Jonathan Mock found his life’s calling earlier than most people.
His love for basketball came at an early age, but while most students of the game hope to make a career by swishing three-pointers and snagging rebounds, Mock yearned to draw up the plays and give the half-time pep talk.
At 29 years old, Mock has 12 years of experience coaching basketball at both the high school and college levels. As the new assistant coach for the Hillsdale women’s basketball team, Mock is continuing to pursue his passion.
“Hillsdale’s been a great place so far,” Mock said. “I’m really excited to be here. I’m really excited about the opportunities that lie ahead in the future.”
Mock boasts an impressive résumé, beginning his coaching career shortly after graduating high school. From 2000 to 2008, he was the assistant coach of the boys’ and girls’ varsity basketball teams at Eaton Rapids High School as well as the head coach of the boys’ junior varsity and freshman girls’ teams.
In 2005, he founded Mock Farms Construction Company, which he owned and operated for four years. Mock then attended Grand Valley State University in 2009 to pursue his college degree, while at the same time acting as an assistant coach for the women’s basketball team there.
“It was kind of the backwards way of doing things, but it’s worked so far,” Mock said.
On July 1, Mock was named assistant coach of the Hillsdale women’s basketball team. In that short time, Mock has already begun to form relationships on campus and is excited to be a part of the Hillsdale College community.
“We have a really great group of girls [on the team],” Mock said. “Coach Charney’s been great to work with. Mike Harner was great to me, helping me and my wife get settled. It’s been great so far.”
Despite having a young team of 12 underclassmen, Mock feels that it is capable of great things this year, crediting the girls’ great work ethic and intense energy during practice as foreshadowings of a successful season.
“We’re going to have our moments when we take our lumps because we’re so young, but they get after it every day,” Mock said. “We’re starting to get a lot more comfortable with each other and they’re getting more aggressive. We’re a work in progress but there are good things in the future.”
Mock’s life philosophy can probably be best summarized by a quote from basketball legend “Pistol Pete” Maravich that Mock has posted on his personal website. It demonstrates Mock’s humble confidence that is a testament both to his experience as a coach as well as his personal development.
“Love never fails and character never quits; with patience and persistence dreams do come true.”