NASHVILLE, TN, Nov. 3, 2008 —The Tennessee Titans announced today that Graham Clark, head football coach of Dobyns-Bennett High School in Kingsport, Tenn., has been named the Titans High School Football Coach of the Week for Week 10. The Dobyns-Bennett Indians defeated Science Hill 10-6 to capture the Region 1-5A title.
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"We are really fortunate to have Coach Clark leading our football program as we believe he is one of the best coaches in the state of Tennessee," said Dobyns-Bennett Athletic Director Cary Daniels. "The respect and admiration he has from his players is evident as they continue to come back and visit long after they have graduated."
Through the Titans Foundation, team owner K.S. "Bud" Adams, Jr. will make a $1,000 contribution to the Dobyns-Bennett High School football program in Coach Clark's honor.
"High school football enjoys a great tradition in Tennessee," said Adams. "That tradition is based not only on the outstanding quality of play but on the devotion of their coaches who continue to develop high school football players into young men of strong character. I'm very pleased to underwrite this program that recognizes the efforts of so many talented high school coaches across the state!"
Coach Clark will be the team's guest at the Titans vs. Pittsburgh Steelers game on December 21st when the team honors all 2008 Coach of the Week winners and announces the winner of the 2008 Coach of the Year! Coach Clark is now eligible for the Tennessee Titans Coach of the Year award and Adams will make an additional $2,000 grant to the Titans Coach of the Year winner on that date.
Also receiving votes for the coach of the week was Hendersonville's Bruce Hatfield whose club avenged three earlier losses in past years to Hunters Lane to defeat them 17-6 in 2008, Howard's Alvin Tarver who led his team to a 33-14 region title victory over McMinn Central, Darren Bowling of Union City High School whose club won their ninth straight game by knocking off Gleason 63-22 and Smyrna's Matt Williams whose club picked off three passes to secure a 23-7 victory over Wilson Central.
Now in its 11th season, the Adams has awarded more than $112,000 from the Titans Foundation to football programs across the state in honor of the Coach of the Week winners.
"High school football coaches can play a role in the lives of their players that will have lasting results," said NFL director of football operations Gene Washington. "A competitive spirit, good sportsmanship and character development are some of the issues confronted on a daily basis by football coaches. We are thankful for the many coaches around the country who assume such a demanding role."
The criterion for selection includes the coach's impact on his team, school and community. A statewide media panel votes each week to determine the weekly winner. All high school football coaches in Tennessee, regardless of their school's size, league, or division, are eligible to be selected each week. The program is designed to recognize high school coaches who transform, through their hard work and dedication, student-athletes into the best possible football players and citizens in their community.
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