Team Spieth: John Fields
John Fields – College Mentor
Spieth’s college coach on recruiting him and his role on a winning team.
How special was it for Jordan to come and play his college golf at the University of Texas?
A funny thing happened when I was recruiting him. He was on his fourth or fifth campus visit and he was in my office and I asked him, “Jordan, do you know what I’ll be if you come to Texas?” He looked at me and said, “What are you talking about coach? I have no idea, what?” His dad Shawn was sitting there with a smile on his face and I replied, “Well, I’ve been here 13 years and obviously I think I’m a good coach, and my boss thinks I’m a good coach or I wouldn’t still be here, but if you come here I think I’m going to be a great coach.” He laughed and asked “Why?” “Great players make great coaches,” I said. “It’s not the other way around.” I’m seriously appreciative that the Jordan Spieth family, if you will, decided that Texas was the right place. He’s a gift. I pinch myself when I try to believe what’s happened to our team.
Did Jordan talk to his shots as much then as he does now?
Absolutely, he’s a very expressive person. But in a positive way. In this regard when he’s out on the course he’s his own best coach. Now he’s got an incredible team surrounding him and the angel on his shoulder is Michael Greller (his caddie). He’s been with him a long time now.
How vocal was he as a leader on the Texas golf team?
He’s definitely a confident individual. We encourage our guys to speak up at tournament prep meetings but not only did Jordan speak up, he spoke up with confidence and knowledge whether it was about the course, the competitive aspects of it or what the weather was going to be like. We had a nickname for him. He was the ‘weatherman’ because he always knew what the weather was going to be and he always had great thoughts on the golf course.
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