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Interview with Coach Jamie Wellington
Mill Creek High School Assistant Coach
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What do you teach at the Oakland Center, can you tell us a little about it?
I teach Adaptive Physical Education (A.P.E.) at the Oakland School and at other schools around Gwinnett County. In A.P.E. we work with
students who have special needs and modify games so they can have greater success.
How has your involvement in Special Olympics made you a better coach?
That is a really good question. My involvement with Special Olympics has helped in many different ways but the one of the biggest is
looking at the strengths of the individual athletes. All athletes, regardless of the level at which they play; have areas of their game that
they do well and areas that they struggle with. The Special Olympic athletes have helped reinforce the idea of finding the strengths each
player has and finding a way to maximize those strengths so that both the individual and team can be successful.
How long have you been coaching at the high school level?
This will be my fourth year coaching high school soccer, one year as an assistant at Charlotte Latin HS in North Carolina, two years at
Shiloh, and this year at Mill Creek.
What kind of coaching jobs have you had in the past? (club, other schools, rec)
In addition to Mill Creek I currently coach a u-10 boys team at Dacula Soccer Club. Before that I spent four years as an assistant at the
University of Mobile in Mobile, Alabama. I also coached two club tours to England as well as club teams in Buffalo, Charlotte, and New
Orleans.
What are your favorite college and professional teams?
Ohio State University, the Buffalo Bills, and the Buffalo Sabres.
Can you describe how you got into coaching?
After I was finished playing it just seemed natural to go into coaching so I could still be involved in the game.
Who has had the biggest impact on your coaching style and direction as a coach?
That is a tough question. I have learned a lot form different coaches I have played for, both good and bad. Some of the better coaches I
have learned from are my college coaches, Doug Burke and Peter Fuller and two of my coaches from Charlotte, Brian Davidson and Mark
Steffens.
What was your most memorable soccer moment as a coach?
On our second trip to England my u-19 team made it to the finals of the Arsenal Cup. We played a team from South Africa that had some
great players. We lost 1-0 but played very well. The most memorable part of the game was the play of both goalkeepers. When they
shook hands and walked off of the field after the game they were given a huge ovation from the crowd.
What were your memorable experiences as a player in the past?
I have been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to play in some different countries around the world with one of my former teams.
After the games we usually had dinner with the other team which was a great opportunity to meet and talk to people and learn about
different cultures.
Where have you played soccer in the past?
I played college soccer in New York at Houghton College. After college I played in the USL and the A-League for the Charlotte Eagles,
the New Orleans Gamblers, and the Carolina Dynamo.
In your opinion, what makes coaching high school soccer so special?
I enjoy seeing players improve and helping them get ready for college.
Do you have any advice you can share with athletes around the state?
Before you know it your high school career will be over, work hard and enjoy your time.
