John Pont

Oberlin Football’s New Head Coach

letes were staying safe while lifting and using proper technique to make sure they didn’t get injured.

What were the most important things you picked up from your role with Indiana’s football program?

I think the most important thing I learned was to make the most out of the time you have with the kids. Being in the weight room, I had very short periods of time that I was able to be with the student athletes each session because they had many other responsibilities. In the weight room, you have a limited scope, but you still want to build the student athletes up physically, emotionally, and mentally while you’re in those spaces. That helped me become a better coach regardless of the division.

What made you decide to come to Oberlin and return to Division III athletics?

I actually interviewed at Oberlin a few years ago when the spot opened up after Jay Anderson left the school. I loved the interview, felt like it went really well, and was ready to come and be the head coach here, but that’s not how it worked out. I’ve learned a lot over these last couple years that has helped me become a bet- ter coach and helped me professionally.

When I had the opportunity to become the head coach, knowing the College itself, knowing what it’s about, knowing the people that are here — like Natalie Winkelfoos and Mike Mancini — and knowing President Ambar’s vision for the program, it was a no-brainer. Athletics that value academics is something that’s near and dear to my heart. I believe in this model and that this program can be really successful, and I want to help lead it to another level.

What is your main philosophy for coaching and leadership?

Building relationships on the personal level and getting to know the individual is the most important thing. Especially in sports, the players often don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care about them. Players will play harder and learn more because they know that you care about them as a person and more than just as a football player. I also believe that coaching is education. It’s about teaching, and we do that by getting to know the kids — what their goals are, what they want to get out of the experience — and tailoring the experience to those goals.