From Waterboy to Head Coach, Meet Coach Finfrock
By: Jack McInelly
Will Finfrock, better known as Coach Finfrock, is different. He’s the prime example of the American dream: as Rapper Drake once said, "started from the bottom now we here.” Finfrock started as a waterboy for his basketball team. From there, it was nothing but net. Ahead of the season Finfrock has been named the head boys’ varsity basketball coach at Jenks High School.
As a kid living in Texas, 5-year-old Finfrock started his basketball career in his neighborhood park, scrimmaging against his older brother almost every day. In kindergarten, Finfrock moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, and that's when it all began. Fast forward to 9th grade: Finfrock tried out for the freshman team. Although he gave it his all, he didn’t make the cut. However, Coach Clay Martin was impressed by young Finfrock’s hustle and offered him a spot as team manager.
Coach Clay Martin, coaching during one of his final years at Jenks High School.
Photo courtesy of Tulsa World.
"It was obvious the passion he had for the game and the desire to be around,” said Martin, who–20 years later– has become the assistant director of Jenks Community Education. “It stuck out how well his peers liked and respected him."
For the next 3 years, Finfrock assisted the team on the sidelines. While learning about coaching, he organized stats, ran the clock, and made sure the players stayed hydrated during practices and games.
"I was just a student of the game,” said Finfrock. “I loved watching the game, loved the strategy of the game, loved the X's and O's and I think that's why I fell in love with the game of basketball."
Finfrock, demonstrating a drill to the new freshman.
Photo courtesy of Sador Dagim.
After graduating highschool, Finfrock attended Oklahoma State University and graduated with a major in business management. While not doing any basketball in college, it was always in the back of his mind. That chance came after graduation, when he received a call from Jenks that the current 8th grade coach was moving away and they needed someone to fill the spot. Finfrock would seize the moment and go on to win the 8th grade championship.
"I love this school and have always wanted to give back to it," said Finfrock.
From there, he was promoted to the freshman team. The next 4 years he would spend as the 9th grade coach. Next, 3 more years as sophomore head coach and varsity assistant. Then finally, in May 2022, 8 years after joining the Jenks basketball staff, he was offered the head coaching position.
"He was the perfect fit. He's been around and understands the culture and what it takes to be successful here," said Martin. "He's going to have a great influence on the program. He has thrived in every role he's had at Jenks and I expect him to do the same with basketball.¨
"I'm really excited to see what new values he'll bring to the team, he's definitely a win for Jenks basketball," said varsity sophomore Deke Thompson.
Thompson was pulled up to varsity last year during Martin's final year as head coach.
Coach Finfrock has seen the ins and outs of Jenks basketball. Finfrock plans to stay as the head coach for the next couple of years. Eventually, he hopes to work his way up to a college or NBA team. The sky's the limit for this man.
Want to meet Finfrock yourself? The Trojans face off against Tulsa Edison, November 9th for their season opener. Click here for more information on their upcoming season.