Junior college sports coaches come and go, occasionally leaving programs in jeopardy.
After cross country coach Alicia Longyear was promoted to academic counselor in the Athletic Department, assistant coach Alan Waddington requested to fill in this year.
“She said ‘you are just too busy,'” Waddington said. “And I’m like ‘Yeah, I am, but I’m afraid if we hand it to someone and they mess it up, then cross country could get cut.'”
The veteran assistant coach is known by players as a distance running master. He frequently dispenses running advice that could be confused with life advice.
“I set the pace,” Waddington said. “And I should be aware of what is going on around me — stay calm in adverse situations, distribute and feature people at certain times, make people feel comfortable, trust and give hope.”
Waddington said he wanted to protect the “family circle” the cross country team developed. Though Longyear discouraged him from taking the lead because of his obligations, Waddington said he wanted to ensure the program in takes the right course.
“I just didn’t feel good about giving it to an unknown, even if they had a good resume,” Waddington said. “You don’t know how it’s going to translate in our system.”
This season is Waddington’s first as head after a decade as an assistant coach for Citrus cross country squads.
Not only does Waddington have a knack for leading runners, he is an accomplished musician and has instructed in the Performing Arts faculty at Citrus College for over 30 years.
Waddigton took the stage with Gwen Stefani as lead drummer on the five-times platinum hit, “Hollaback Girl.”
His three decades as a teacher and coach provided him with countless opportunities to foster musicians and athletes. Waddington said successful musicians and athletes all have good mentors along the way.
Runners, students and musicians said they cherish their relationships with him. Citrus student Jackson Rand is a cross country runner who also took several semesters of Waddinton’s music classes.
“He’s just always looking for ways to maximize the performance out of everybody, no matter what field it is,” Rand said. “And I see that consistently in whatever he is doing.”
Students are not the only people Waddington has influenced at Citrus. Assistant coach Diego Lopez will serve his fourth year with the team.
“He’s been leading me in life — been giving me advice from what to do for work, from running, to even pursuing a masters degree later on in life,” Lopez said. “Alan’s just been there every step of the way and he’s been guiding me.”
Waddington said “getting to know people and developing relationships of value” is what he “absolutely loves” about coaching and teaching.
“I never really tried to build award winning bands, but we did (win) by trying to do what was right, and used some common sense in it,” Waddington said. “And I feel that way about (cross country).”
Whether coaching or teaching, Waddington said he hopes students give their best effort because “they might perform better than they had thought they would.”
As head coach of the cross country team and co-coach of the jazz and pop bands, Waddington said he is really excited to lead the groups. He said he wants his cross country players to see sports as an opportunity rather than a competition.
“The thing that I think about is when I was this age, I never thought I could play sports for a team,” Waddington said. “Making yourself go out there and jumping into something and trying can be such a big thing and sometimes you can be better than you think. It could change your life.”
Waddington developed the careers of students who have played with musicians of notoriety, Neil Young and Halsey.
“If you want to do something big, work hard and prepare, know yourself, know the opponent, embrace the adventure and Rock n’ Roll,” Waddington said. “I like the concept of applying those same things to the cross country team.”
Music student AJ Curtin said Waddington is a one of a kind professor.
“There is a huge difference between Alan and other professors,” Curtin said. “And he’s not by the book. He’s more on the creative side. Outside of school, I’ve gotten to play a lot of gigs through him and he’s been really helpful about reaching out and trying to help students do what they want to do while guiding them.”
Waddington extols effort with athletes and band members alike.
“If you want to be successful in life you have to work hard,” Waddington said. “I often view my role of the drummer as being similar to a guard on a basketball team.”
Waddington said he is excited about some of the runners this season and is eager to see how they develop.
“Torrie Freeman has a lot of ability and I think she has potential to be a strong runner,” Waddington said. “Aracelli Cativo also has a really good shot at moving on after the conference finals in October.”
Waddington said he is still at Citrus after 30 years because he tried to make a difference in his student’s lives.
“Now that I like a lot,” Waddington said.
The cross country team hosts the Western State Conference finals on Oct. 19. If victorious, runners advance to regional and state competitions.
