Coaches Spotlight: Potomac Falls' Joe Terango
Potomac Falls high school opened in 1997, and since that time, they have had only one baseball coach. Joe Terango has put together some impressive accomplishments together in his tenure, including two state semifinal appearances. Terango and the Panthers are once again in position to compete for the Dulles District title this season. We sat down with the Panther's skipper to discuss several interesting topics in our Coaches Spotlight.
Andy Hayes: This year's Dulles District race is wide open, who do you think
will be the team to beat by the end of the year?
Joe Terango: At this point we are still trying to come together as a team. We need to get focused on baseball fundamentals for twenty-one outs.
AH: You've coached some outstanding players in years past, who comes to
mind when you think about the best you have coached and why?
JT: Jason Treon, Chris Romanow, Donovan Almond. These individuals were special for the
simple fact that they had only one agenda, baseball. They came to the ballpark to improve
their game everyday.
AH: What do you feel is the most important position on the baseball field
and how do you go about selecting that player on the roster?
JT: I believe the Catcher is the most important position on the field. He
runs the game and must have great athletic ability and leadership skills.
AH: Critics of youth leagues have long said that youth coaches tend to
ruin more pitchers than they develop by overthrowing them. What should
youth coaches reading this do to safeguard against this?
JT: I believe most young arms are injured by improper throwing mechanics.
Overuse would be second. Coaches need to teach the throwing progression properly and use proper throwing principles each day in practice to keep these types of things from happening. Not only for pitchers but for all positions.
AH: The VHSL has recently put a new rule in place that allows fall
sport athletes to practice some in the spring with some restrictions. What
is your take on this new rule and how do you see it helping or hurting high
school athletics in our area?
JT: The more time that athletes can spend in a supervised sports setting, the less time they are going to have to get into less desirable activities. So I'm all for it.
AH: Currently, Broad Run and Loudoun Valley are the only two baseball
stadiums that have press boxes. What could a facility upgrade like this
do for your program and what else is needed to make the experience better for
your kids?
JT: We take great pride in our baseball facility for the simple fact all that we
started with were two chain link fences. Our facility was developed over
the past ten years by former player fundraisers and very supportive
parents. In recent years our athletic administration has stepped up to
continue the development of our field. The last two years we have added
bleachers, a concession stand, restrooms, a new playing surface, a
carpeted batting cage, and a media platform. We are very pleased with
how our facility stands against the others.
AH: The growth in sports performance training companies has been
astronomical in our region in the last few years. How do you educate
your players on the type of training and training companies they should consider?
JT: We run an eight month voluntary program at Potomac Falls that we believe helps our staff
best prepare our athletes for the season. We supervise weight training and offer a winter camp that keeps our student athletes involved for most of the school year.
AH: Your Panthers advanced deep in the state playoffs a few years ago,
what do you feel is the most important aspect a team should have if they want
to contend for a state title?
JT: In 2001 and 2003 we played in the Group AA Semifinal game. Those teams were special for many reasons to me. Outside of being very talented, they epitomized the word teamwork.
AH: Would you consider Loudoun County to be up to par with the level of
baseball that is being played around the state?
JT: Yes! Our county has a very unique overall style. I like to think of it as Small ball and it has been forgotten in many other areas.
AH: If you weren't coaching baseball, what sport would we see you
coaching?
JT: Maybe fly casting or skeet shooting.
AH: What are your expectations for this year's Potomac Falls baseball
team?
JT: We start every year with the same goal and that is to win the Dulles District.
AH: Are you happy with what your program has achieved since you took
over the program?
JT: Looking back on what we've accomplished since I started the program as its first head coach, I'd say yes.
AH: If your players could use one word to describe you as a coach,
what word would they use?
JT: Honest!
