Impact
Records
Jeff Griffith
Cactus High School
Impact Statement
Griffith has led Cactus to multiple state championships throughout his career.
Biography
Griffith has built a powerhouse in the Phoenix area during his 23 years as head coach. Entering this season, his teams at Cactus have an overall record of 479-161-7 and won five Class 4A state titles, in 1987, 1989, 1994, 2003 and 2004.
Cactus also finished as the state runner-up in 1988, 1995 and 2002 and has won 13 region titles. After bowing out in the region final a year ago, this year’s team, led by the nation’s top senior catcher, Stacie Chambers, is ranked No. 3 in the USA Today/National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) High School Top 25.
Griffith was also named the 2004 NHSCA Softball Coach of the Year. Griffith ‘s Cobras now have back-to-back Class 4A state titles after a perfect 38-0 season this year.
After 23 years Griffith retired in 2006 leaving quite the legacy.
That being said, Griffith couldn’t stay away for too long and came out of retirement. He took a position at Paradise Valley Junior College. In 2011, Griffith went back to Cactus as the assistant coach.
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Records
Professional Achievements
Benson Polytechnic High School
McKenzie’s team motto: “ONE FAMILY, ONE HEARTBEAT”
McKenzie’s team motto: “ONE FAMILY, ONE HEARTBEAT”
Leon McKenzie
Benson Polytechnic High School
Impact Statement
McKenzie’s team motto: “ONE FAMILY, ONE HEARTBEAT”
Biography
Leon McKenzie of Benson Polytechnic High School in Portland, Oregon is the NHSCA National Coach of the Year in girls’ track and field after the school’s dynasty status has been solidified with five straight Class 4A titles.
McKenzie has coached Benson for 34 years until his retirement in 2014. His teams have boasted 11 State Titles and seven State Runner Ups. He was named Oregon Coach of the year 15 times.
McKenzie was also an assistant coach in football at Benson for 15 years.
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Records
Professional Achievements
Wheeler High School
“Chad believes the best part about track and field is having sixteen different events where student athletes can find some success along the way.”
“Chad believes the best part about track and field is having sixteen different events where student athletes can find some success along the way.”
Chad Walker
Wheeler High School
Impact Statement
“Chad believes the best part about track and field is having sixteen different events where student athletes can find some success along the way.”
Biography
Chad Walker of Wheeler High in Marietta, Georgia takes the top spot among boys’ track and field coaches this year after leading the Wildcats to the 5A state championship while posting some of the best overall results in the country.
Since being honored Walker took over the position at Starr’s Mill High School, a position he still maintains. In his tenure, his Panthers have finished second in the Girls’ State Meet twice and once for the boys.
Walker has also coached cross country and assisted with the football team’s wide receivers, the position he played while a student athlete at the University of Western Georgia.
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Records
Professional Achievements
Sunset High School
“Tennis is not just a sport, but a microcosm of you and a part of who you are. Tennis is an avenue for kids to develop, and I want to help them as much as I can.”
“Tennis is not just a sport, but a microcosm of you and a part of who you are. Tennis is an avenue for kids to develop, and I want to help them as much as I can.”
Emilio Gonzalez
Sunset High School
Impact Statement
“Tennis is not just a sport, but a microcosm of you and a part of who you are. Tennis is an avenue for kids to develop, and I want to help them as much as I can.”
Biography
In Girls’ Tennis NHSCA Coach of the Year Emilio Gonzalez kept Miami, Florida Sunset High on its record-breaking path with a ninth straight and 13th overall Florida 4A title this season.
While at Sunset his teams won 10 consecutive 4A state championships. That streak is a record that still stands. He also coached the boys’ tennis team to three straight titles. In 2003 his boys team won a National Tennis Tournament. Gonzalez retired from the Dade County school
system after 40 years.
Gonzalez still helps kids of all ages on the court. He was named USTA’s Volunteer of the Month in May of 2017 for his efforts in the Miami and Clearwater tennis communities.
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Community Service
Gonzalez is a board member with the Suncoast Tennis Association.
Records
Professional Achievements
Naples High School
“Giving the student athletes the tools necessary to make them successful both on and off the court. Tennis is like most things in life, you get out of it what you put into it.”
“Giving the student athletes the tools necessary to make them successful both on and off the court. Tennis is like most things in life, you get out of it what you put into it.”
Tony Kamen
Naples High School
Impact Statement
“Giving the student athletes the tools necessary to make them successful both on and off the court. Tennis is like most things in life, you get out of it what you put into it.”
Biography
Tony Kamen of Naples High School nailed down the Boys’ coaching honor as the 2004 Coach of the Year for Boy’s Tennis. Naples High won its third straight Florida 3A championship.
Since being honored, Kamen is still coaching his Naples Golden Eagles.
In 2018, Kame was the third inductee into the Florida High School Tennis Coaches Association’s Hall of Fame.
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Records
Professional Achievements
The Bolles School
Poppell’s success knows no limit. He led The Bolles School to state tiles over his tenure before leaving for the college sector.
Poppell’s success knows no limit. He led The Bolles School to state tiles over his tenure before leaving for the college sector.
Jeff Poppell
The Bolles School
Impact Statement
Poppell’s success knows no limit. He led The Bolles School to state tiles over his tenure before leaving for the college sector.
Biography
The 2004 NHSCA Girls’ Swimming Coach of the Year is none other than The Bolles School’s own, Jeff Poppell. This is the sixth year his program ended in the number one position in the nation. Since being honored in 2004 Poppell’s team won another Florida state title in 2005.
Poppell has continued success at many levels. Poppell coached The Bolles School until 2006 when he left for the head coach position for women’s swimming at the University of Arkansas. He led the Razorback’s to their best team finish in 2009 when they placed 5th in the Southeastern Conference Championships.
On the USA scene, Poppell was selected Head Women’s Coach for Team USA at the World Maccabiah Games in Israel in 2009. He was also an Assistant Coach for Team USA at the 2017 World University Games.
In 2012, Poppell left Arkansas and headed back to Gulliver High School in Miami, Florida. After four years and two more State Championships for the girls’ swimming team, Poppell was hired to take the reigns another top college.
Poppell was hired as the Head Women’s Swim Coach at the University of Florida before the 2017-2018 season. In 2019, he led the Gators to the best finish in recent times with a 24th place finish at the NCAA Tournament.
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Records
Professional Achievements
St. Xavier High School
Brower is the all-time leader in boys’ state championships in Ohio’s storied sports history.
Brower is the all-time leader in boys’ state championships in Ohio’s storied sports history.
Jim Brower
St. Xavier High School
Impact Statement
Brower is the all-time leader in boys’ state championships in Ohio’s storied sports history.
Biography
This year’s boy’s swimming honoree is St. Xavier High Coach Jim Brower. Brower is part of the legendary program which posted it’s sixth number #1 national ranking at the end of the season.
Since being honored Coach Brower stepped down from his position after the 2014-15 season. In his 23 years as head coach his teams accumulated 21 state titles, including nine straight from 1999 until 2007. He is the all-time leader in boys’ state championships in Ohio’s storied sports history.
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Records
Professional Achievements
New Trier High School
Burnside continues to lead New Trier to State Titles, from 2004 until now.
Burnside continues to lead New Trier to State Titles, from 2004 until now.
Jim Burnside
New Trier High School
Impact Statement
Burnside continues to lead New Trier to State Titles, from 2004 until now.
Biography
Jim Burnside of New Trier High in Winnetka, Illinois is the 2004 NHSCA National Girls’ Soccer Coach of the Year honoree. Burnside’s troops won a second straight Illinois title with back-to-back undefeated campaigns.
Since being honored in 2004, Burnside has kept New Trier at the top of the class. In addition to the two titles from the early 2000’s, Burnside and Trevian’s won four more in 2006, 2014, 2015 and 2016. The Trevians also finished second in the state in 2005, 2017 and 2018.
Burnside has amassed 529 career victories as of the completion of the 2019 season and finished 3rd at the Illinois 3A State Championships.
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Articles
Records
Professional Achievements
St. Louis University High School
“One of my major priorities has been to treat each and every player with respect & to give each player the opportunity to contribute something of lasting value to the team.”
“One of my major priorities has been to treat each and every player with respect & to give each player the opportunity to contribute something of lasting value to the team.”
Charlie Martel
St. Louis University High School
Impact Statement
“One of my major priorities has been to treat each and every player with respect & to give each player the opportunity to contribute something of lasting value to the team.”
Biography
Charlie Martel of St. Louis University High School is the NHSCA National Coach of the Year honoree in boy’s soccer. Martel led his team to it’s celebrated state title after coming painfully close in several recent seasons.
Since his honoring in 2004, Coach Martel continued to lead the Bills until his retirement in 2017, after 25 years at the helm. The Bills finished 5th in the State of Missouri and won 21 games his final season. He boasts over 500 wins in his career.
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Articles
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Professional Achievements
Mount Notre Dame
FitzHugh has greatly impacted Mount Notre Dame Girls’ Golf but also made a huge contribution in Basketball.
FitzHugh has greatly impacted Mount Notre Dame Girls’ Golf but also made a huge contribution in Basketball.
Grayson FitzHugh
Mount Notre Dame
Impact Statement
FitzHugh has greatly impacted Mount Notre Dame Girls’ Golf but also made a huge contribution in Basketball.
Biography
Girls’ golf coach and national honoree Grayson FitzHugh of Mount Notre Dame (Cincinnati, Ohio) High led his squad to it’s second straight Division 1 title, this one by an impressive 23-stroke victory.
FitzHugh was named as the SWOHGGCA Coach of the Year in 2003 and 2004. He was also honored as the Girls’ Greater Catholic League Coach of the Year from 2001 through 2005.
Over the course of his career he led Mount Notre Dame to four trips to the Ohio State Championship as a team. Individually, he had State Qualifiers in 2004, 2005 and 2006.
In addition, FitzHugh spent 20 years as the head freshman basketball coach. He had a career record 221-46. He also spent 16 seasons as the assistant varsity basketball coach. The basketball team won 7 State Championships and was a runner-up once.
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Records
Professional Achievements
Jenks High School
“Every baseball field is the same, every basketball court is the same and every football field is the same. But, every golf course is different.” -Bill Roller on his love of golf
“Every baseball field is the same, every basketball court is the same and every football field is the same. But, every golf course is different.” -Bill Roller on his love of golf
Bill Roller
Jenks High School
Impact Statement
“Every baseball field is the same, every basketball court is the same and every football field is the same. But, every golf course is different.” -Bill Roller on his love of golf
Biography
With six consecutive state titles, and eight since 1994, Oklahoma’s Jenks High School boys’ golf coach Bill Roller receives NHSCA Coach of the Year honors.
Since 2004 Roller and his Trojans finished second in the state in 2011, 2012 and 2014.
Roller coached a multitude of sports while at Jenks. He coached Baseball, Boys’ Basketball, Softball, Girls’ Golf, and Boys’ Golf. Roller retired from Jenks after 37 years of service in 2018.
He and his wife recently started a new girls’ program at Regents Preparatory Academy, where he is now the girls’ head coach while his wife is the boys’ head coach. In this first year (2019), the Lady Rams finished second in the state.
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Records
Saratoga Springs High School
” If you want to succeed, you have to put in the time and effort” -The Kranick’s coaching philosophy
” If you want to succeed, you have to put in the time and effort” -The Kranick’s coaching philosophy
Art and Linda Kranick
Saratoga Springs High School
Impact Statement
” If you want to succeed, you have to put in the time and effort” -The Kranick’s coaching philosophy
Biography
On the girls’ side of Girl’s Cross Country coaches, the ultra-successful spousal coaching tandem of Art and Linda Kranick of Saratoga Springs, New York collected national coach of the year honors as their Blue Streaks finished as the top-ranked team among all female cross country squads nationwide in 2004.
The Kranick’s have been coaching at Saratoga Springs since 1985. The partnership works as they both know their strengths and make it work. Over the last few decades they have coached multiple Sectional, State, and National champions and participants.
In 2018 the Kranick’s led Saratoga Springs back to the winner’s circle as the Blue Streaks claimed a 15th place in the New York State Championships.
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Articles
Records
Professional Achievements
The Woodlands
“Winning is a by product of commitment, hard work and sacrifice.” -Dan Green
“Winning is a by product of commitment, hard work and sacrifice.” -Dan Green
Dan Green
The Woodlands
Impact Statement
“Winning is a by product of commitment, hard work and sacrifice.” -Dan Green
Biography
Dan Green, coach of The Woodlands, Texas, boys’ cross country team has received the NHSCA highest coaching honor after his harriers added an 11th state title to his 34-year coaching resume.
The Woodlands both began and finished the season as the top ranked boys’ cross country program in the nation, the second time a Green-coached squad has done so.
After receiving this honor, Green continued to lead The Woodlands High School to success until he passed the “torch” to his son in 2008, but not before the Highlanders ran to their third straight team championship. This one give Coach Green fifteen overall State Championships.
Over the course of his career, Green has coached many individual runners to State Championships, National Championships and Olympic Trials.
Green is still active and is the Head Coach of Team Green Running located in The Woodlands, Texas.
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Articles
Records
Professional Achievements
Murry Bergtraum High School
“It’s a very hard job, getting the kids in college, watching kids’ academics. It was very satisfying to help a lot of kids.” -Ed Grezinsky
“It’s a very hard job, getting the kids in college, watching kids’ academics. It was very satisfying to help a lot of kids.” -Ed Grezinsky
Ed Grezinsky
Murry Bergtraum High School
Impact Statement
“It’s a very hard job, getting the kids in college, watching kids’ academics. It was very satisfying to help a lot of kids.” -Ed Grezinsky
Biography
The 2004 Girls’ Basketball Coach of the Year is Ed Grezinsky of Murry Bergtraum High in Manhattan, New York. Grezinsky’s Lady Blazers survived the tough New York postseason tournament to capture a third straight Class AA state championship.
Over the course of his career Grezinsky led Murry Bergtraum to 15 consecutive PSAL league championships before he stepped down in 2014 after over two decades.
By the spring of 2018 Grezinsky found a new school and was announced as Archbishop Molloy’s head coach.
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Articles
Records
Peabody Magnet High School
“Education + Basketball + College = Success”
-Charles Smith’s equation he tells his players
“Education + Basketball + College = Success”
-Charles Smith’s equation he tells his players
Charles Smith
Peabody Magnet High School
Impact Statement
“Education + Basketball + College = Success”
-Charles Smith’s equation he tells his players
Biography
Charles Smith of Peabody Magnet High School in Alexandria, Louisiana is the 2004 Coach of the Year. Smith, who has over 500 coaching wins in his career, led Peabody to its fourth Class 4A boys’ state title and its first national ranking at No. 5 after the school finished with a perfect 41-0 record.
Since honoring Smith in 2004, he has continued to lead the Warhorses on the same path. He has seven state championships under his belt and more then 1,000 wins. During his career over 60 of his players have received college scholarships, an important issue for Coach Smith.
Most recently, in 2020 Smith was selected to coach at the McDonald’s All Star Game in April.
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Articles
Videos
Records
Professional Achievements
Northampton High School
“One of the greatest things Northampton wrestling has achieved is sending kids to some great colleges. This sets them up for later in life.” -Terry Daubert
“One of the greatest things Northampton wrestling has achieved is sending kids to some great colleges. This sets them up for later in life.” -Terry Daubert
Terry Daubert
Northampton High School
Impact Statement
“One of the greatest things Northampton wrestling has achieved is sending kids to some great colleges. This sets them up for later in life.” -Terry Daubert
Biography
In wrestling, Terry Daubert’s Northampton, Pennsylvania grapplers repeated as the Keystone State AAA state champions and qualified a record 11-team members to the state finals. The team finished with three individual state champions and 10 total medalists, while Daubert’s high school coaching record improved to 78-8.
As an NHSCA national coach honoree, Daubert exemplifies the manner in which a dedicated coach can succeed at any level, as his junior high squads held a 117-7 record prior to his moving onto the prep level.
Daubert took over the Konkrete Kids program from legendary coach and 1998 NHSCA Coach of the Year, Don Rohn. Since his honoring in 2004, Duabert continued the success of the program until his retirement in 2011.
Over eleven years, Daubert led Northampton to two PIAA AAA Team State Titles and coached 10 individual PIAA AAA State Champs.
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Articles
Records
Professional Achievements
Wimberly High School
“Each individual player was an achievement, no matter what their skill level when they finished.” -Lee Grisham, on what he’ll miss upon retirement
“Each individual player was an achievement, no matter what their skill level when they finished.” -Lee Grisham, on what he’ll miss upon retirement
Lee Grisham
Wimberly High School
Impact Statement
“Each individual player was an achievement, no matter what their skill level when they finished.” -Lee Grisham, on what he’ll miss upon retirement
Biography
In volleyball, NHSCA honoree Lee Grisham of Wimberley High has now led his teams to four state titles in the past five years, including the last three in a row in Texas’ Class 3A division. This season Grisham’s squad was ranked the best in the state regardless of division and one of the tops in the nation.
Grisham completed his career in 2011 after 29 years, 15 of which were at Wimberley. He finished his career as coach of six state championship teams, including two teams that his daughters played on. He had 559 career wins.
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Videos
Records
De La Salle High School
“We’re not asking you to play a perfect game. That’s impossible. What we’re asking of you,and what you should be asking of yourself, is that you give a perfect effort.”
“We’re not asking you to play a perfect game. That’s impossible. What we’re asking of you,and what you should be asking of yourself, is that you give a perfect effort.”
Bob Ladouceur
De La Salle High School
Impact Statement
“We’re not asking you to play a perfect game. That’s impossible. What we’re asking of you,and what you should be asking of yourself, is that you give a perfect effort.”
Biography
The choice as NHSCA National Football Coach of the Year was readily apparent this season, as Bob Ladouceur’s De La Salle squad in Concord, California has now reeled off a national record 151 wins in a row. Ladoucer’s Spartans have now won 12 consecutive California Interscholastic Federation North Coast titles.
Ledouceur lead De La Salle to five California State Bowl championships in 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012.
With a remarkable overall coaching record of 399–25–3, his record gave him a winning percentage of .934 and makes him the winningest football coach in the CIF history. Ladouceur resigned as the head coach in 2013, although he remained on staff as an assistant coach until the 2019 season.
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Videos
Records
Professional Achievements
Skowhegan Area High School
“Of course I still love to win. But it’s all about my kids and their futures and seeing them do great things. I love it so much.” -Paula Doughty
“Of course I still love to win. But it’s all about my kids and their futures and seeing them do great things. I love it so much.” -Paula Doughty
Paula Doughty
Skowhegan Area High School
Impact Statement
“Of course I still love to win. But it’s all about my kids and their futures and seeing them do great things. I love it so much.” -Paula Doughty
Biography
Longtime Skowhegan Area High School coach Paula Doughty is the 2004’s NHSCA selection in the sport of field hockey, after leading the Indians to a third straight Maine state title.
This marked the team’s ninth trip to the state championship game since 1991 and its sixth title in that span.
Much has happened since Doughty was first honored as Coach of the Year in 2004. Currently, as of 2019, Doughty is still coaching and still winning.
Since 2004, Doughty’s field hockey teams have won 12 state championships. In addition, the team has made 15 final appearances. In 2016, Doughty hit the 500 career wins marker.
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Articles
Records
Professional Achievements
Vestavia Hills High School
“Our field and our program were built with tremendous young men, so you’ve got to give them all the credit. You don’t win a game unless you’ve got great players.” -Dunn
“Our field and our program were built with tremendous young men, so you’ve got to give them all the credit. You don’t win a game unless you’ve got great players.” -Dunn
Sammy Dunn
Vestavia Hills High School
Impact Statement
“Our field and our program were built with tremendous young men, so you’ve got to give them all the credit. You don’t win a game unless you’ve got great players.” -Dunn
Biography
Dunn’s Vestavia Hills team was once again among the best in the state of Alabama. Dunn, who has waged a valiant battle against medical issues to remain highly involved with his squad, is widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches in all-of-the-South, regardless of sport.
Over the years his teams have collected nine state titles, including a state record seven in a row. Dunn completed his career with a record of 621-159. He is the winningest coach in the history of Alabama high school baseball.
Dunn was also the Rebels’ football coach for over 20 years. He coached two state championship teams in 1980 and 1998.
Dunn has many collected many accolades over his career. In 1984, he was on the Baseball Olympic Selection Committee.
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