COIN COACH - Key Persons
It was in Bob's senior year of high school that he became a Christian, under the leadership of Pastor Glenn Wessel and the influence of Marly Gjesdal, a WWII veteran who Bob lovingly remembers as a beloved bachelor and mechanic, who "not only fixed my car, but me spiritually by taking me to church and leading me to Christ."
Greg holds a Bachelors in Business from Long Beach State University, as well as a Masters in Physical Education from Azusa Pacific University, Greg resides in Long Beach with his wife, Lisa and his two sons, Jordan and Brandon.
Mike and his wife, Ashley, have a son, Vinton, and a daughter, Tatum. The Ogas family resides in Tustin, California, and attend and serve as shepherding elders at Mariners Church in Irvine.
Born in Ontario, Canada, Nelson's family moved to Southern California while he was in elementary school. The budding athlete played various sports throughout his youth and began coaching while in high school. At the same time, Nelson was exposed to the life-changing message of God's love for him - Nelson learned that God wanted to have a personal relationship, not a religious habit or experience. He took God at His word and put his trust in Jesus Christ alone for His salvation.
Drafted in 1968, he served in the United States Army for over two years and was discharged in Fairbanks, Alaska. With a Bachelor of Science and Masters of Education from the University of North Texas, Nelson found himself working for several para-church ministries, including Campus Crusade, Youth for Christ, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and several churches. The young teacher, who at the time coached football, basketball, and tennis in Richardson, Texas, got married, had children, then moved his family to Orange County in 1987 to take a position with FCA.
Coach Tim Sweeney Sr. was born in Chicago, Illinois, but he considers himself a native Californian. Educated in Long Beach, Tim was blessed to have been part of several championship basketball teams at L.B. Poly High School, Long Beach City College, and Chapman College, where he received a basketball scholarship.
Tim and his wife Charye, his high school sweetheart, have been teammates and mentors to players at Mt. San Antonio College, Fullerton College, Hope International University, Chapman University, Poly High, and Lakewood High School.
In 2002, Coach Sweeny along with a few Christian coaches helped launch a COIN Coaches Fellowship Group. Tim holds Philippians 4:13 close to his heart: "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me."