Weeks trying to implement winning attitude at Gosnell

The Gosnell Lady Pirates may have a new basketball coach, but their coach is no stranger to the area. Jenna Weeks returned to the area after spending the 2010-11 school year in the Piggott school district.

Prior to that she spent eight years teaching and coaching for the Armorel School District. Weeks' final year at Armorel left her with mixed emotions as she helped lead the Lady Tiger softball team to a 1A state title.

"That was one of the hardest decisions I've ever made in my life," she said. "I really didn't want to leave. I had to make the best decision for my family."

Weeks tried to remain in the area by applying for an opening at Gosnell.

"I was offered the Piggott job but I was trying to wait to hear back from Gosnell. They (Gosnell) made their decision but I was alright because I knew I had another job lined up."

After playing basketball all through high school and in College at Williams Baptist, Weeks takes over a program that has now had four head coaches over the last five years but that doesn't stop her from thinking big for her team.

"I want us to rank higher in the conference than they ever had before. So, we're talking about a conference championship."

It doesn't stop there.

"I want us to get to the state tournament and not just get there but compete in it. I think the last time Gosnell made it to the state tournament was in the early 90's."

Weeks has experience as both a coach and player at winning state championships. As a 1994 graduate of Paragould, she experienced a state crown as a senior.

"It was called Ridgecrest back then," she said of her high school alma mater.

"I know what it feels like to get there. I asked the girls if they knew what it felt like to get to that level. They said, 'no.' So I asked if they wanted to know what it felt like and if they wanted me to show them how hard they have to work to get there and of course their answer is yes. So, day in and day out, you have to remind them of that."

One thing that Weeks has started for her teams has been putting them on a weight lifting program.

"I've got the junior high and senior high on a weight program. And they moan and groan but I just remind them that this is what they have to do if they want to get to their goals."

While at times she says that it seems like she's repeating herself over and over again to her students, the idea that she's doing what she loves to do is what keeps her motivated.

"This is just what I do. This is my passion," she said. "I tell them that sometimes I probably sound like a tape recorder. But I treat them like I treat my own children. Repetition means a lot in the learning process. I want kids to experience the things that I did growing up. So it motivates me everyday to see that success on their face."

Weeks said that she has noticed a change in the youth that she teaches and coaches in just over a decade in the education field.

"Kids are parenting themselves more and more," she said. "Now, when a kid misses practice, I have to ask the question, 'why?,' instead of just making them run laps for missing practice. Sometimes they have to babysit their siblings because parents are at work or just not around. Sometimes they just can't be at practice."

After years of coaching sports that she didn't have much personal experience in like softball at Armorel and volleyball at Piggott, Weeks is finally getting a chance in a more familiar sport.

"I had never experienced volleyball before. Never played before. Just to learn a new sport, the techniques and strategies, that's interesting to me. I was basically a motivator because I didn't have the information to give the kids. They taught me more that what I taught them."

While her past success has brought with it a certain level of respect, Weeks says there are a few universal truths about teenagers and about a coach maintaining the respect of their players regardless of other circumstances

"I'm not saying getting involved deeply in their social life but just asking them how they are doing or how their family is doing. If you show that you care about them, they'll respect you."

afitzpatrick@blythevillecourier.com