From 3rd Grade Rec League to College Basketball Coach

By: Kolby CAstillo

We are joined by Mike Janikowski the Assistant Men's Basketball Coach at Muskegon Community College in Muskegon, Michigan. Mike has been at every level of basketball except professional and division three. 

It started at 15 years old in high school looking for a summer job. Mike said, "There was a newspaper article in our newspaper saying we need coaches for 3rd, 4th, 5th grade rec league basketball. I never thought about coaching but I thought my mind was really good for the game. It was a handful of bucks, nothing too crazy. I immediately fell in love with it." For many coaches yes they love the game, it goes beyond that though. "I had such a passion to teach, I didn't realize it."

Even coaching the younger ages he wanted to ensure that he was teaching the players the best possible way. Mike like many other coaches looks up to Tom Izzo, John Calipari, and Tubby Smith. Mike shared, "I was sending emails to these guys. It was so funny, my friends would 'tell me you know you are coaching 4th and 5th grade basketball'. I still wanted to teach them the best way possible." Mike has carried this mindset with him throughout his career so far. It is why he was able to go from 3rd grade recreation league, to an actual elementary, to AAU, to being a Division 1 Women's Basketball student manager at Ball state University and eventually get full-time college coaching positions.

After graduating college he was able to get a job at the division two level in Women's Basketball. Then after two years with them, he started searching and landed his current job. With every job it was networking that helped him get there. While he was in College, a professor was able to help hone in on the importance. More so not just networking but building actual relationships.

"Know people, relationships means everything. I try to meet people on more than a level of hey. I ask them how are your kids, invite people over for dinner, talk about more than basketball, and build a deeper connection. When I was in College our professor the very first class I had told us one day to write down the names of people that we could call that would help us get a job. In that exercise, she would ask who had 10, 20, 30, 40, or 50 people. My hand was still raised past 40 people. The professor said that those who have their hand up towards the end are the ones that will be the most successful in the industry. After that, it made me hone in on the importance of relationships." 

Mike took a different approach than most people in the sports industry. After his time with Oakland City University, he knew it was a time for a change. In the sports industry they tell each of us that we have to be willing to move anywhere to get a job. Mike took a different approach.

"I know where I want to be, which is really weird in sports. They tell you to go where the opportunities would be. I emailed every college and university in a 60 mile radius of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Not many people got back to me. I was able to send a resume to a few places. The one person that called me was Jimmy Booth, who is my Head Coach now. My wife and I took a visit to the campus. We talked a bit and I was sold on the place instantly" 

Mike is still young and early in his coaching career. Yet, we wanted to know what his goals were and where does he envision himself ending up in the future. He answered the question like a true coach and it just speaks to what is important to him.

"Honestly, I am most excited about finding the right fit. Right now that fit is Muskegon. It is fit over everything. It is not about the level. I do want to be a head coach one day. Right now, there are still things I want and need to learn. There are aspects I want to get my hands on that I have not been able to. I don't care about levels. Basketball is Basketball."

Mike's journey has taken him on a wild ride. For those currently in sports they understand how much of a roller coaster ride it can be. For those pursuing a career in sports, get ready for the ride and enjoy it. At the end of the day, we've chosen this path because it is what we love.

Thank you to Mike for sharing his story. You can find him on Twitter here.

If you are in the sports industry please email us at sportsasajob@gmail.com if: You want to tell your story or know someone we can reach out to that would be interested in sharing their story.