Three Years, Three Coaches

By Jimmy Mitchell

SEATTLE- For the O’Dea High School wrestling program, stability has been hard to come by. In the last three seasons, the Fighting Irish have had three different head coaches: Coach Balinbin, Coach Badley, and now Coach Hamaker (last year’s assistant who has stepped into the top role). For a program with proud tradition, the constant change has tested everyone in the room, especially the wrestlers who have lived through all three eras. 

Junior captain Justus De Jesus, a three-year varsity wrestler at 132 pounds, has a unique perspective. He’s the only upperclassman who has competed under every coach.

“The biggest change is the environment,” De Jesus says. “When Coach Balinbin was our coach, we all listened to him. When he was talking, we all listened. Coach Badley, it kind of faltered off a little bit. Now with Coach Hamaker, it’s almost like he’s on the same level as us."

The shift to a younger head coach has brought undeniable energy.

“It has its plusses,” De Jesus admits. “You can relate to him a little bit more. This guy was wrestling like a couple years ago. Everything is a lot more fun. At the duals we’re out here cheering. We need our hype for our teammates.” 

That new vibe was on full display in the season-opening dual against Eastside Catholic, a 41-18 O’Dea victory that served as sweet payback after last year’s loss. Even with the opponents short-handed, the Irish looked sharper and louder than they have in years.  

Despite the turnover at the top, some things have stayed remarkably consistent.

“Definitely the tradition,” De Jesus says. “From the simplest things like rolling out the mats or warm-ups, it’s all been very similar. And the communication with Coach Kohler getting us out to state and all that.”  

The challenges, though, are real. Focus in practice has fluctuated wildly depending on who’s blowing the whistle.

“The most focused I’ve ever been during a practice is under Coach Badley,” De Jesus reflects. “He had that sense that this is when we lock in.” 

This year, with only one senior on the roster and a very young lineup, the Irish are leaning on Hamaker’s conditioning emphasis that carried over from his assistant days.

“You could tell (against Eastside) that we were definitely in better shape than our opponents,” De Jesus notes. What’s new is the technical finish to practice: “It’s a lot more narrowed down and focused to individuals.” 

When asked if there’s anything he actually enjoys about the three-coaches-in-three-years experience, De Jesus doesn’t hesitate: “I enjoy adapting under adversity and the newness of the coach.” 

In a season where almost everyone in the O’Dea room is still learning how to win at the varsity level, that mindset might be the program’s biggest strength. Three years, three coaches, one constant: wrestlers like De Jesus keep showing up, cutting to 132, rolling out the mats the same way, and finding a way to get better no matter who’s drawing up the practice plan.