NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee Titans announced today that Jay Gore, head football coach of McGavock High School in Nashville, TN, has been named as the Titans High School Football Coach of the Weekfor week six. Trailing most of the game, McGavock rallied to tie the game against Overton High School 28-28 with a late third quarter kickoff return for touchdown. McGavock defeated Overton in overtime 35-28, by scoring in opening possession and stopping the opposition a yard short of a tie.
Gore coached this game with a heavy heart, due to the death of a good friend, former college football teammate and TSSAA Referee John Coles. Gore wrote Cole's school number 71, on his hand before the game and players wore pins inscribed with Cole's initials during the game.
"Coach Gore has outstanding character," says Robbin Wall, Principal of McGavock High School. "Coach is working with our kids day in & day out and not just about football but improving themselves as young men and his efforts are repaying on and off the field. There is an obvious change in the players athletically and academically. He is just a great role model for the students, I couldn't ask for a better person to be in charge of a football program or students."
Through the Titans Foundation, team owner K.S. "Bud" Adams, Jr. will make a $1,000 contribution to the McGavock High School football program in Coach Gore'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 Gore will be the team's guest at the Titans vs. Houston Texans contest on December 19th when the team honors all 2010 Coach of the Week winners and announces the winner of the 2010 Coach of the Year! Coach Gore 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 strong consideration in this week's poll was Ricky Bowers of Ensworth High School. Coach Bowers led his Tigers to another upset, defeating top-ranked Brentwood Academy 21-14.
Now in its 12th season, Mr. Adams has awarded more than $132,000 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.
