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When Coach Jonathan Burton took over as head baseball coach at Reinhardt University seven years ago, he wasn't just inheriting a team – he was accepting a mission to transform lives. After 17 years as a head coach at the NAIA level, compiling over 560 wins, multiple World Series appearances, and developing dozens of All-Conference and All-American players, Burton has mastered something far more significant than winning baseball games: building complete human beings.
"I used to chase the scoreboard a lot," Burton confesses with the wisdom of a coach who's seen it all. "Now I barely even look at that thing. I don't look at it until we have to because I'm just thinking about how to build people up." This philosophy has guided him through three different college programs, each one transformed into a national contender under his leadership.
What makes Burton's approach exceptional is his unwavering commitment to developing the whole person. While many programs focus exclusively on athletic performance, Burton's teams participate in weekly personal development sessions, attend church together, and build relationships that transcend the diamond. "Most programs are just trying to build the baseball player," he explains. "At Reinhardt, I've tried to build both the baseball player and the whole person because 98% of the players we have aren't getting drafted. They've got to be able to handle this world when baseball is over."
This whole-person approach is anchored in Burton's faith and his understanding of what truly matters in life. Now, as he prepares to transition from head baseball coach to Athletic Director, Burton hopes to influence an entire athletic department with these principles. Reflecting on coaching his own children versus other people's children for nearly two decades, he shares: "In six years, you're going to be 50, and in six years, Turner's going to have a permit," revealing the personal motivation behind his career shift.
Whether you're a coach, athlete, parent, or leader in any field, Burton's wisdom on building championship cultures, maintaining emotional balance ("play with emotion, don't play emotional"), and making difficult decisions offers a masterclass in transformational leadership that extends far beyond the baseball diamond. Subscribe now to hear the full conversation and discover why Coach Burton's legacy will ultimately be measured not in wins and losses, but in the lives he's changed forever.

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