John has been coaching girls since 1986, when he began coaching his daughter and other 8-year old girls in a t-ball league. While pitching batting practices as he progressed through the age brackets with them, John learned to pitch himself. To help his player excel, he sought out the most knowledgeable pitching instructors, nationally and internationally. He studied with New Zealand pitchers, female Olympians, pitching gurus from California and numerous college athletes, coaches and kinesiologists. In 1989, he and a group of fathers started the Oak Park Windmills of Oak Park, Illinois—a fast-pitch travel organization. He continues to provide training and mentoring to the team and other rival organizations. In 1996, 10 of John’s students went on to play at the College Division I level. That team took second place at the 18U Class A ASA National Championship. Each year, he produces some of the finest players in the country. His extensive background and experience have helped students achieve at the highest levels of the sport in travel ball (at the different levels), high school, and NCAA Collegiate Divisions. In addition, because of the broad base of skills taught by Coach Hanrahan students continue to earn scholarships every year.