More often than not coaches and their teams are judged on wins and losses, and Marin Catholic-Kentfield girls volleyball head coach Jake Spain has constantly produced winners, but when it comes to being named a California Interscholastic Federation Model Coach Award Winner it goes far beyond kills and blocks.
In a CIF press release issued last week it was announced that Spain, of the CIF North Coast Section, was indeed one of 12 coaches to win the states’ most prestigious award for coaches for the 2021-22 school year.
Three CIF sections, Central Coast, Oakland, and San Francisco were not represented. The CIF Central, Los Angeles City, San Diego, Sac-Joaquin, and Southern Sections each had two winners. Only the CIF North Coast and Northern Sections had a lone winner, but the NCS has 155 schools to 73 for the Northern Section, and a good number of those are smaller schools that don’t field teams in every one of the 20 CIF approved sports.
Spain, who took the Marin Catholic helm for the 2012-13 season, has compiled a 265-66 record in nine seasons but not including 2020-21 when the Wildcats only played three games with a 1-2 record.
His first two years didn’t produce a CIF North Coast Section championship, but after capturing the CIFNCS Division II championship this past season, Spain’s team kept a streak of seven straight section titles, not including 2020-21 when the NCS did not hold section playoffs. The 2019-20 team won the state CIF Northern Regional Open Division championship before falling to SoCal powerhouse Torrey Pines-San Diego in the CIF Open Division state championship.
After winning the NCS D2 title this past season Spain’s Wildcats suffered a 3-2 loss to St. Francis-Mountain View in the CIF Open NorCals to end their season.
Obviously Spain is a proven winner, but that isn’t even in the criteria for being named a Model Coach winner. According to the CIF press release:
Now in its 21st year, the CIF Model Coach Award program is designed to recognize coaches who have served as positive role models in their schools and communities, and who have exhibited the traits apparent in the 16 principles of Pursuing Victory with Honorsm.
A model coach demonstrates and teaches the six core ethical values: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and good citizenship (the “Six Pillars of Character”). The CIF believes that the highest potential of sports is achieved when teachers/coaches consciously Teach, Enforce, Advocate, and Model (T.E.A.M.) these
values and are committed to the ideal of Pursuing Victory with Honorsm.
As the girls volleyball coach at Marin Catholic School, Spain coaches to impact his players’ lives for the next 40 years, not just the four years they attend MCS. He is tough, demanding, loving, caring, super positive, and instills lifelong values in all the student-athletes he has coached. With trust, determination, and respect as the core values, Spain’s teams have been able to compete at the highest level.
The following are the other 11 honorees with their section’s nomination statement:
Kelly Aguda, University-Los Angeles, Los Angeles City Section, Cross Country, Track and Field
Aguda serves as the cross country and track & field coach at University High School as well as the Athletic Director and represents everything good about education-based sports. She is dedicated to athletics and providing opportunities to participate, and passionate about the life skills that sports teach students. Both on and off the field Aguda pushes the student-athletes to be the very best they can be as she truly cares about student success in every area of life.
Lisa Avrett, Pitman-Turlock, Sac-Joaquin Section, Water Polo, Swimming
Throughout her 31-year career, Avrett has continually demonstrated the “Six Pillars of Character” as she models and instills the principles of hard work and discipline. She is totally invested in the development of the student-athletes she coaches and is a guiding light for the younger coaches as they learn from the valued experiences of a seasoned veteran.
Steve Bridges, Escondido, San Diego Section, Golf
For over 25 years, Coach Bridges has tirelessly put his heart and soul into Escondido High School. He has served as a football coach, P.E. teacher, Departments Chair and Athletic Director. He has the ability to forge relationships that help his student-athletes learn and thrive. Bridges takes great pride in the character of his student-athletes when
they exit his golf program and enter the world in their post-high school endeavors.
William Flory, Pleasant Valley-Chico, Field Hockey
Flory is an integral piece of the Pleasant Valley High School community as a teacher and coach. A driven, caring, committed, and humble coach, Flory develops players into honorable people of society. He has established a reputation as a person that PVHS
stakeholders and students can rely upon to continuously raise the level of achievement and integrity.
Cindy Gurney, Alta Loma, Southern Section, Girls Volleyball
A graduate of Alta Loma High School, Gurney has been associated with the school for more than 38 years and currently serves as a math teacher and girls volleyball coach. Her players describe her as someone who models dedication and advocates for each of them
as a coach and leader on campus. She has a way of getting the most out of her student-athletes on the court and in the classroom.
Victoria Johnson, Mt. Whitney-Visalia, Central Section, Girls Volleyball
Johnson serves as a teacher and coach at Mt. Whitney High School and exemplifies the Six Pillars of Character that coaches and administrators try to instill in student-athletes in the classroom and on the court. Coach Johnson proves to be an inspirational role model
for other teachers, athletic directors, and coaches as she makes it a priority that her student-athletes are rooted in character.
Kirk Klucznik, Bear Creek-Stockton, Sac-Joaquin Section, Girls Volleyball, Softball
Klucznik is currently the longest-serving coach at Bear Creek High School including 26 years as the head volleyball coach and 19 years as the head softball coach. He has created an environment of both affirmation and correction, of respect and rapport, of challenges and championships. Through the years Coach Klucznik has helped his
student-athletes find their inner-strength, tenacity, drive, spirit, and boundless futures.
Victor Koopongsakorn, Birmingham-Lake Balboa, Los Angeles City Section, Girls Basketball
Koopongsakorn has served as the basketball coach at Birmingham High School for the past eight years, leading and improving the abilities of his student-athletes, including life skills. His compassion is known school wide, and many students look to him for guidance.
Koopongsakorn is a role model, mentor, and unsung hero for his student-athletes.
Richard Lambie, Granite Hills-Porterville, Central Section, Water Polo, Wrestling, Swimming
Currently, in his 44th year in education, Lambie has coached eight sports over the years within the Porterville Unified School District and is an exemplar of great teaching, coaching, and leading. Coach Lambie has a true passion for inspiring today’s youth to be tomorrow’s leaders. His passionate support for character education is an inspiration to all he encounters.
Jane Morrill, Scripps Ranch-San Diego, San Diego Section, Field Hockey
Since 1995 Morrill has been the field hockey coach and counselor at Scripps Ranch High School and truly cares about each student-athlete on and off the field. She is more than a coach, she’s a mentor and teacher who is enthusiastic and compassionate. Coach Morrill motivates, builds confidence, reinforces good sportsmanship, encourages teamwork, instills a love of the game, and inspires each student-athlete to believe in themselves. She has made a positive difference in the life of every player who has been a part of her program.
Hector Rodriguez, Paramount, Southern Section, Boys Soccer
As head boys soccer coach of Paramount High School Rodriguez serves as a role model and great example for the program. His integrity, work ethic, and genuine concern for all students is to be commended. Coach Rodriguez is one of a kind and has made a
tremendous impact on the entire PHS community.
