Name: R.J. Parks
Grades that you coach: Director of FLASH Sports
Years of coaching: 10
What is your favorite Bible verse?
Philippians 1:27- "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel."
What is your greatest memory with coaching for FLASH?
Having the opportunity to coach my son and his friends for many years.
Watching kids being successful at a game that I love.
What do you see that makes the FLASH program unique?
We stress the fundamentals, we have coaches that get to know the players as people and not just players. Our focus is and will remain on glorifying the Lord above anything else that happens.
How do you feel that God lead you to be a basketball coach?
God used coaching basketball as a way to humble me and made me realize that winning at basketball was far from the most important thing in my life. Having the opportunity to convey these messages to young athletes is what makes coaching so fun for me.
What is your favorite college and pro basketball team?
Michigan Wolverines for college and any pro team that has a former Wolverine player on the roster!
Name: Todd Robran
Grades that you coach: 8th Grade
Years of coaching: 8
What is your favorite Bible verse?
Romans 12:12- "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
What is your greatest memory with coaching for FLASH?
Praying with a group of proud, but humble, 6th grade boys after playing in a successful tournament in Bondurant.
What do you see that makes the FLASH program unique?
An emphasis on developing young Christian leaders through the game of basketball.
How do you feel that God lead you to be a basketball coach?
Using my talents to develop young men through a game I love.
What is your favorite college and pro basketball team?
Minnesota Golden Gophers and Chicago Bulls
Grades that you coach: Director of FLASH Sports
Years of coaching: 10
What is your favorite Bible verse?
Philippians 1:27- "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel."
What is your greatest memory with coaching for FLASH?
Having the opportunity to coach my son and his friends for many years.
Watching kids being successful at a game that I love.
What do you see that makes the FLASH program unique?
We stress the fundamentals, we have coaches that get to know the players as people and not just players. Our focus is and will remain on glorifying the Lord above anything else that happens.
How do you feel that God lead you to be a basketball coach?
God used coaching basketball as a way to humble me and made me realize that winning at basketball was far from the most important thing in my life. Having the opportunity to convey these messages to young athletes is what makes coaching so fun for me.
What is your favorite college and pro basketball team?
Michigan Wolverines for college and any pro team that has a former Wolverine player on the roster!
Name: Todd Robran
Grades that you coach: 8th Grade
Years of coaching: 8
What is your favorite Bible verse?
Romans 12:12- "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
What is your greatest memory with coaching for FLASH?
Praying with a group of proud, but humble, 6th grade boys after playing in a successful tournament in Bondurant.
What do you see that makes the FLASH program unique?
An emphasis on developing young Christian leaders through the game of basketball.
How do you feel that God lead you to be a basketball coach?
Using my talents to develop young men through a game I love.
What is your favorite college and pro basketball team?
Minnesota Golden Gophers and Chicago Bulls
Name: Mark Eshelman
Grades that you coach: Assistant Coach under Koppin 4th grade
Years of coaching: 6 years of coaching basketball and now going into 2nd year with Ankeny FLASH.
What is your favorite Bible verse?
Mark 12:30- "And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and all your strength."
What is your greatest memory with coaching for FLASH?
Playing in a 3rd grade tournament in Ames and the team coming from behind to win their first tournament of the year.
What do you see that makes the FLASH program unique?
Attending FLASH Fall skills and the past players participating to help out! All the families involved make it great!
How do you feel that God lead you to be a basketball coach?
Giving back is what has lead me to coaching.
What is your favorite college and pro basketball team?
Iowa Hawkeyes and Chicago Bulls
Grades that you coach: Assistant Coach under Koppin 4th grade
Years of coaching: 6 years of coaching basketball and now going into 2nd year with Ankeny FLASH.
What is your favorite Bible verse?
Mark 12:30- "And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and all your strength."
What is your greatest memory with coaching for FLASH?
Playing in a 3rd grade tournament in Ames and the team coming from behind to win their first tournament of the year.
What do you see that makes the FLASH program unique?
Attending FLASH Fall skills and the past players participating to help out! All the families involved make it great!
How do you feel that God lead you to be a basketball coach?
Giving back is what has lead me to coaching.
What is your favorite college and pro basketball team?
Iowa Hawkeyes and Chicago Bulls
Name: Jason Savage
Grades that you coach: 3rd grade
Years of coaching: This is my first time coaching basketball. I have a few years of soccer coaching under my belt.
What is your favorite Bible verse?
Romans 1:16- "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes."
What is your greatest memory with coaching for FLASH?
I’m just starting to make memories, but I see that we have a great group of boys and I’m excited to assist Adam Sherwood in coaching them.
What do you see that makes the FLASH program unique?
The focus and desire to glorify God in all that we do.
How do you feel that God lead you to be a basketball coach?
God lead me to be a basketball coach by giving me a third grade son that expressed a desire to learn the game of basketball. I’ve had opportunities to coach my daughters in soccer and wanted to seize an opportunity to help coach my son in something.
What is your favorite college and pro basketball team?
Iowa State Cyclones & Chicago Bulls
Grades that you coach: 3rd grade
Years of coaching: This is my first time coaching basketball. I have a few years of soccer coaching under my belt.
What is your favorite Bible verse?
Romans 1:16- "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes."
What is your greatest memory with coaching for FLASH?
I’m just starting to make memories, but I see that we have a great group of boys and I’m excited to assist Adam Sherwood in coaching them.
What do you see that makes the FLASH program unique?
The focus and desire to glorify God in all that we do.
How do you feel that God lead you to be a basketball coach?
God lead me to be a basketball coach by giving me a third grade son that expressed a desire to learn the game of basketball. I’ve had opportunities to coach my daughters in soccer and wanted to seize an opportunity to help coach my son in something.
What is your favorite college and pro basketball team?
Iowa State Cyclones & Chicago Bulls
Name: Brock Parks
Grades that you coach: 3rd Grade
Years of coaching: 1st Year
What is your favorite Bible verse?
Jeremiah 29:11- "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
What is your greatest memory with coaching for FLASH?
This is my first year as a FLASH coach, but I played FLASH basketball for 6 years. I had a blast playing with this program, and made some great friendships. But my favorite memory was winning championships with my teammates. Also the times when we would get together after the games and tournaments and go eat and hang out with each other.
What do you see that makes the FLASH program unique?
The FLASH program is unique because we have some of the best coaches in the area, and we all trust in God. We reflect Him during games and practices, where other programs might not. We start and end every practice with a prayer, and help the kids in their walk with Christ. Our coaches pour into all of the players as if they are their own kids.
How do you feel that God lead you to be a basketball coach?
I feel God led me to start coaching because of my dad being a coach for so many years. He has always been my coach and poured countless hours into me and my friends, and I just wanted to do the same to these kids, who are in the same situations I was in at that age.
What is your favorite college and pro basketball team?
I am a Michigan Wolverines fan and a Golden State Warriors fan.
Grades that you coach: 3rd Grade
Years of coaching: 1st Year
What is your favorite Bible verse?
Jeremiah 29:11- "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
What is your greatest memory with coaching for FLASH?
This is my first year as a FLASH coach, but I played FLASH basketball for 6 years. I had a blast playing with this program, and made some great friendships. But my favorite memory was winning championships with my teammates. Also the times when we would get together after the games and tournaments and go eat and hang out with each other.
What do you see that makes the FLASH program unique?
The FLASH program is unique because we have some of the best coaches in the area, and we all trust in God. We reflect Him during games and practices, where other programs might not. We start and end every practice with a prayer, and help the kids in their walk with Christ. Our coaches pour into all of the players as if they are their own kids.
How do you feel that God lead you to be a basketball coach?
I feel God led me to start coaching because of my dad being a coach for so many years. He has always been my coach and poured countless hours into me and my friends, and I just wanted to do the same to these kids, who are in the same situations I was in at that age.
What is your favorite college and pro basketball team?
I am a Michigan Wolverines fan and a Golden State Warriors fan.
Name: Tim Coleman
Grades that you coach: 6th (this year)
Years of coaching: 8
What is your favorite Bible verse?
My life verse is Romans 12:12- "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer."
What is your greatest memory with coaching for FLASH?
Hard to pick just one. Probably last year when a lady stopped me and informed me that the whole gym was talking about our team. Wasn’t sure where it was going. She then said that it was how our players acted to one another, to the refs, the opposing players and coaches. Also, that when other teams played us, they started following the lead of our players in how they acted. She then said, “whatever it is those boys have, we all needed to see.”
What do you see that makes the FLASH program unique?
It’s so much more than Xs and Os and winning. It’s the emphasis that is placed on caring about and loving the young men that play for us. The desire to help our players become leaders and to put God first in all they do.
How do you feel that God led you to be a basketball coach?
His sense of humor in the sanctifying process! In all seriousness, it’s the love of the game and the opportunity to use basketball to connect with and reach out to others.
What is your favorite college and pro basketball team?
The Memphis Tigers and the Memphis Grizzlies
Name: Tim Coleman
Grades that you coach: 6th (this year)
Years of coaching: 8
What is your favorite Bible verse?
My life verse is Romans 12:12- "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer."
What is your greatest memory with coaching for FLASH?
Hard to pick just one. Probably last year when a lady stopped me and informed me that the whole gym was talking about our team. Wasn’t sure where it was going. She then said that it was how our players acted to one another, to the refs, the opposing players and coaches. Also, that when other teams played us, they started following the lead of our players in how they acted. She then said, “whatever it is those boys have, we all needed to see.”
What do you see that makes the FLASH program unique?
It’s so much more than Xs and Os and winning. It’s the emphasis that is placed on caring about and loving the young men that play for us. The desire to help our players become leaders and to put God first in all they do.
How do you feel that God led you to be a basketball coach?
His sense of humor in the sanctifying process! In all seriousness, it’s the love of the game and the opportunity to use basketball to connect with and reach out to others.
What is your favorite college and pro basketball team?
The Memphis Tigers and the Memphis Grizzlies
Name: Brad Rolling
Grades that you coach: 6th Grade
Years of coaching: 4
What is your favorite Bible verse?
John 14:6 – Jesus answered “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
What is your greatest memory with coaching for FLASH?
The first year that I coached, we had two 3rd grade teams that practiced together during the week but played separately. One of the last Saturdays of the season, our two teams got matched up against each other. The two teams gathering together for prayer before and after the game will always be memorable to me. The game was fun too, with a highly contested game that came right down to the wire.
What do you see that makes the FLASH program unique?
The parental support of the boys and the coaches, through ups and downs, has been incredible.
How do you feel that God lead you to be a basketball coach?
It was intriguing to be a part of something that was more than basketball.
What is your favorite college and pro basketball team?
University of Northern Iowa Panthers
Name: Joe Koppin
Grades that you coach: 4th
Years of coaching: 10+
What is your favorite Bible verse?
Proverbs 3:5-6- "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
What is your greatest memory with coaching for FLASH?
Winning the GRBA 515 Hoops State Championship last year to end our season.
What do you see that makes the FLASH program unique?
The family atmosphere at FLASH is really unique. It’s really neat to see all teams pulling
for each other throughout the season.
How do you feel that God lead you to be a basketball coach?
I believe God lead me to coach basketball to help provide a positive impact on a young person’s life. Helping them achieve their goals and dreams.
What is your favorite college and pro basketball team?
College: Iowa Pro: Chicago Bulls
Name: Jayce Goergen
Grades that you coach: Skills and devotional coach for 3rd-8th
Years of coaching: 1st year
What is your favorite Bible verse?
Philippians 4:6- "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God."
What is your greatest memory with coaching for FLASH?
So far, it has been seeing how much the kids have improved not only on the basketball court, but as a person.
What do you see that makes the FLASH program unique?
The ability to use a church to bring in basketball players and to share with them Christ's love for them.
How do you feel God lead you to be a basketball coach?
By giving me a passion for teaching kids not only about basketball, but also teaching them to be better people through Jesus.
What is your favorite college and pro basketball team?
Iowa for college, and if I had to choose for pro I would go with the Chicago Bulls.
Name: Paul Selindh
Grades that you coach: 3rd Grade Boys
Years of coaching: 1st year with Flash, 29th year coaching basketball
What is your favorite Bible verse?
So many favorites– this one is always one- Philippines 4:13- "I can do all this through him who gives me strength."
What is your greatest memory with coaching for FLASH?
Just started a week ago. Great first week of practice! Enjoy coming into the gym and everyone working hard. The 3rd grade boys starting and ending by praying!
What do you see that makes the FLASH program unique?
Serving God first; practicing the fundamentals of basketball which will help them develop into good players for their schools.
How do you feel that God lead you to be a basketball coach?
I love the game and love the connection with the players being able to teach them. Many times I have to use different methods to teach for them to understand the game.
What is your favorite college and pro basketball team?
North Carolina, Iowa and Iowa State. Los Angeles Lakers