Dominique Sanders! Nique Physique! The Legend!!! What it dew big dawg! Good look on your time today sir. So you’re a coach, trainer, teacher, forever student and all around incredible individual (no cap is how I think the youngins say it these days). You’re in your first year as the Head Varsity Coach of the Nordonia Knights – tell us about your coaching journey up until this point…
I just completed my 7th year of coaching and it has been a blessing in my life thus far! Originally I began my coaching career coaching Freshman basketball at Twinsburg for four years. After my fourth year at Twinsburg I received the opportunity to coach Junior Varsity Basketball at Kenston which was a great program. After one year at Kenston going 19-1 I received my first Varsity Job at field where we struggled, however the kids fought their tails off every single day. After one season at Field I received an offer that changed my life and that was the opportunity to coach division one basketball at a great program here at Nordonia!
How were you able to get your brother DeVon in the mix with you at Nordonia for the ultimate Sanders combo?
The plan was to always bring my brother on board to coach the junior varsity once I took the job! He is a guy who is very intelligent that studies the game. Fortunately DeVon received interest from the Football program to coach varsity football as well. The ultimate blessing came when a teaching position at Nordonia Opened for Intervention Specialist. He did a great job during the interview and accepted the position.
Where do you see the program in 5 years?
In 5 years I see us having a proven program that competes year in and year out for a conference championship
So before Nordonia you were at Field. That was your first head coaching job. What were some difficulties you encountered during your first head coaching season?
Yes Field was my first varsity coaching job and it was a challenge! The kids were amazing and they worked very hard, however the talent level just wasn’t there. A lot of kids started playing ball in middle school, where typically athletes touch a ball around the age of 7-10 years old. As a team we struggled to score
What are some difficulties in general of being a coach?
Difficulties would for sure be the workload. These young men trust and rely on you to put them in the best position to compete and succeed. The task of competing of game planning and preparing for different teams each week is a task but a fun task. Changing the culture of a program is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do as a coach. Change is hard and difficult, especially for our youth, so when you ask a kid to pretty much change everything you’ve learned for the past few years, it provides it’s difficulties.
What is the most rewarding part of being a coach?
Definitely the relationships that you build, and seeing these young men grow every day. Being a head coach is a dream come true of mine and leading these young men everyday provides a satisfaction that’s indescribable.
Do you have a favorite or most memorable moment thus far during your coaching career?
Most favorite moment as a varsity basketball coach thus far would be beating a rival on the road. We were playing Hudson and losing all game, in the fourth quarter we put on a run and took the lead to go up one with 7 seconds left. One of our guys got beat on the last play but his teammate helped him and blocked the lay up at the buzzard to win the game.
What made you want to only coach basketball as opposed to also coaching football like you were doing a couple years ago?
Basketball is the sport that I have the most knowledge in, and it is my first love. Originally I thought I wanted to be a football head coach, however I just simply wasn’t ready. There is so much for me to learn and it would not be fair for the student athletes if I was an unprepared coach. Being a head coach requires a major time commitment, as there is really no “off season” for coaches, which is why I decided to only coach one sport for the time being. Once I get the program where I would like it, then I may think about going back and being an assistant or helping out at the middle school level for football.
What is the ultimate goal of yours as a coach? Do you wanna coach in college someday? The professional level?
My ultimate goal is to become a state champion! I would love to coach college and professionally one day if the opportunity presents itself.
Are you the best dressed coach in the state of Ohio?
I am not the best dressed coach in Ohio, there are many coaches who wear suits every game. However I do have the most swagger. LOL!
Who would you say is your favorite coach that you’ve had as an athlete?
Don Jones and Bob Pacsi, both coached me in high school. Coach Jones is also on the staff here at Nordonia!
Who is your favorite coach of all time at the collegiate and professional levels?
My favorite coach of all time is Coach K from Duke. I love how he demands excellence from his players, while challenging them day in and day out to be the greatest person and player that they can be….be “uncommon”
Describe a day in the life of Dominique Sanders…
My life: Wake up at 5:30 AM to Eat Breakfast, Teach from 7:00-2:30 pm. Basketball from 2:45-5:00. Personal Training from 5:30-7:30, and then I hit the gym around 8 pm! BUSY GUY!
How about training and competing in your own area – do you plan on competing in any fitness competitions in 2020?
How about training and competing in your own area – do you plan on competing in any fitness competitions in 2020?
2020 is up in the air, I would like to compete sometime end of August, but I don’t know if I will be ready physically. I have been resting my body from some injuries, so we will see how I feel and look at the end of April. I would love to compete of course
Will you ever do a competition where you gotta wear the speedos?
HAHA!! I won’t rock the speedos
What’s up with buff dudes wearing women’s jeans? (Not you, but I see it quite frequently in your arena)
I honestly think it’s just the style now. I also think people that lift like to show off what they’ve worked their ass off for, so that’s why you see the tight shirts, and I guess tight jeans as well.
Favorite kind of protein?
Syntha-six peanut butter isolate whey. A more healthier whey that I like would be MTS Nutrition isolate whey or Isoflex from All Max
Favorite kind of workout to do?
I love to train Back and Chest, high intensity working out with a partner getting after it!
What keeps you going in the world of competitions?
The desire to win and prove myself that I am the best and that I work the hardest
Does it bother you at all that you’re putting all of this time and money into something just for another human being to judge whether or not you meet their standards?
It used to when I started, but at the end of the day I do it because I love to compete. If I lose to someone that I feel I look better than…Oh well because in my head I’m like they are trippin I know I look better. I don’t need trophy to keep building my brand and proving myself.
What about the other side of training – where your the trainer. What made you want to get involved in helping others better their fitness and health?
I think it goes back to being a coach… I love to see others reach their goals and improve. You see it in their face, when they lose weight or accomplish a goal…that positive intrinsic feeling is a great feeling.
Do you take on a specific kind of client or can it be anyone?
I will take on anyone that wants to get better and improve their lifestyle. I do take more clients during the summer, however during the school year and season I have a cut off limit.
Favorite food of all time?
Hibachi
Favorite candy of all time?
REESES!
Favorite sneaker you own?
My Lebron 15 Fruity Pebbles
By the way how many sneakers do you own?
I would say around 50 sneakers
What is a pair of sneakers you desire to have in your collection but do not own yet?
The Ipromise Lebron 17s
Who will be your favorite player in the league when LeBron retires?
Dame Lilliard
Best shit talker you know personally?
My brother Tez
Anything else you wanna tell the readers…
Be the Best YOU possible…and Always Do you forget what anyone says or thinks! GET TO THE TOP!
My dawg I appreciate your time – keep handling bidness!
