Jackson McHaney is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Valley Christian High School for AZPreps365.com 

 

What’s better than winning a state title as a high school coach? Winning a state title with your son. In 2019, basketball coach Greg Haagsma and his son Shane Haagsma won their first state championship together in Shane’s junior year at Valley Christian.

Now they are looking for a second.

Valley Christian sports exude high expectations year in and year out with successful programs such as football, baseball, and volleyball, among others.

Another athlete, Vinnie Lagatta who doubles up in football and baseball, also has a father who coaches at the school. Maybe the Trojans have caught on to something.

For Greg, this year will be another championship or bust season.

Greg has won five state championships with the school in his 27-year career.

“He definitely has figured out how to win in his time here,” said football coach Kirk Sundberg.

Winning a state title with a son is not new to Greg.

The coach also won a state championship with his oldest son Brandon in the 2013-2014 season. Brandon also played two years under his father, winning his state title his senior year.

Championship blood runs in the family.

“I’ve certainly learned a lot and made less mistakes with my younger son,” said Greg, who is confident his success with his older son will translate to a better understanding with his younger one.

With a possible second state title under his belt, Shane would hold bragging rights in the Haagsma household.

From the outside this scenario seems ideal for a high school coach to have your sons go through his system.

But, the father-son, coach-player relationship proves to be a complex one.

“The highs are a little bit higher, and the lows are a little bit lower,” said Greg, also athletic director of the school.

Valley Christian basketball has experienced more highs than lows in Haagsma’s tenure.

This relationship between father and son on and around the court can be a huge advantage getting to know the other players and improving their strengths.

“When you have a coach’s kid on the team you’ll have more kids in the gym on a regular basis,” said Greg.

“We have a lot of kids that play multiple sports, so I feel like most everyone really gets to know each other no matter what they do,” said coach Sundberg.

Valley Christian has an advantage. The majority of the students are involved in athletics, and some double up. “Having your own son play is the positive of getting to talk about the game at home,” said Greg, “The proximity relationship allows for more preparation for games. He’s just around the coach all that much more.”

Behind the scenes however, there are some drawbacks.

“The most complex thing is knowing when you can’t be coach anymore and you have to be dad,” said Greg. “I’ve told other coaches who have asked, let them drive their own car home after a game or practice to get out of coach and player mode.”

The two end up spending more time together than the average father and son. Between school, sports and family schedules, this can affect their home life.

“It can frustrate her when we go at it, but she’s learned to go with it and be the peace maker at times,” said Greg when asked about how his wife handles the situation. “She does a good job putting up with us, but also helping us with defusing our situations at times.”

Even after winning a state championship, there will always be criticism from other fans or parents.

“There have certainly been parents that think that since I’m the coach that my kids are going to get to play,” said Greg. “That’s one of the toughest things my kids have had to go through in being thick-skinned that that talk is out there. They have to work harder to show that they’re earning what they are getting.”

The negatives only build the individuals up more, however. Last year’s campaign, and even the 2014 season, has shown that Haagsma has figured out a winning formula.

No matter what the 2019-2020 season has in store for the Trojans, one thing is certain. He will no longer have an upcoming player in the family.

“I enjoyed his junior year more because I didn’t have the fear of him being done,” said Greg.

Greg’s last state championship before both of his sons’ involvements was in 2007. More than a decade removed from that season, Haagsma will have to readjust to high school basketball after his sons have left.

“It’s been a big part of my life to have my kids in the school with me, and I can’t say I know what it’s going to be like because I haven’t experienced it yet,” said Greg.