In the world of coaching, success is often measured by wins and championships. Yet, for Dean Jaderston, the head women's basketball coach at Friends University, even though he's experienced those championship moments, coaching is about much more than the numbers on a scoreboard or the record book.

His coaching philosophy is rooted in a deep commitment to personal development, faith, and fostering meaningful relationships with his athletes.

A Unique Coaching Opportunity

When Coach Jaderston first heard about the opening at Friends University, he saw it as a unique opportunity. Not only did it provide a chance to consistently compete at a high level, but it also offered a platform to engage in authentic conversations about life and faith with his players and staff.

"I have the daily opportunity to introduce them to the person of Jesus and share how knowing him has changed my life. I also get to have conversations about not just being a basketball player, but also living life with purpose and hope," he said.

Returning to coaching women's basketball brought new challenges and excitement for Coach Jaderston. Inheriting a program that had gone through numerous coaching changes and only had a handful of players left on the roster, the first challenge in rebuilding was bringing stability to the program. After having been at his last school for 13 years, he described the opportunity as exciting. "It was a new challenge that energized me. The opportunity to compete at the top of the KCAC on a regular basis while also having the opportunity to make an impact in the lives of these student-athletes was exactly what I was looking for," he shared.

The Joy of Coaching

For Coach Jaderston, the joy of coaching goes beyond the thrill of competition. It's about those moments in between, the conversations in hotel lobbies, on vans, or in the office. These are often the times when genuine, real-life discussions take place, where he can walk with his players in the good times and the hard times.

"One of my favorite things about coaching is seeing players wrestle with tough stuff and all the emotions they feel, but at the same time learning new skills and strategies to overcome those same challenges and to manage their emotions. As they become competent in new ways and experience the team that supports them in their journey, you can see their confidence, efficacy, and worth grow in tangible ways," he remarked.

The Impact of a Mentor

Coach Jaderston attributes much of his coaching philosophy to his college coach, Bud Pierce, who also became his father-in-law. Bud emphasized that people matter more than wins and records. He instilled the belief that coaching is an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of young athletes.

"Bud reinforced in me that our relationship with Jesus is the most important thing in life. He also helped me envision seeing coaching to use the abilities God gave me for a greater purpose," Coach Jaderston reflected.

Coach's involvement in his players and staff's lives goes beyond the court. He explained it this way, "Often the best times come at a hotel lobby, on a van, or sitting in the office and having conversations that you don't expect or know where the conversation is going to go or how it's going to go. You get to do genuine, real-life stuff with your players and staff. Sometimes it's hard. Sometimes it's time for a celebration. Sometimes all we can do is pray. But they all are part of growing together and doing life together. In that process, we get to struggle with life together. We get to work on new strategies and soundtracks. And in doing so, we grow closer to each other."

"You then see them go on the court and take on a challenge that they couldn't do at first, and little by little, they realize they can. We see them graduate and excel in ways that they maybe only dreamed about as a freshman. They become great parents, and we see them making an impact in their world! Once that ceiling comes off, they start looking around at other things they thought they couldn't do, but they now see that maybe they can!"

The Importance of Family

Almost every coach talks about the importance of family, but if you are around the Falcon basketball team for any length of time you will observe that reality in real time.

You will often see his or his staff's children or grandchildren at practice, or in the locker room after a game. Pumpkin carving, Christmas and chili celebrations, or breakfasts with Mama J (Coach Jaderston's wife Julie) are all part of creating a true family experience. Helping his players feel seen and loved is consistently one of the priorities in the program.

A Holistic Approach to Coaching

At Friends University, Coach Jaderston appreciates the entire athletic department's intentionality in developing the coaching staff. The focus goes beyond the X's and O's, emphasizing how to interact with students, motivate them, and raise their level of performance. This holistic model of coaching impacts both the athletes and the coaches themselves.

"I continue to watch young coaches grow in their craft, learning not just the science of their sport but also the art of coaching and leading," he shared.

This holistic approach is at the heart of Coach Jaderston's coaching philosophy.

A Bright Future

As Friends University experiences growth and positive momentum, Coach Jaderston is excited to be a part of a program that continues to be on the rise as well as part of an institution that is excelling in numerous areas.

"Friends University is a great place to coach. On the basketball side we have incredible support from our administration, faculty, and community. We play against some of the best teams in the nation and we compete in every game. We are continuing to excel in the KCAC (we've played in the conference tournament championship two of the past three years). And as an institution, the quality of educational instruction continues to be superb, and our commitment to seeing the formation of faith in the lives of our students is stronger than ever," he said.

For Coach Jaderston, coaching is not just about winning games; it's about changing lives, fostering personal growth, and guiding athletes on a journey of self-discovery and faith. His coaching philosophy continues to have an impact on his players and the broader sports community at Friends University.