Decades after coming to Fieldston to coach the Fieldston Boys Varsity Basketball, John Dwinell is ready to take the reins of the team once again. Dwinnel has worn many hats within the Fieldston Athletics community. He has coached lower school physical education, cheered on middle school cross country, led the Varsity Golf team to numerous titles and much more. Ryuichi Nitta, a rising senior, recalls that “John was always excited to come to our PE Classes and he always made sure we were having a good time.”
Despite all the work that Dwinell already does, he is incredibly excited to return to the hardwood. Dwinell’s credentials might make him seem overqualified. He was the head coach at SUNY Maritime for 12 years, where he was awarded coach of the year and won the conference championship twice. At SUNY Maritime Dwinell learned how hardworking a team could be, even with players training for maritime service. It was there that Dwinell discovered the importance of developing a good culture, building camaraderie and playing team-oriented basketball.
After his time at SUNY Maritime, Dwinell moved onto Concordia College for over a decade. Dwinell credits the success of his team to their ability to challenge themselves by playing Division One competition. The tough opponents forced Concordia to work hard. Now, a strong work ethic is a tenet to any team led by Dwinell.
After the stop at Concordia, coach Dwinell moved into an assistant coach role at Saint Thomas Aquinas. The team he acquired was not very good. However, Dwinell aspired to “hang a banner in the gym and create a strong, winning culture.” During his seven-year stint, the Spartans excelled. They achieved four league titles and lots of accolades in the Division Two March Madness competition. The team reached the Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight multiple times. “But, some of the success has to go to the players,” said Dwinell. One such player, Justin Reyes, has even reached the NBA G League in the Toronto Raptors organization.
Now, at Fieldston, Dwinell has some high expectations. He wants to raise another banner for the Eagles basketball team, as well as re-establish his old system of basketball. Although Dwinell wants to evaluate the players before he sets his system in stone, he believes his team will focus on lots of quick passes, aggressiveness on both ends of the floor and lots of motion. Aaron Geller, a rising senior and leader on the Fieldston Basketball team, said “He clearly has an in-depth appreciation for the Fieldston community, and he is committed to the pursuit of excellence. The team is excited to learn from his extensive basketball experience, knowledge and leadership.” With a team that is ready to work and a coach that is excited to lead, the sky’s the limit for the Dwinell-led Fieldston Eagles.
