Photo: Matt Swinney
New Edina head football coach Jason Potts motivates his players through passion and determination.
Drawn to the community for its desire to pursue and achieve academic and athletic excellence, new Edina head football coach Jason Potts motivates his players through passion and determination.
“I am a very competitive person and I have high expectations,” Potts says. “I think that drives me to be a hard worker and continuous learner.”
Potts’ personal football experience includes playing varsity for three years at Robbinsdale Armstrong High School and later as a running back at Augsburg University.
After his college athletic career, Potts pursued a business career but quickly realized it wasn’t the right fit. His calling is to serve others and he discovered he could do that while utilizing his passion for football. His coaching career was launched at Cooper and later Osseo High Schools, and he eventually ended up back at his college alma mater as Augsburg’s wide receiver’s coach. More recently, Potts spent six seasons as the offensive coordinator at Robbinsdale Armstrong High School where he helped lead the team to its first undefeated season in 50 years. Robbinsdale Armstrong was also 3-year district champions during Potts’ time there.
“There are so many valuable life skills that come along with coaching and I think it is so rewarding,” Potts says. “I love the sport because I can still get the competitive side of things in my life, but I can also serve others, build life lessons and prepare [student athletes] to achieve their goals as well.”
Though success in sports is often defined by winning or losing, Potts also measures accomplishments by how a team handles adversity and the personal growth of the athletes he works with.
“I want them to achieve their greatest potential and help them become better people in the process,” he says. “I want to develop them mentally, physically, socially and emotionally.”
To create strength beyond the physical, Potts believes it’s important to develop good relationships between coaches and athletes. Those bonds build trust and establish a sense of community through clear communication, mutual support and leadership.
Even with an extensive coaching background, Potts says that he is always learning, and he hopes to expand his expertise for years to come with the Hornet family.
NOTE: At the time of this writing, the high school season was still “up in the air” with options being discussed of how best to ensure everyone is safe without having to cancel the season. Coach Potts told us in June that they are, “hanging in there and trying to stay positive.”
Edina Public Schools
5701 Normandale Road, 55424
952.848.3900
Facebook: Edina Public Schools
Twitter: @edinaschools and @EHSHornetsFB
Instagram: @edinapublicschools
