Benicia High Baseball Coach is Model for his Peers

, the varsity baseball coach at didn’t invent the “Aw Shucks” attitude but he has perfected it.  When asked how it felt to be named the Solano County Athletic Conference Model Coach for 2011 he said, “As a coach, you look at your players and thank them.  It’s nice because our program got recognized.”

According to Joann Severson, a vice-principal at Benicia High and President of the SCAC, the other coaches and athletic directors in the conference voted unanimously for Bowles as the conference Model Coach for 2011.  

“I was thrilled that the nod went to Jim,” said Severson,.  “Jim is an inspiration to a lot of kids.”

Bowles has led his team to the game the past four years.  The Panthers beat league rival Rodriguez High of Fairfield in the championship game this year.

Bowles played high school baseball in Benicia and pitched for San Francisco State University for four years.  He then got his teaching credential and came back to Benicia High where he has been head baseball coach since 2000.

For Bowles, coaching is part teaching, part learning and part letting people step up and do their jobs.  “I think the best thing I do is I allow the other coaches to coach and the players play,” said Bowles.  “Our goal with players is to get them to make decisions on their own.  We’re lucky to have a lot of smart kids who are willing to learn.”

was one of those smart kids who’s now one of Bowles’ assistants.  Palmer was the Panther’s shortstop and his senior year was Bowles’ first as head coach. 

Palmer confirmed the “Aw shucks” attitude is a genuine Bowles trait.  “He hates taking credit for stuff,” said Palmer.  “He would much rather have the program get credit than himself.”

, the Benicia High Principal has high praise for Bowles because of the quality of the kids that come out of the program. “He gives the players the tools for on and off the field so they can be successful,” said Jensen.

Bowles last “Aw shucks” moment came when he was asked if he was planning to attend the school board meeting Thursday when the school board would get a report on his being selected as the SCAC Model Coach for 2011.  “I think I’ll let my wife watch the meeting on TV.  She can tell me about it.”

Then he headed for his car that was full of kids waiting to be carpooled home.