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BOCA RATON — The diagnosis John’s family received was not just painful; it was a life-altering moment that turned their world upside down, leaving them in a state of profound concern.
However, John and Sara Jakus understood that their journey was about to take a significant turn, and their focus would shift in ways they could never have anticipated.
The couple, once settled in Macedonia, a picturesque region of Southeast Europe, found themselves grappling with a new reality. John’s mission combined his deep faith with a passion for coaching basketball, as he engaged with Athletes in Action, a dedicated sports ministry. His dream of coaching internationally suddenly faced unexpected challenges.
“I learned from them the true meaning of using basketball as a tool for significant life changes rather than just transactional interactions,” John reflected. “It’s about creating transformative experiences.”
However, all their plans came crashing down when their middle child, Cal, was diagnosed with autism in 2011. At just 3 years old and nonverbal, the Jakuses faced the heartbreaking possibility that Cal might never speak.
They were told that Cal’s developmental trajectory indicated he would likely remain at his current level of functioning into adulthood.
It was that fateful day that set John and Sara on an arduous journey, a path they believe ultimately led John to his current role as the head basketball coach at Florida Atlantic University.
“I recall a sense of urgency – as if we were racing against the clock,” John disclosed after a recent practice as the Owls readied for their season opener and John’s debut game as a college head coach, facing Indiana State in Dayton, Ohio. This match is part of the Athletes in Action Total Athlete Tip-Off event.
The Jakus family made the tough decision to return to the United States, prioritizing Cal’s needs first while considering John’s coaching aspirations. They are also parents to two other children; son Brady, 19, is a freshman at the University of Arkansas, while daughter Harper is 12. Cal is now 16 and thriving.
“There was a master plan guiding us all along,” John stated confidently.
Cal becomes family’s priority
The early signs that something was amiss with Cal were evident, yet John and Sara grappled with whether his behavior was merely a result of the overseas move or a more serious concern.
While family members had pointed out Cal’s unusual behaviors, it was a relief when he began to speak. That relief was short-lived, however, as he soon stopped communicating altogether, causing John and Sara to become increasingly alarmed.
“I can distinctly remember him retreating to the corners, staring at walls, isolating himself from others, including kids his age,” John, now 49, recalled. “That’s when our perspective shifted from viewing him as a late bloomer to realizing there was likely something deeper at play.”
Sara took it upon herself to fly back to the U.S. with Cal for critical evaluations in Cincinnati, where they had resided before relocating to Europe.
The autism diagnosis felt like a seismic shock, irrevocably altering their course.
“It was the most excruciating experience I’ve ever faced concerning any of my children,” Sara recalled. “Although it’s been profoundly challenging, and I wouldn’t wish this journey on anyone, I believe God transformed one of our darkest moments into some of our greatest blessings.”
Specifically, she noted, “I genuinely believe John wouldn’t have stepped into the head coaching position at FAU if Cal hadn’t been diagnosed with autism.”
As they faced the challenges of raising a son who needed to learn how to communicate, the Jakus family chose to return to the U.S., where English was the primary language.
John took a year-long sabbatical from coaching during this transition.
This year felt like an eternity to him; having never been fired, leaving his coaching position felt like an unwelcomed separation.
It was indeed a long and trying time, but Sara acknowledged that John would never characterize it as an outright hardship.
“He viewed it as a shift in direction, a deliberate choice to prioritize what was right for our family at that moment,” she explained.
The Jakus family temporarily stayed with loved ones before eventually putting down roots in Orlando, a central hub for Campus Crusade (Cru), a Christian organization dedicated to assisting families in transition.
They sought out therapy for Cal, participated in sessions, and yes, made family trips to Disney World. “We managed to make the best of the situation,” John reflected.
At 37, John Jakus becomes Baylor graduate assistant
During a basketball tournament in Macedonia, John connected with Tim Maloney, the director of basketball operations at Baylor University, who had formerly served alongside Billy Donovan at Florida. Upon learning about John’s situation, Maloney reached out to Baylor coach Scott Drew.
Relocating to Waco, Texas, would provide an ideal scenario for the Jakus family. Baylor housed a prestigious Autism Resource Clinic, allowing Cal access to exceptional therapeutic support while also enabling John to renew his coaching career, albeit as a 37-year-old graduate assistant.
Drew recognized the wealth of experience Jakus brought to the table and welcomed him to the coaching staff, encouraging him to commit to at least two years in Waco.
“It was truly the best decision we could have made,” Jakus affirmed. “It created a nurturing environment for Sara, provided Cal with vital therapy, and, ultimately, it brought my family a newfound sense of stability.”
Initially, the family witnessed only minimal progress with Cal. Although some of his repetitive movements and sounds, common indicators of autism, improved, verbal communication was still out of reach. In hindsight, they understand that this foundational treatment sowed the seeds for significant growth in subsequent years.
Jakus would often describe himself as “Scott Drew’s bag carrier,” however, he was far more than a typical graduate assistant.
His return to coaching as a graduate assistant paved the way for a full-time position at Gonzaga under Mark Few, thanks to a thoughtful recommendation from Grant McCasland, who was then an assistant coach at Baylor and is now the head coach at Texas Tech.
Jakus was appointed as Gonzaga’s director of basketball operations in 2014, a role he held for three seasons.
“I realized I could achieve what I was passionate about overseas right at Gonzaga,” Jakus noted. “A third of the team had international backgrounds, Cal could receive the support he needed, and I could incorporate the aspects of basketball in my life that I valued.”
This opportunity served as a launching pad, allowing him to return to Baylor, where he eventually rose to the rank of associate head coach.
John often expresses gratitude, stating that Drew and Baylor gave him a chance to revive his career, while Few and Gonzaga facilitated his journey into a fulfilling coaching trajectory.
In 2017, Jakus contributed to Gonzaga’s run to the Final Four, a journey that culminated in a championship game defeat against North Carolina. Four years later, he found himself celebrating with the Gonzaga staff as they watched Baylor clinch the national title.
Paradoxically, the Bears triumphed over Gonzaga in that championship matchup, a testament to the intertwined coaching journeys of both teams.
Coaches Drew and Few significantly influenced Jakus’s trajectory, allowing him the privilege to build upon what Dusty May achieved at Florida Atlantic in 2023, guiding the Owls to their inaugural Final Four appearance. With May’s departure to Michigan in March, the opportunity for Jakus opened up.
Jakus reflects on how fortunate he feels to have learned from two incredible mentors. Drew emphasized that FAU Athletic Director Brian White made an impeccable decision in appointing Jakus to lead the program.
“As competent as he is as a coach, he’s an even better individual,” Drew told The Palm Beach Post following Jakus’s hiring at FAU. “He’s fantastic with players; they genuinely respect him and play with heart for him. He truly possesses no weaknesses. His coaching acumen spans offense and defense; he’s adept at recruiting and excels in mentorship.”
“Our success at both Baylor and Gonzaga was, in large part, due to his formidable contributions during our runs.”
Cal making progress ‘none of us saw coming’
Today, Cal is enrolled at Boca Raton High School, actively participating in the Exceptional Student Education program. He began speaking at the age of 5 and has shown remarkable progress over the past few years, improvements that John asserts were “none of us saw coming.”
“When he turned 12 or 13, I began to think, ‘This is just who he is going to be,’ ” John admitted. “I attribute most of this change to my wife, who relentlessly fought to find suitable therapies and support. He has truly transformed into an even better version of himself.”
Sara believes that Cal has significantly benefited from engaging with others, particularly family members.
“Having family around during our time in Texas over the last seven years was restorative for my children,” she shared. “When you’re surrounded by people who accept you and spend meaningful time with you, it can positively influence one’s development.”
While John and Sara have made Boca Raton their home, they briefly contemplated purchasing a property in mid-county, allowing Cal access to Ernie Els’ autism center in Jupiter, a renowned facility for treatment, research, and innovation established by the legendary golfer and his wife, Liezl.
Ultimately, they decided to remain closer to FAU.
“Every decision we’ve made has been centered around him,” John explained. “Our moves to Baylor, Gonzaga, and now to FAU were all influenced by what was best for Cal.”
“While I’ve had NBA opportunities and other interviews, we chose this position because it feels like the most supportive place for our family and his needs.”
Tom D’Angelo is a senior sports columnist and reporter for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at [email protected].
**Interview with John Jakus, Head Basketball Coach at Florida Atlantic University**
**Editor:** Good afternoon, John. Thank you for taking the time to talk with us today. It’s an exciting time for you and the Florida Atlantic basketball program. Can you share with us how you’re feeling as you prepare for your first game as head coach?
**John Jakus:** Thank you for having me! I’m feeling a mix of excitement and nerves, to be honest. This is a significant moment not only for me personally but for the entire program. It’s important to set the right tone for our season opener against Indiana State, especially as we kick off the Athletes in Action Total Athlete Tip-Off event.
**Editor:** It’s been quite a journey for you to reach this point. Can you talk a bit about your experiences that led you here, especially with the challenges your family faced?
**John Jakus:** Absolutely. My life took a dramatic turn after my son Cal was diagnosed with autism when he was just three years old. That diagnosis brought a lot of challenges for our family, but it ultimately guided our journey back to the U.S. and reshaped my career path. I believe that experience, as tough as it was, has profoundly influenced my approach to coaching and mentoring student-athletes.
**Editor:** How did the diagnosis impact your coaching aspirations, and what role did your faith play during that time?
**John Jakus:** The diagnosis forced me to re-evaluate everything. My initial plan was to coach internationally, but once we recognized Cal’s needs, our priorities shifted. My faith became a cornerstone during this period. It helped me understand that basketball could be more than just a game—it became a vehicle for change and meaningful experiences.
**Editor:** It sounds like Cal’s progress has been inspiring. How has he adapted since his diagnosis, and what role does he play in your life today?
**John Jakus:** Cal has made remarkable strides in his communication and social skills. The challenges we faced opened our eyes to the importance of patience, understanding, and family support. Now, as a 16-year-old, he’s thriving. I genuinely believe that without the journey we’ve had, I wouldn’t be standing here as the head coach of FAU today.
**Editor:** As you step into this new role, what are some of the core values you hope to instill in your team?
**John Jakus:** I want to emphasize resilience, teamwork, and the importance of using our platform for good. Each player brings something unique, and I believe in harnessing those strengths to create a cohesive unit. Life, much like basketball, is filled with challenges, and it’s about how we respond to them that defines us.
**Editor:** John, thank you for sharing such a personal insight into your life and career. We wish you the best of luck with the upcoming season.
**John Jakus:** Thank you! It’s going to be an exciting journey, and I appreciate the support.