NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Titans announced today that Don Coady, head football coach of Westview High School in Martin, Tenn. has been named as the Titans High School Football Coach of the Week for week two. Westview was the first team, other than the last two Blue Cross State Championship games, to beat Milan High School since 2007, ending Milan's 31- regular season game win streak, with a come from behind 15-14 victory.
"We are very proud of the work Coach Coady does with our kids," said Westview's Athletic Director Jeromy Davidson. "Coach Coady has assembled a fine staff that has worked with him greatly over the past few years to build the program to what we expect to be a contender every year."
Through the Titans Foundation, team owner K.S. "Bud" Adams, Jr. will make a $1,000 contribution to the Westview High School football program in Coach Coady's honor. Now in its 12th season, Mr. Adams has awarded more than $135,000 from the Titans Foundation to football programs across the state in honor of the Coach of the Week winners.
"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 Coady will be the Titans guest at the Titans vs. Houston Texans game 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 Coady 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 Keith Henry of Cofield School leading his team to a 28-27 victory over Sunbright (despite starting two freshman and an 8th grade offensive lineman); Shawn Witten of Elizabethton High School (had a dramatic 80 yard drive with 1:38 remaining to defeat Happy Valley 13-10); Robert Lassiter of Gallatin High School (led his team to a come from behind victory over visiting Mt. Juliet 33-28, with a 4 yard touchdown run with :07 seconds remaining).
"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.
