Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Playing Career:
•Florida Southern College (1991-94)
-Inducted into the FSC Athletics Hall of Fame in 2009
Head Coaching Career:
•Florida Southern College (2001-Present)
“For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.” – 2 Timothy 1:7
When Jill Stephens filled the head coach vacancy at Florida Southern College left by AVCA Hall of Famer Lois Webb in 2001, not much changed within the program. Stephens was, after all, one of Webb's pupils, one of the greatest volleyball players in Moccasin history, and a member of the school’s athletics Hall of Fame. Now, 13 seasons later, Stephens sees a bit of herself in the young women she’s training, both in the game and in their faith through her involvement with the school’s FCA Huddle that she helped start as a student-athlete herself.
FCA: What drew you to coaching?
JS: I just fell in love with teaching and impacting young people, especially college students. I enjoy sharing my experiences of how I handled certain situations and helping them grow.
Coaching can still be a struggle for me at times because I was a pretty passionate player. Although I’m the ultimate leader of our program, I have to remember to let the players step in and assume leadership roles on the court.
FCA: Both your high school coach, Louise Crocco, and college coach, Lois Webb, are AVCA Hall of Famers. What did you learn from them?
JS: Louise Crocco was by far the best motivator I’ve ever met. My teammates and I would have run through a wall for her. I learned a lot from her on how to motivate and how to love kids so that they know I care about them. Lois Webb’s coaching style was very similar. She was a very passionate and competitive coach. And, recently, as my athletic director, I learned a lot of the business side of the game [from her]—how to treat people and the management side of things.
FCA: How does your personal faith impact your coaching and your team?
JS: I try to live my life each day in a way that’s pleasing to the Lord, and I pray my players see that. I think kids are drawn to faith, and they want to grab and hold on to something like it, especially in difficult times. We’ve gone through a lot of important times as a team and have grown together as a family.
As a staff, we’re trying to show these young ladies what a powerful young woman can be. By God’s grace, they each have the ability to be amazing people. We talk a lot about healthy relationships, so my greatest joy comes from seeing my players graduate, find a great career and start a family. Seeing all those things come together is a true blessing.
FCA: What’s your history with FCA?
JS: I helped start the Florida Southern FCA Huddle as a sophomore on the volleyball team in 1992. When I returned as an assistant coach in 1997, I became an FCA sponsor. For the first two or three years, we led the meetings as coaches. Now our student-athletes run it. It’s exciting to see how God has worked and made an impact in their lives.
FCA has been an absolute blessing in my life as I interact with these student-athletes and see their humility and desire to learn and grow in Christ.
FCA: What have you learned about yourself as you’ve grown in your faith?
JS: Doubt and fear are things I struggle with on a daily basis, but God constantly reminds me that fear is not of Him. He is love and power. He gives me self-control, and with Him I know I can accomplish anything. The fact that I’m going to be in heaven one day because of my Lord and Savior is definitely more important than anything I’ve ever accomplished as a player or a coach.
*****
FCA Staff Quote:
“Jill Stephens is a pure example of a character coach—investing in her team without the expectation of a win on the scoreboard, but rather a win in the players’ lives. She remains humble and composed as she seeks to serve her team both on and off the court."
-Scooter Byars
Area Representative
West Central Florida FCA
Originally Published: November 2013
Photos courtesy of FSC Athletic Communications