The diagnosis was painful and perhaps, at first, overwhelming. Yet John and Sara Jakus knew that their lives and focus were about to undergo a profound transformation.
Forever.
At the time, the couple was living in Macedonia, a region of Southeast Europe. John’s mission centered on intertwining his faith with his passion for coaching basketball. He was fulfilling this calling by joining the staff of Athletes in Action, a sports ministry. His aspiration was to coach overseas, guiding athletes not only in sport but also in life.
“I kind of was taught from them what it meant to use basketball to change people’s lives and not just make it transactional,” John said. “Instead, you make it transformational.”
But all of that was paused in 2011 when their middle child, Cal, was diagnosed with autism at age 3. He wasn’t speaking, and the news that followed was even more devastating: Cal might never talk.
“Who he was at 12 was probably who he would be long term,” they were told.
Their journey shifted, becoming a pursuit for understanding and supporting Cal, who now required their utmost dedication. Little did they know that this path would lead John to his current role as head basketball coach at Florida Atlantic University (FAU).
“I just remember feeling like we were on a time clock. So we had to make a change,” John said recently following practice as the Owls prepared for their season opener and his first college head coach game, Monday against Indiana State in Dayton, Ohio, as part of the Athletes in Action Total Athlete Tip-Off.
Without hesitation, the family packed up and moved back to the United States, prioritizing Cal’s needs over John’s coaching career. Alongside Cal, John and Sara are parents to Brady, a freshman at the University of Arkansas, and Harper, their 12-year-old daughter. Cal is now 16.
“There was a plan the whole time,” John said, reflecting on the challenges they had faced.
Cal Becomes the Family’s Priority
While the signs were subtle at first, John and Sara noticed behaviors that raised questions. Initially, family members observed certain behaviors in Cal that were unusual. However, since he had started speaking, the couple’s worries subsided—until he stopped speaking entirely. Cal’s regression signaled something deeper, and the autism diagnosis brought clarity, altering their path.
“I can vividly remember he started sitting in the corner and staring at the wall and then not engaging other people or other kids,” John, 49, said. “That’s when we went from, ‘OK, maybe he’s a late talker,’ to ‘there’s probably something more going on here.’ “
Sara took Cal back to Cincinnati for appointments, determined to find the help he needed. The autism diagnosis was a turning point, setting their journey on an entirely new trajectory.
“Probably the most painful experience I have ever walked through with any of my kids,” Sara recalled. “Even though it’s been hard, and it’s not a journey I would ever wish on anyone to walk, I think God has used … one of the most painful things in our lives to give us some of the most amazing blessing in our lives.”
Through the difficulties, Sara recognized that Cal’s autism might have influenced John’s journey into coaching. “I don’t think John would be the head coach at FAU if Cal didn’t have autism,” she noted.
With a son who was nonverbal and in a country where English was a second language, the family made the difficult decision to return to the U.S. John took a year-long sabbatical from coaching, which was challenging for someone deeply devoted to his career. However, Sara emphasized John’s commitment to making choices that benefited their family.
“He would look at it that we shifted gears or moved in a different direction or stayed somewhere a little bit longer because it wasn’t going to be the right thing for our family at that time,” she said.
Initially, they stayed with family and friends before settling in Orlando, Florida, home to the Campus Crusade (Cru) headquarters. There, they found therapy for Cal, attended sessions, and became deeply involved in his development. And, of course, they found some joy amidst the struggles by purchasing Disney World passes. “We just did the best we could,” John said.
A Step Toward Baylor and a Transformative Career Shift
During a tournament in Macedonia, John crossed paths with Tim Maloney, then Baylor University’s director of basketball operations. Maloney eventually introduced John to Baylor’s head coach, Scott Drew.
The opportunity to work at Baylor offered a perfect blend of support for Cal and a path back into high-level college coaching. Baylor housed an exceptional Autism Resource Clinic, ensuring Cal had access to quality therapy. For John, this new position at Baylor as a graduate assistant at age 37 was humbling yet invaluable.
“That was the best decision,” John said. “It gave (Sara) a home. It gave Cal therapy. Sara felt supported in that role for maybe the first time. And it gave her two years of peace of mind.”
The therapy Cal received at Baylor laid a foundation for future growth. His tics—common for children on the autism spectrum—were improving, but he still wasn’t talking. While progress was slow, the therapy offered hope.
During this time, John worked closely with Drew, and his dedication soon led him to a position at Gonzaga University, thanks to a recommendation from Grant McCasland, then an assistant at Baylor. At Gonzaga, John served as the director of basketball operations for three years, a role he found rewarding both professionally and personally.
“I felt like what I cared about overseas I could get at Gonzaga,” John said. “A third of the team was international. Cal could get what he needed, and I could still have the stuff I love as a part of my life.”
After his stint at Gonzaga, John returned to Baylor, where he eventually became associate head coach, helping the team win a national championship in 2021. The journey had come full circle, and both Gonzaga and Baylor played instrumental roles in shaping his career.
Cal’s Journey Continues: Progress Beyond Expectation
Today, Cal is a student at Boca Raton High School, where he’s part of the Exceptional Student Education program. He started speaking at age 5, and his progress has continued in ways that exceeded even John’s hopes.
“I remember when he turned 12, 13, I thought, ‘Man, this is kind of who he is,'” John reflected. “I give my wife most of the credit, just not giving up, continuing to fight, find the right therapy and help. I mean, he’s really, really changed and grown recently.”
Sara noted that Cal’s interactions with others have been a crucial part of his development, particularly time spent with family.
“Being around family the last seven years in Texas was really life-giving for my kids,” she said. “When you have people who are comfortable with you, and spend time with you, and encourage you, I think that plays into (Cal’s progress) as well.”
Their current residence in Boca Raton is close to FAU, which enables John to continue his career while also ensuring they can focus on Cal’s well-being. While they briefly considered other locations, proximity to Cal’s support systems ultimately guided their decision.
“We made all our decisions based on him,” John said. “Going to Baylor was him. Going to Gonzaga was him. Coming back to Baylor was him. And even (coming to FAU).”
As John looks forward to his first season as FAU’s head coach, he sees not only an opportunity to grow professionally but also a reflection of the journey that his family has taken together, from Cal’s autism diagnosis to this moment of personal and professional achievement. Through the challenges, their commitment to each other has remained unbreakable, carrying them forward with resilience and faith.
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