Bethel
The athletes in Jeffcoat’s family extends to a pair of uncles, Jerold Jeffcoat and Todd Young, both of whom also played in the NFL, and his aunt, Nicole Young-Louchey, a former UCLA player who helped spark his love of basketball. Jaren’s younger brother, Jackson, was an All-American linebacker at the University of Texas and is currently an NFL free agent, having last trained with the Cleveland Browns this preseason.
Whatever fuels Jaren Jeffcoat’s love of life and sport, he’s got plenty of it to burn — and it’s contagious.
The 29-year-old is less than two weeks into his first varsity coaching job, joining Whitcomb High as the Hornets’ third coach in four seasons. Already, the program appears rejuvenated. Its 31 total players (varsity and junior varsity combined) are its most in years, and none lacked effort or direction during a recent practice.
It wasn’t hard with Jeffcoat leading proceedings. Constantly vocal, upbeat and definitive, the former 1,000-point scorer at Norwich University minces no words when it comes to his expectations. It may be a short time into his first varsity gig, but Jeffcoat speaks with the authority of someone much more experienced.
“The goal every season is to win a state championship. That’s the effort every year,” he said while Hornet players performed up-tempo drills over the length of the court on Wednesday night. “We want to continue to build this program, from the fifth- and sixth-grade level up. We’re striving for excellence.”
Excellence is something the Hornets have struggled to obtain for the last decade. Their last winning season came in 2006, a year after their most recent playoff win (they’re 0-6 in postseason play since).
Numbers have been an issue at the Vermont Division IV school, and ebbed in 2009-10, when it dressed half a dozen players and fielded no JV team under Jason Nickerson, now back as an assistant coach.
“I’m not sure if it was only because enrollment was way down back then, but it was pretty rough,” said Nickerson, whose team managed three wins that season. “Seeing what we have here now is like night and day, and I think having Jaren here is only going to add to that. He has a lot of experience playing in high school and college. I think he’s going to help pick us back up.”
Whitcomb’s players certainly don’t appear to be lacking motivation. All appeared focused and fluid during Wednesday’s combined varsity-JV practice, in constant motion and breaking sweat.
Dressed in Buffalo Bills attire acquired while visiting friends in western New York, Jeffcoat also sported a walking boot to help treat a broken right leg. He suffered a fractured tibia and fibia while playing quarterback for the semipro Vermont Ravens, who play their home games at Norwich University.
“Even in that boot, you can tell he wants to be out here, playing with us,” said Whitcomb senior Zak Gillette, a tri-captain. “He’s played a lot of basketball. He knows a lot about the game and really wants us to reach our full potential. I think we’re all happy to have him here.”
Jeffcoat does see potential with this group, many of whom played during Whitcomb’s 8-13 season a year ago under Pete Parrish. The Hornets return leading scorers Colby Washburn and Marcus Sheldon (both 8.3 points per game). Sheldon was the third tri-captain, chosen by teammates to lead the team along with Gillette and first-year senior Ambrose Wigglesworth. Forward Isaac Hodgdon also possesses plenty of leadership skills and talent.
“This team has athletes, it definitely does,” Jeffcoat said. “We’re going to play up-tempo, but we’ll also be fairly disciplined. You’re going to see us working the low baseline at times. We’re going to be striving for perfection.”
That’s the attitude Jeffcoat has always possessed, impressing his dad from an early age. In a phone interview on Thursday, Jim Jeffcoat expressed pride for Jaren reaching a goal to becoming a varsity high school coach — though he couldn’t conceal which entity he feels will benefit most.
“Whitcomb got lucky. He’s beyond ready for this step,” said Jim Jeffcoat, a Cowboys’ first-round pick in 1983 who went on to record 102.5 career sacks. “He has a tremendous enthusiasm, love and knowledge of the game. Whitcomb is going to love him.”
Jaren Jeffcoat cares about more than sports. As a mentor for the Barre, Vt.-based Washington County Youth Service Bureau, he provides encouragement and guidance to young adults who’ve been through the state’s correctional system and are in need of support networks.
Jeffcoat was inspired to pursue the field by his own experience receiving support from Norwich coach Paul Booth while playing for the Cadets from 2007-11.
“Coach Booth helped me learn to balance my emotions,” Jeffcoat said in a follow-up email. “He pushed me to mature as a person, and constantly asked me to take on leadership roles.”
Jeffcoat hopes to foster similar relationships and supportive qualities within the Hornets.
“Everyone deserves a safe and comfortable place in the community,” he said. “Basketball, and sports in general, are a unique environment. You want to concentrate on improving your game and winning, but you also want to concentrate on cultivating improvements in your lifestyle.”
That goes for each and every player. No matter how busy the atmosphere, players say, Jeffcoat finds time for one-on-one instruction.
“He really pays attention to all of us,” Wigglesworth said. “If someone has a question, he explains everything to you.”
It’s another characteristic Jim Jeffcoat says his son has possessed from an early age.
“Ever since Jaren was a kid, it’s always bothered him if somebody felt left out. He wants everyone to be included,” he said. “If you’re depressed, he’s going to pick you up. When I’m depressed, he’s who I call.”
The season begins on Wednesday against Long Trail.
Jared Pendak can be reached at jpendak@vnews.com or 603-727-3225.
Correction
Jim Jeffcoat played 15 seasons as a defensive lineman in the NFL. An earlier version of this story used an incorrect first name.