Coach Burton Talks RU Baseball with WinWon Technologies

from WinWon Technologies (website source link below):

Coach's Corner: Jonathan Burton

Leading Reinhardt Baseball to New Heights

In his six seasons as the head coach of Reinhardt Baseball, Jonathan Burton has cultivated a winning culture defined by resilience, strong leadership, and personal growth. With over 500 career wins and multiple NAIA appearances under his belt, Burton has transformed Reinhardt's program into a powerhouse, while placing equal emphasis on the personal development of his players.

A Proven Track Record of Success

Jonathan Burton was named the head coach of Reinhardt Baseball in May 2018, bringing with him a wealth of experience from previous coaching stints at Lindsey Wilson and Trevecca Nazarene. His career, which spans over 15 seasons, boasts a 502-323 overall record—a testament to his consistent success on the field. In just five seasons at Reinhardt, Burton has compiled a 155-94 record, and his teams have set school records in key offensive categories, including hits, home runs, and stolen bases.

The 2023 season was particularly memorable, as Burton led the Eagles to a second-place finish in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) for the third consecutive year and a third straight NAIA Opening Round appearance. Burton also achieved a personal milestone, capturing his 500th win as a head coach against the #12 University of Mobile during the NAIA Opening Round. But for Burton, it's not just about wins and accolades; his approach goes deeper, focusing on fostering a team culture built on trust, chemistry, and leadership.

Building Chemistry and Character

For Burton, the fall season holds a unique significance. "The fall sets the tone for what you're going to do in the spring," he explained. "If you have a bad fall and bad chemistry, it's going to be a tough season." Burton's commitment to building chemistry within the team extends beyond the diamond. He incorporates activities designed to bring his players together as people, not just athletes.

"We spend a lot of time in the classroom, not just on the field," Burton shared. "We go to church together every two weeks, and I've taken the seniors whitewater rafting. It's about showing them that it's not just about baseball—it's about growing as people. My goal is to bring the whole person together, more than just the baseball player."

Burton's coaching philosophy is heavily influenced by the values he learned during his playing days and from his own mentors. He credits Alabama football coach Nick Saban for his perspective on coaching: "Saban talks about being transformational over transactional. It's about making a difference in kids' lives, not just chasing wins. I know we have good players, but getting them to buy into the team culture is what truly matters."

Handling the Highs and Lows of Coaching

As any coach will tell you, success in sports is a balancing act of managing both victories and defeats. For Burton, the relationships he builds with his players help them weather tough losses and setbacks. The 2023 season ended in heartbreak, with the team falling just short of the NAIA title game. Burton described the semifinal loss as "the toughest loss I've ever experienced."

"We were 18 innings away from a national championship," Burton recalled. "But baseball is a crazy game. One minute, everything's going your way, and the next, you can't catch a break. We hit balls hard, but they didn't find the gaps. Those kids showed so much resolve and character, though. It wasn't about the loss as much as it was that the players didn't get to experience what we felt was right there for them."

Burton emphasizes the importance of helping his players learn from failure. "Failure is a big part of growth. We encourage our players to fail because that's when we can really coach them," he said. "When they get into tough situations in life, they need to know how to get out of them. And that's what we focus on—preparing them for life after baseball."

Fostering Leadership On and Off the Field

One of the cornerstones of Burton's program is the development of leadership. He believes that empowering his players to take ownership of the team's success is crucial to building a strong, cohesive unit. "I try to foster leadership by giving my players responsibility," he explained. "During our scrimmages, I'll let seniors pick their teams and set the lineups. It gives them a taste of being in my shoes, and they learn how to lead."

Burton also fosters a family-like atmosphere within his team, ensuring that players feel comfortable coming to him with any issues, whether personal or on the field. "If a player can't walk through my office door and have a conversation with me, then I'm not doing my job as a coach," he said. "It's about giving them a voice. They might not always get what they want, but they know they can come to me with anything."

This focus on open communication and fostering a supportive environment has had a ripple effect throughout the team. Burton proudly shared that his players have taken the initiative to start Bible studies, a direct result of the team's biweekly church visits. "It's all about creating a family atmosphere. Everything we're doing is leading to that."

Looking to the Future

As Coach Burton looks ahead, his goals remain the same—building a program based on excellence, both on the field and in the lives of his players. Reinhardt Baseball's growth under his leadership has been nothing short of remarkable, but Burton is quick to point out that the team's success is about more than wins and losses.

"I tell young coaches all the time, be where your feet are," Burton said. "It's easy to chase the next win or look for the next opportunity, but what really matters is being fully invested in the team and program you're with right now. That's where the real success lies."

For Coach Burton, the journey isn't just about leading Reinhardt Baseball to more wins and championships; it's about leaving a lasting impact on the players who wear the Eagles' uniform. With his unwavering commitment to building character, fostering leadership, and creating a team culture that values trust and personal growth, Burton is poised to continue leading Reinhardt to new heights in the years to come.

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The Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) partners with WinWon Technologies.

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