More than a job for KIPP’s Jim Rabbitt

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Last Updated, Apr 21, 2024, 5:59 PM

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For KIPP’s Jim Rabbitt, coaching is more than just another job. Helming the baseball and football varsity programs, he’s entrusted with the development of young men.

Rabbitt, of Medford, is a physical education and psychology teacher at KIPP, and has been there for eight years. When he initially got hired, it was to teach, but also, to help start the football program in 2017.

“When I came over from Arlington Catholic, KIPP saw on my resume that I was a football coach for eight years at that point, and they were thinking of starting a football program and I told them, ‘I would love to help start the program,’” he said. “Being able to teach physical education, psychology, and being able to coach football was intriguing.”

As a teacher, Rabbitt understands his role in making sure high school students are well-prepared by the time they leave. On the field, he believes strong behavior in athletics translates to life itself.

“Not to sound cliche, but the things you need to do to be successful in sports mirror life. The things you have to do or give up to be a great athlete like sacrifice, dedication, selflessness, and teamwork. All of those things make you a great athlete and that’s what we’re trying to instill into kids inside and outside of the classroom – things that will make them good people,” Rabbitt said. “Coaching gives you the avenue to build those characteristics and attributes outside of the classroom. It’s also good because, as a coach, they see you outside of the classroom and you can teach them different values.”

Unlike some other sports, in football, you can have dozens of players. When it comes to navigating different personalities, Rabbitt knows that gaining everyone’s trust is important.

“The big thing I’ve learned is, when you’re a young coach starting out, it’s easier for kids to relate to you and you can relate to them. When you start out when you’re 22, 23, 24, I found it’s easier to build relationships because the kids get you and you get them because you’re around the same age,” Rabbitt said. “Now that I’ve gotten older, the key is to be authentic. I have to understand that when I tell stories from when I was in high school or when I was in college, that it’s different. The kids are going through different things and the time period is different. Anything that I try to instill in them – whether through advice or a lecture – I try to stay authentic and tell them about my experience and how it could potentially help them.”

Being honest and upfront helps the KIPP culture stay maintained, and without trust, the program wouldn’t succeed, according to Rabbitt, whose Panthers reached the Super Bowl at Gillette Stadium in 2022.

“You can build trust in kids; you just have to be authentic,” Rabbitt said. “Kids know, high school kids, especially, are very empathic and they know when you’re being fake. Those coaches who aren’t authentic have trouble building trust and a culture because, why would the kids trust you if you’re not being truthful to them?”

Also, Rabbitt admits to not knowing all the answers, but what he does know – if any of his athletes need him, he’ll be there.

“As a coach, it’s also OK to not have all the answers. Whether it’s on the field or off the field, I want the kids to know that if they ever need anything, I’m here for them. I’m not a counselor, but I will always have their backs,” Rabbitt said.

Former athletes coming back and being a part of the Panthers’ community – that holds importance, too.

“Serge Clivio, my mentor and former coach, allowed me to coach under him at Arlington Catholic, my alma mater,” Rabbitt said. “Most of the staff were alumni because once we graduated, we wanted to come back and work under Serge. When we started this program, that’s something we wanted to have – guys who played in college to come back and be part of the staff. If my staff one day is all alumni, that’s a win for me.”

“In 30 years, when I’m really old and gray, and all those guys come back for different things and I see them have kids and they’re in the program, that’s what I look forward to,” Rabbitt said.

KIPP baseball is in full swing and football soon enters its eighth season, all under the direction of Rabbitt.

Touchdowns and home runs are great, but development as players and people – that’s the ultimate win.

Mark Aboyoun is a New Jersey born sports writer at The Daily Item. Aboyoun is a graduate of Saint Joseph’s University ’18 and went on to earn his Juris Doctor at Western New England School of Law in 2021.

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