DANVILLE, Ky. — When your children participate in sports, whether at school or for parks and rec, you leave them in the capable hands of their coaches. These individuals devote their time and talents to teaching teamwork, problem-solving, strategy, and sportsmanship, plus dribbling, hitting, running, and so many other ways to play any specific sport.

Jason Kilby sees his role as not just a coach but a mentor to his teams. It’s about the love of the game and how they play. We sat down with Coach Kilby to find out more about his winning coaching philosophy for Boyle County’s youngsters.

How long have you been a coach for kids’ sports? 

Jason Kilby: I began coaching Rec. league sports during college. Some of my roommates and I started investing in students and teaching them the fundamentals of games. My first team was in the fall of 1998, then the summer of 1999 while I was on a traveling sports team with our college ministry team. Since then, I’ve coached soccer at all levels and leagues.

What inspired you to go into coaching? 

Kilby: I don’t know if inspired is the right word or if any one thing inspired me. I love sports, and I love people. I’ve had many coaches invest in me over time, from little league to high school and college. From soccer, basketball, swimming, and baseball, each sport encouraged me to do my best and watch what happens. I’ve learned a lot along the way and have my kids. I have the opportunity to encourage them, build relationships with other kids, and communicate the same values and skills I once was taught. I believe in the end, the hope is to impact and change a trajectory of a kid playing to immeasurably more, and if I can play a small role in that, that inspires me to continue to do my best for the next player up or that I am allowed to coach.

What do you enjoy most about coaching? 

Kilby: I genuinely love watching the players get it. You can see it in their eyes when they make a pass, go past a defender or stop a ball, or score. Essentially, all the hard work during practices pays off because they did what you asked them to do and they score or know they caused something good to happen for the team. The look in their eye is priceless, and then they want more or have the confidence to do more. I also witnessed parents get excited because their player or child is now having fun, learning, and winning! It completely changes the game for everyone involved and makes it a great environment.

What advice would you give someone thinking about coaching a kids’ sports team?   

Kilby: I would say, yes, it is time-consuming. Yes, it will cost you something. You may lose every game and think, why am I doing this? But one day, when you least expect it, that player will come up to you and say these impacting words: “Hey, coach!” Those words are so valuable in life today, and I would encourage you to consider the why behind them. Those players say it because you decided to make time for them to have a team, invested energy into them to be their best, and somehow, you impacted them to play sports and be their best. Which, in return, affected a relationship and more than likely changed a trajectory for them. Over the years of being a coach, I’ve learned that it changes you and causes you to understand life values. Of course, we all celebrate wins and losses differently. Still, our relationships with those we call our team allow us to do life together, enjoy laughter during all phases of the game and develop a love for the game that we all can learn and pass on to the next generation.

Thank you so much for your time! Coaching kids in sports is much more than dribbling a ball; we appreciate your dedication to it.

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