You have probably heard of John Valenzuela. He’s the highly sought-after coach who completely turned around the Madison High School boys’ basketball program.

He has taken them from a 6-25 record to a 135-20 record over the past three years – two of which sent them straight to the Final Four.

Valenzuela is a man of many hats. Not only is he an award-winning coach, he is a husband, father of six children (No, that’s not a typo – he really has six kids!) and a dedicated pastor. In this month’s article, I sat down with Coach Val to hear his story.

Chris Emmitt: How long have you been coaching?
John Valenzuela: I have been coaching for 23 years in all sports: softball, baseball, football, track, tennis, and soccer, but have settled in and now coach basketball only.

Chris: Who was your mentor in coaching?
John: My mentors were Larry Hill of Smithson Valley who taught me how to love coaching and Gaylord Fenley from Alamo Heights who taught me to love the kids.

Chris: How long have you been preaching?
John: 17 years with my father as a co-pastor and going on two years with my own church.

Chris: Who was your mentor in preaching?
John: My mentor was my dad. He would sit in the audience every time I preached and take 3-4 pages of notes and “coach” me. I hated it at the time, but looking back it is what helped mold me as a preacher.

Chris: Do you think coaching makes you a better preacher, or does preaching make you a better coach?
John: Both. I get an opportunity every pre-game, half-time, and post game to talk and inspire my team. Preaching teaches me to edify and uplift the students. I make sure to take Christ with me everywhere I go, along with the whistle.

Chris: What are your greatest challenges in bringing your faith to the work place?
John: The biggest challenge is that the workplace says no, the state says to be silent about your faith. There are people overseas losing their life for Christ. I just don’t think I could stand before Jesus and say that I was worried about losing my job. The state needs the church more than the church needs the state.

Chris: What most people do not know is that you were cut all four years from your high school basketball team. How has that influenced your coaching, your preaching, and your overall outlook on life?
John: It taught me to never give up. You do not know what doors will open, or what doors will close. Let God be God and don’t ever put Him in a box.

Chris: In pertaining to your career, what brings you the greatest joy?
John: I can tell you that it is not winning a game, but winning kids. It is relationships that change lives. All coaches want to get to the Final Four, but for me the journey is so much more valuable than the moment.