Get to know new Poway HS boys basketball coach Corey Clark
POWAY, Calif. — When asked what his goals are for his first year as the boys’ varsity basketball coach at Poway High School, Corey Clark did not want to simply give a record on what he wants to accomplish. “As a first-year coach, I believe you need to set the tone and expectation level. I want to build a solid foundation and establish the culture of this program,” he shares.
Clark adds, “I am a very loud, intense and demanding coach, but I also want my players to have fun playing and take pride in this program. You can learn valuable life lessons through something you love to do.”
He believes many players think they must play basketball because they have been doing it for so long and are good at it, “When in reality, I want them to enjoy playing, and I also want them to learn through that process.” He expands on this idea and says, “One of the ways I gauge how my season is going is by how many smiles I see in the gym. One of the underlying questions I want players to ask themselves is, are you having fun playing this game?”
Clark grew up living and breathing the game of basketball. His father has been a coach for 35 years, and his uncle, also his assistant coach, has been coaching for over 30 years. Clark played in both high school and college. “My dad taught me early on in life you can have a significant impact on providing a positive experience for others—high school students need these experiences as they try to find themselves and navigate through life.
His dad’s wise advice led Clark to both teaching and coaching. He has taught history and government at San Marcos High School for the last eight years and previously coached the JV basketball team there. “Both these venues are such an impactful way to positively influence students,” he reflects.
Clark is excited about this season, “I have an outstanding group of seniors—they are great kids. I am excited for them to establish this program’s culture, toughness and expectations going forward. They will do a great job building a good foundation and elevating the program to where we want to go. I also realize that this takes time, and we will not shortcut the things required to do this.”
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