record. Coach Rodriguez is the winningest coach in school history.

In his first season at the helm of the Lady Blazers, Rodriguez directed the team to a 25-7 record and a CCCI championship (now named MWAC), marking the first conference title for any program at that time. That year also saw the Lady Blazers make it to the championship game of the Region 24 tournament, marking the first time that the Lady Blazers won a post season game. Since then, the Lady Blazers, under the guidance of Rodriguez, have made successful postseason play a yearly occurrence.

In addition to on-court excellence, Rodriguez has stressed academic achievement for the women's basketball program. Since becoming head coach, the JWCC women’s basketball program has had 15 academic All-Americans. Since the 2000-2001 season, the Lady Trail Blazers have been regulars in the WBCA Top 25 for academic excellence placing 2nd in the nation in 2000-2001, 13th in 2001-2002, 8th in 2002-2003, 10th in 2004-2005, 4th in 2005-2006, 10th in 2006-2007, 11th in 2008-2009, 6th in 2009-2010, and 10th in 2013-14.

In addition to his coaching duties, Rodriguez is a fulltime professor of history and political science at John Wood. He also serves as the Region 4 liason for the Women’s Basketball Coaches Associate JC/CC Board of Directors Representative. Rodriguez received his bachelor of arts degree in history in 1977 at Quincy (College) University, and earned a juris doctorate in 1980 at Washburn University. He has completed extended coursework at Western Illinois University and the University of Illinois Springfield. Rodriguez lives in Quincy with his wife Anita, and they are the proud parents of four children, Shane, Sabrina, Kiira, Kayley, a granddaughter, Staci, and a grandson, Brayden.

Location: Quincy, IL     Level: NJCAA Divion III    Website: johnwoodblazers.com

Connect: IG & Twitter @johnwoodwbb @normanrodriguez 


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Angela interviewed Kari Kerkhoff who is currently in her third season as head women's basketball coach at McKendree University.

Kerkhoff joined McKendree after serving as associate head coach and recruiting coordinator at NCAA Division I Southern Illinois University Edwardsville for three seasons. In her last season the Cougars finished second in the Ohio Valley Conference regular season with a 13-3 record and ended their season in the semifinals of the OVC tournament with an overall record of 19-12. Their 19 wins and 13 league victories this season were both the best in program history.

Prior to her three seasons at SIUE, Kerkhoff served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Bradley University for six seasons. During her time with the program, the Braves set program records with 21 wins during the 2008-09 season and 75 wins from 2008-12, while making their first postseason appearance in 2009-10 to go along with a program-best third place finish in the Missouri Valley Conference.

Kerkhoff also spent time as an assistant coach at Elon University in Elon, N.C. from 2005-06, and at Michigan Tech University from 2003-2005. During her time at Michigan Tech, the Huskies finished in third place in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with a 15-3 record and qualified for the NCAA Division II Tournament with an overall mark of 21-8.

Kerkhoff graduated from the University of Nebraska Omaha in 2002 with her B.S. in Secondary Education specializing in Physical/Health Education, and was a four-year letterwinner for the Mavericks.

Location: Lebanon, IL    Level: NCAA Division II  Website: mckbearcats.com

Connect: Twitter @CoachK_40  @McKendreeWBB


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Angela interviews  Jay Jenkins the Head Women's Basketball Coach at Kaskaskia College.
Coach J (as he is called) began his career as a Junior High Coach and quickly moved to assistant coach at Broadmoor High (Baton Rouge, LA) in 2013. In 2014, he began his first Head Coaching job at Bethany Christian Academy. After one productive season, he earned an opportunity to restart the basketball program at Kansas Christian College in Overland Park, Kansas.
​He earned his degree in 2013 from Liberty University Online, where he was an entrepreneur while graduating with a 3.5 GPA. In 2015 while being a teacher and coach, he earned a Master's Degree, also from Liberty University Online. Coach J played college basketball at Concordia College, Selma 1996-99 where he was known for his defense and hustle on the court.
Coach J and his wife, Daveta, have four children -- Austin, Destiny, Jevean, Isaiah and nephew Quindale.
Location: Centralia, IL   Level: NJCAA  website: www.kaskaskiaathletics.com
Connect: FB- Kaskaskia College Women's Basketball

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Angela interviews, Cassandra Thousand, head women’s basketball coach at the University of Illinois Springfield. She was an assistant coach at Northern Michigan for three years prior to coming to UIS.
Thousand was the head coach at Edgewood from 2009-2016, and is the longest tenured coach in that program’s history. She won 83 games in that span, including a 74-57 record in Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) action.

Thousand was an assistant coach at Carthage College for three seasons. Carthage went 51-28 in that time, and reached the conference tournament three times, including one appearance in the finals. She also coached at MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Ill. for one year.

Thousand attended Lakeland College from 2000 to 2004, and was a four-time all-conference selection. She earned first-team honors as a senior after leading her team to an undefeated conference season and a NCAA Tournament berth.

Thousand graduated from Lakeland with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sports and Facility Management in 2004. She earned her Masters of Education from Carthage with an emphasis in Leadership in 2009.
Location: Springfield, IL Level: NCAA Division II Website: uisprairiestars.com Connect: IG&Twitter uiswbb


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Angela interviews Taylor Possail head women’s basketball coach at Columbia College. Prior to being named head coach, Possail spent three seasons as the assistant coach at Columbia College. Prior to coming to Columbia College he spent three seasons as Women's Head Coach, at Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton High School.

They discuss what it takes to build a championship program and how student athletes can prepare for their futures.

Location: Columbia,MO      Level:NAIA    Website: columbiacougars.com

Connect: IG & Twitter cccougarswbb


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Angela interviews Matt Bollant, Head Women's Basketball coach in Eastern Illinois University.


Prior to Eastern Illinois he was the Head coach at University of Illinois. He was recognized as the 2015 Kay Yow Heart of a Coach Award. Bollant was also the Head coach at University of Wisconsin Green Bay and at Bryan (Tenn.) College (NAIA). He was assistant coach at Indiana University and Evansville University. They discuss what coaches think when they see your social media posts, the recruiting timeline and how parents can communicate more effectively with coaches. Location: Charleston, IL Level: NCAA Division I Website: eiupanthers.com Connect: IG, Twitter eiuwbb FB EIUWomensBasketball

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