About
SCN VISION: To keep Christ at the heart of athletics by reading the Bible, applying its teachings, and encouraging our “flock” to continue seeking the Word of God long after they leave our care.
Shepherd Coach Network (SCN) is a network of athletic directors, coaches, parents, guardians & grandparents of athletes who love Jesus and want to follow him in all areas, including how they lead and coach.
Our Mission:
SCN MISSION: Produce exemplary disciples (coaches & athletes) through participation in athletics who can live, love, and lead with biblical character!
Here at SCN, We are going to ask you to not look at your role as the world does, but from an eternal perspective where coaching is a higher calling where you will be asked to be a coach who shepherds & disciples your flock God has entrusted in your care.
Working with us means you can be better equipped to handle the struggles that come with coaching and discipling others. Whether you’re refining what’s already in place or starting fresh, we’re here to help create a purposeful and impactful game plan for you!
Our Belief:
SCN Belief: The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy universal Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Meet
Tom Roy
Tom Roy’s background includes working for 3 years as a head coach at the high school level as well as 15 years of coaching at the Christian collegiate level.
Grace College has announced it’s upgraded baseball home will be named “Tom Roy – UPI Park”! Learn more about the fundraising efforts.
Tom also has 38 years of experience discipling and mentoring major league baseball players, as well as conducting clinics and camps in more than 60 different countries around the world.
Experience
- Former President and Founder of Unlimited Potential (UPI)
- Former Chaplain of the Chicago White Sox
- NCCAA Baseball World Series Chaplain for 30 years
- Signed with San Francisco Giants at age 17
- Former high school baseball, football, and basketball coach
- Former Grace College Lancers & Huntington University Forester coach
- Worked as an associate scout for MLB teams: Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, and Philadelphia Phillies
- Sits on numerous non-for-profit boards
Meet
Matt Binkerd, CMAA
Matt’s experience includes Matt Binkerd has six years of experience working part time as an athletic director at a Bible College along with more than 25 years of coaching experience in football and track & field.
Matt has over 22 years experience of being a high school athletic director!
Experience
- Earned 11 varsity letters and was all-state in three sports in high school
- Successful track & field athlete as a pole vaulter at the University of Oregon
- Led successful sports team and athletic department in state of Oregon
- Innovative Athletic Director of the Year in 2007, state of Oregon
- 25 years of coaching experience
- 20+ years of experience as an Athletic Director
- Certified Master Athletic Administrator (CMAA) through the NIIAAA.
Participating in the Shepherd Coach program impacted my thinking in two distinct ways. I reflected on the need to be Sewn (Scripture, Explain, Where to Apply, Now Pray) in order to lead the athletic department. Research around the power of four reminded me of the need to spend at least four days of week in scripture and prayer; the research was striking in terms of results yielded. I must first continue to develop a relationship with God in order to lead a Spirit filled athletic program. In addition, I see the need for developing structures in the athletic program that provide opportunities for coaches and student athletes to study and be challenged to grow in discipleship.
Bryan Kehr (Athletic Director) Hesston College
“I wholeheartedly recommend the Shepherd Coaching Network’s basic certification through the 7 Step Winning Discipleship Program. I am thankful for the opportunity to be discipled by Tom Roy and Matt Binkerd. These 2 men and this program have made a profound impact on me and my commitment to becoming a more impactful coach and athletic director. This is the best investment I could have made in my role as an athletic director to shepherd my coaches and athletes.”
Steve Shepherd (AD/Men's Basketball Coach) College of the Ozarks
I noticed an optional session called Shepherd Coaching offered at the NAACC National Meeting, and I am so glad I attended. I am always looking for resources to equip our coaching staff with Kingdom-building tools, and Tom and Matt do an excellent job. They have a genuine passion to see God’s Word shared with coaches, administrators, and student-athletes.
The Shepherd Coach program provides simple yet powerful tools to remind us of our true purpose in a broken world. One key concept—spending intentional time with the Lord four times a week—may seem small, but the impact is eternal.
I highly recommend this program for you and your staff. At Wayland, it has been so well received that several of our coaches now use it for staff devotionals. I also appreciate the weekly email, which gives me a moment to pause, reflect on Kingdom-building, and be encouraged through scripture and prayer.
Jim Giacomazzi (Director of Athletics) Wayland Baptist University
Become A Certified Shepherd Coach or A.D.
A Certified Shepherd Coach or Athletic Director is an individual who completes the level of training under the supervision of staff at SCN. This can be accomplished in person or virtually and will take 4-10 weeks of time to complete, depending on the level of course purchased.
Coaches/A.D. choose to become certified to:
- Better understand their journey as a leader.
- Be equipped to lead in a way that honors Jesus Christ.
- Get the tools to take their faith out of church on Sunday and live it out in tangible ways in their job as a coach / A.D.
Working With Coaches & Athletic Directors
We work with Christian coaches and athletic directors at all levels and currently provide certification at the following levels:
- Youth League
- High School
- College
Mentoring for coaches and athletic directors involved at the professional level is also available.
Books by Tom Roy
Tom Roy has authored or co-authored the following books, all of which are available for purchase on Amazon.com, many in Kindle format as well as print.
Shepherd Coach: Unlocking the Destiny of You and Your Players
“I give this book two thumbs up and a must have resource for any coach looking to lead like Jesus.”
