Impact
Records
Dan Kuiper
Valley Christian High School
Impact Statement
Kuiper led on the track and in the classroom. He has coached Valley Christian to 26 State Championships and was named 2019 Educator of the Year.
Biography
Kuiper has built a small-school powerhouse in the Phoenix area. Last weekend his girls team won its 11th consecutive Class 2A state title and 14th overall since 1992. His teams also earned one runner-up and one third-place finish.
In 2002 Kuiper also assumed the boys head coaching duties and has led them to four titles in a row as well.
Since being honored in 2005, Kuiper continued to coach until 2014. Over the course of his career his teams won a total of 26 state track and field championships.
In addition to coaching, Kuiper has held a number of positions as an educator. He resigned after the 2014 coaching season to become Chandler’s Principal. In 2019 he became the Superintendent of Valley Christian Schools.
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Videos
Records
Personal Honors
Russellville High School
Over the course of his career, Carnahan’s teams teams won 11 state championships and 12 state runner-up finishes.
Over the course of his career, Carnahan’s teams teams won 11 state championships and 12 state runner-up finishes.
Don Carnahan
Russellville High School
Impact Statement
Over the course of his career, Carnahan’s teams teams won 11 state championships and 12 state runner-up finishes.
Biography
In a coaching career spanning 30 years Carnahan’s teams have won a total of 10 state championships in indoor and outdoor track and cross country, along with 12 runner-up finishes.
In the 2001-02 season his teams won the state’s “Triple Crown” – Class 5A titles in cross country, indoor and outdoor track – and he was selected the state’s Coach of the Year in cross country and outdoor track.
A five-time state Coach of the Year, he was inducted into the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1998 and the Arkansas Track and Field Hall of Fame in 2003.
After being honored in 2005, Carnahan coached the next two season before retiring in 2007. Over the course of his career his teams won 11 state championships and 12 state runner-up finishes.
Since his retirement Carnahan is still active officiating local and state track meets.
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Records
Professional Achievements
Catalina Foothills High School
“Coaching is my passion — I love connecting with the kids.” -Kristie Stevens
“Coaching is my passion — I love connecting with the kids.” -Kristie Stevens
Kristie Stevens
Catalina Foothills High School
Impact Statement
“Coaching is my passion — I love connecting with the kids.” -Kristie Stevens
Biography
Stevens’ Catalina Foothills High team recently won its sixth consecutive Class 4A state title. During the regular season they also established statewide supremacy with a 7-2 victory over the two-time Class 5A team champion, Tucson Salpointe High. Stevens also coached the individual state champions in singles and doubles four straight years, from 2001-04.
Since honoring Stevens in 2005, she continues to lead Catalina Foothills and maintains their status as one of the best teams in Arizona.
In 2019 Stevens announced she would be retiring at the the completion of the season after 26 years. Her departure was par for the course as she and the Falcons won their 15th State Championship. This feat is only matched by one other coach and team in Arizona’s storied history.
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Records
Professional Achievements
Bishop O'Gorman High School
“I learned my game by watching others and just love all the aspects of the game–the athleticism and competitiveness it requires to win.” -Don Barnes
“I learned my game by watching others and just love all the aspects of the game–the athleticism and competitiveness it requires to win.” -Don Barnes
Don Barnes
Bishop O'Gorman High School
Impact Statement
“I learned my game by watching others and just love all the aspects of the game–the athleticism and competitiveness it requires to win.” -Don Barnes
Biography
In two separate coaching stints – from 1972-79 and 1995 to the present – Barnes’s boys’ teams at O’Gorman High have finished in the state’s Class A top 10 every one of his 18 seasons. Fourteen of those were top five finishes and his 2003 team won the state title. He also coached the girls’ tennis team from 1976-79, winning the state title each of those four seasons.
Barnes was inducted into the South Dakota Tennis Hall of Fame in 2001 and was voted the Coach of the Year in 2003. His wife, Kate, has coached O’Gorman’s girls teams for five seasons, leading them to two runner-up state finishes, two third-place finishes and a fourth-place finish.
Since being honored, Barnes continues to coach at Bishop O’Gorman, one of the elite schools in South Dakota.
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Professional Achievements
Hamilton Southeastern High School
Pedersen is the leader of the Hamilton Southeastern Boys’ & Girls’ swimming team that continue to excel in Indiana.
Pedersen is the leader of the Hamilton Southeastern Boys’ & Girls’ swimming team that continue to excel in Indiana.
Andy Pedersen
Hamilton Southeastern High School
Impact Statement
Pedersen is the leader of the Hamilton Southeastern Boys’ & Girls’ swimming team that continue to excel in Indiana.
Biography
Pedersen’s teams at Hamilton Southeastern High have finished in the state’s top 10 every year since 1999, including four top-five finishes. This year’s team finished second in the state tournament and his 200-meter medley relay team set a state record in that event.
The Indiana High School Swimming Coaches Association voted him its Girls Coach of the Year in 2002, 2003 and 2005 and he is also a five-time Region Coach of the Year.
Since being honored in 2005 Pedersen has continued to lead Hamilton Southeastern to state titles.
His Royals have earned 17 straight girls’ section titles and twelve consecutive boys’ titles. The girls have finished first in their section at the IHSAA Championships five times. His boy’s team took first at the State Championship in 2007 and second in 2008.
Additionally, three of his relay teams have won a state title. During his time coaching Pedersen has coached over 100 All- Americans.
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Records
Professional Achievements
New Tier High School
“One is team building. One is leadership, which is important, because as you probably know leaders build teams.” -Onstott’s coaching philosophy
“One is team building. One is leadership, which is important, because as you probably know leaders build teams.” -Onstott’s coaching philosophy
Mark Onstott
New Tier High School
Impact Statement
“One is team building. One is leadership, which is important, because as you probably know leaders build teams.” -Onstott’s coaching philosophy
Biography
A 30-year coaching veteran, who also has coached in Iowa and Texas, Onstott has coached New Trier High’s boys team since 1995. His 2004 team won the state title and his 2005 team finished third. At New Trier his teams have posted a 103-8-1 dual meet record, won 10 conference titles, eight sectional titles and have earned nine top-10 state meet finishes.
He has coached 63 all-state swimmers and 47 National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association (NISCA) All-Americans. In 2003 he also took over the girls program, which has finished second, third and fourth in the state meet. A five-time Illinois Coach of the Year, he is the current NISCA president.
Since his honoring Onstott and New Trier won an additional five state titles and was the runner up in 2008. Onstott retried from coaching after the 2013-2014 season.
During his time at New Tier, his teams have won over 900 dual meets and his swimmers have earned 182 High School All American accolades.
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Articles
Records
Professional Achievements
University High School
Taylor boasts over 1,000 career victories over his coaching career.
Taylor boasts over 1,000 career victories over his coaching career.
Rusty Taylor
University High School
Impact Statement
Taylor boasts over 1,000 career victories over his coaching career.
Biography
Taylor, 58, is believed to have won more soccer games than any other American high school coach. A Philadelphia native who played five sports at Friends Central School, Taylor has coached the boys and girls teams at University High since 1979. He earned his 1,000th career victory in October 2003, and his record at the time stood at 1,000-175-105 (.851 winning percentage), with his girls teams earning 554 of those victories. His boys teams have won four North Coast Section Class A state titles, most recently in 2004. He has coached 20 High School All-Americans, including World Cup player Tiffany Roberts and former WUSA star Megan Horvath.
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Records
River Hill High School
Stara led Centennial and River Hill to a combined 14 State Titles over the course of his high school coaching career.
Stara led Centennial and River Hill to a combined 14 State Titles over the course of his high school coaching career.
William Stara
River Hill High School
Impact Statement
Stara led Centennial and River Hill to a combined 14 State Titles over the course of his high school coaching career.
Biography
Stara has been the only soccer coach in River Hill High’s nine-year history. River Hill has become a state power during his tenure, reaching the Class 3A state final seven times and winning its sixth state title this season.
River Hill finished the season ranked No. 8 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/Adidas Region IV rankings, and Stara was voted National Division I Coach of the Year, becoming the first coach to be so honored by that association in both its High School and Youth Boys divisions.
Since being honored by the NHSCA Stara has continued to be active in soccer. He completed his high school coaching career with 14 state championships – seven at Centennial High School and seven at River Hill.
Stara is currently the Director of Education at the Broomfield Soccer Club in Colorado.
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Records
Xavier College Preparatory School
“Values, academics, activities and athletics all work to empower young women to become leaders and caring, successful people.” – Winsor’s core coaching principles
“Values, academics, activities and athletics all work to empower young women to become leaders and caring, successful people.” – Winsor’s core coaching principles
Sister Lynn Winsor
Xavier College Preparatory School
Impact Statement
“Values, academics, activities and athletics all work to empower young women to become leaders and caring, successful people.” – Winsor’s core coaching principles
Biography
Winsor’s record at Xavier has been matched by few coaches anywhere. Her teams have won 23 of the last 25 Class 5A state titles, including the last seven in a row, and were runners-up the other two years.
Also Xavier’s athletic director since 1977, Winsor was awarded the Citation of Excellence by the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association in 1989 and is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Arizona State University Alumni Association.
Since being honored by the NHSCA, Winsor has led Xavier as the Principal from 1974 until 2016. She was announced as the new President, a position she still holds.
Xavier won twelve straight 5A titles from 1998 until 2010, when the Gators finished second. Xavier went on to win the next four years until she retired from coaching in 2014.
In 2018 Winsor was honored as the recipient of the first AIA Lifetime Achievement Award for her many accomplishments.
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Articles
Records
Professional Achievements
St. Charles North High School
“Coaching kids, success is measured in a different way. Some of the ‘little’ achievements are as big as the big ones that everyone remembers.” -Rob Prentiss
“Coaching kids, success is measured in a different way. Some of the ‘little’ achievements are as big as the big ones that everyone remembers.” -Rob Prentiss
Rob Prentiss
St. Charles North High School
Impact Statement
“Coaching kids, success is measured in a different way. Some of the ‘little’ achievements are as big as the big ones that everyone remembers.” -Rob Prentiss
Biography
Competing in one of the most competitive areas of the Chicago suburbs, Prentiss led the unified St. Charles High program to Class AA state titles in 1991 and 1998. The Saints finished in the state’s top five nine times between 1988 and 1999.
When St. Charles High split into two four-year schools in 2000, Prentiss moved to brand-new St. Charles North High to build a program. His 2002 team was regional champion and his 2003 and 2004 teams also advanced to sectional competition.
In addition to golf, Prentiss is also an assistant boys’ basketball coach.
Since being honored in 2005, Prentiss lead Charles North until his retirement after the 2017 school year.
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Records
Professional Achievements
Lumen Christi High School
“My most cherished memories are the relationships I have formed with athletes, parents, students and coworkers.” -Mike Woolsey
“My most cherished memories are the relationships I have formed with athletes, parents, students and coworkers.” -Mike Woolsey
Mike Woolsey
Lumen Christi High School
Impact Statement
“My most cherished memories are the relationships I have formed with athletes, parents, students and coworkers.” -Mike Woolsey
Biography
Since taking over the program in 1979 Woolsey has taken 24 teams to the state tournament. His teams won state titles in 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1990 and 1991 and have finished second four times, most recently last fall, an accomplishment which earned him state Coach of the Year honors. He has overcome adversity in his own life, finishing fourth in the state tournament as a Lumen Christi High senior in 1973 less than three months after sustaining life-threatening injuries in an automobile accident.
The NFHS named him its National Cross Country Coach of the Year in 2004, and he is a finalist for the National High School Athletic Coaches Association’s National Girls Cross Country Coach of the Year.
Since being honored in 2005 Woolsey continues to coach at Lumen Christi High School. His team won additional state titles in 2006, 2007 and 2012. He continues to lead the girls’ cross country team.
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Videos
Records
Professional Achievements
Pekin High School
“It’s Not a Sprint, It’s a Marathon” -Davis Eidahl
“It’s Not a Sprint, It’s a Marathon” -Davis Eidahl
Davis Eidahl
Pekin High School
Impact Statement
“It’s Not a Sprint, It’s a Marathon” -Davis Eidahl
Biography
A four-year letterwinner in three sports – cross country, basketball and track and field – in college, Eidahl has coached cross country and track for 41 years, all but one at Pekin High. His teams have won five state championships – three in cross country and two in track – and he has been named state and regional Coach of the Year a combined 16 times in the two sports. He was inducted into the Iowa Association of Track and Field Hall of Fame in 2001.
Also a champion race walker, he was an Olympic Trials qualifier in 1972 and has won over 300 races in his career. He is a finalist for the National High School Athletic Coaches Association’s National Boys Cross Country Coach of the Year.
Since being honored by the NHSCA not much has changed for Eidahl. He is still actively teaching and coaching at Pekin as of 2020 after 55 years. His boys’ team has won 39 conference titles in track and field and 33 in cross country. In addition, his girls’ team have won 35 conference titles.
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Articles
Videos
Records
Professional Achievements
Personal Honors
Oregon City High School
“As a coach, you can practice, plan and devise, and you can never guarantee the outcome of the game. But you can choose to be a positive influence in somebody’s life.”
“As a coach, you can practice, plan and devise, and you can never guarantee the outcome of the game. But you can choose to be a positive influence in somebody’s life.”
Brad Smith
Oregon City High School
Impact Statement
“As a coach, you can practice, plan and devise, and you can never guarantee the outcome of the game. But you can choose to be a positive influence in somebody’s life.”
Biography
Under Smith, Oregon City High has become one of the nation’s most prestigious girls basketball programs. In 26 years at the helm Smith guided Oregon City to a 602-91 record and nine Class 4A state titles between 1992 and 2003. This year’s team finished 24-6 and third in the state, Oregon City’s 18th state tournament trophy.
Eight of Smith’s teams finished the season ranked in USA Today’s top five and his 1995, 1996 and 1997 teams were national champions, with Smith named the newspaper’s Coach of the Year all three years. He was head coach of the West squad in USA Basketball’s Women’s Youth Developmental Festival in 2004.
Smith retired from coaching in 2006 after 27 years. He finished with a career record of 628-92, making him the winningest coach in Oregon.
Despite his retirement, in 2018 Smith rejoined the Oregon City girls’ basketball team as a volunteer coach.
Photos
Records
Professional Achievements
Dunbar High School
“It was a great, great 47 years for me. If I had the money, I would have paid to be the coach.”
-Robert Hughes
“It was a great, great 47 years for me. If I had the money, I would have paid to be the coach.”
-Robert Hughes
Robert Hughes
Dunbar High School
Impact Statement
“It was a great, great 47 years for me. If I had the money, I would have paid to be the coach.”
-Robert Hughes
Biography
Hughes, 76, retired this season as the nation’s all-time winningest coach with 1,333 victories and a winning percentage of .840. His 47-year coaching career saw him win five state titles overall – in 1993 and 2003 at Dunbar High and in 1963, 1965 and 1967 at Fort Worth Terrell High. He was inducted into the NFHS National High School Hall of Fame in 2003 and also has been enshrined in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Hall of Fame and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.
Hughes began his career at I.M. Terrell High School, an all-black high school in Fort Worth, Texas in 1958. He coached there until the school was closed in 1973. He then took the job at Dunbar High School where he finished his career in 2005.
He is the winningest coach in America, a record that still stands.
In 2017 Hughes was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame Museum in Springfield, Massachusetts.
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Professional Achievements
Davison High School
“We never point to it’s just about winning, It’s about testing yourself.” -Roy Hall
“We never point to it’s just about winning, It’s about testing yourself.” -Roy Hall
Roy Hall
Davison High School
Impact Statement
“We never point to it’s just about winning, It’s about testing yourself.” -Roy Hall
Biography
Hall has built his alma mater, Davison High, into not only a state, but a national power. This year the Cardinals won their fourth consecutive Division I dual-team state title, and fifth in the past six years. His last three teams have finished in W.I.N. Magazine’s top 15 nationally, and three of his wrestlers, Paul Donahoe and brothers Chase and Brent Metcalf, have been voted Asics All-American First Team members.
A two-time state champion himself, Hall was a Junior National Greco-Roman champion, seventh in the Junior World Championships, and a four-time NCAA qualifier at Michigan State University. In the past six years he has coached 13 Division I state champions and 41 place winners.
Since being honored, Hall continues to lead Davison as one of Michigan’s elite programs. In 2008 Hall announced he would be stepping down but when there was no suitable replacement, he stayed on and the rest is history.
In his 22 years as head coach the Cardinals have six state championships and five state runner up finishes under his belt. He has a career record of 539-98-1 as of the completion of the 2019 season.
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Records
Professional Achievements
St. Joseph's Academy
“Not only did I love sports, but I loved the strategy of it, not just the playing and winning.” -Brenda LaBlanc
“Not only did I love sports, but I loved the strategy of it, not just the playing and winning.” -Brenda LaBlanc
Brenda LeBlanc
St. Joseph's Academy
Impact Statement
“Not only did I love sports, but I loved the strategy of it, not just the playing and winning.” -Brenda LaBlanc
Biography
In 22 years as a head coach, the last 11 at St. Joseph’s Academy, LeBlanc has compiled a career record of 721-171 and her teams won a combined 12 state titles. St. Joseph’s Academy has won the last four Class 5A titles, something no Division I school has ever done, and also won the 1998 title and finished second in 1999.
Before coming to St. Joseph’s Academy, LeBlanc directed Episcopal School of Acadiana to seven consecutive Division V Class B titles in 11 years. The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) named her its Coach of the Year in 2004.
Since 2005 LeBlanc and her Redstickers made it to the state semifinals the following two seasons.
In 2007 LeBlanc announced her retirement after compiling a career record of 786-188.
LaBlanc was inducted into the Louisiana High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2016.
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Articles
Records
Professional Achievements
Fort Bend Elkins High School
McClanahan’s team holds the longest winning steak in Texas, and fourth nationally, with 76 straight wins.
McClanahan’s team holds the longest winning steak in Texas, and fourth nationally, with 76 straight wins.
James McClanahan
Fort Bend Elkins High School
Impact Statement
McClanahan’s team holds the longest winning steak in Texas, and fourth nationally, with 76 straight wins.
Biography
At press time McClanahan’s Elkins High squad was four victories away from a second consecutive 39-0 season record, a second consecutive Class 5A state title and a second consecutive finish in the No. 1 spot in the USA Today/National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) High School Top 25.
McClanahan and his assistant coaches were named the Speedline/NFCA High School National Coaching Staff of the Year in 2004. Should Elkins repeat, McClanahan, completing his 11th season, would be 143-10 in his last four seasons. His 2003 team was a state semifinalist.
McClanahan’s team holds the longest winning steak in Texas, and fourth nationally, with a 76 game winning streak as of 2005.
Since his honoring in 2005, McClanahan coached at Elkins until 2011 when he took over at Fort Bend Ridge Point.
In 2015, McClanahan took Ridge Point to the state championship, a first for any team sport, and won his 500th game.
Photos
Records
Professional Achievements
The Bolles School
Rogers was voted the best football coach in Florida history in an Orlando Sentinel poll.
Rogers was voted the best football coach in Florida history in an Orlando Sentinel poll.
Charles “Corky” Rogers
The Bolles School
Impact Statement
Rogers was voted the best football coach in Florida history in an Orlando Sentinel poll.
Biography
Rogers, 61, is the winningest coach in football-mad Florida. When his 2004 team won the Class 2A state title, it was his sixth state crown in 18 years at the helm – the others coming in 1990, 1993, 1995, 1998, and 2002. He also has two runner-up finishes, and his teams have made the playoffs 16 consecutive seasons.
He owns Florida records for state titles (6), playoff victories (41) and career victories (record 326-65-1). A member of the Florida Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame, Rogers is being inducted into the Florida High School Athletic Hall of Fame this year.
Since being honored in 2005, Rogers continued to excel as Bolles’ head coach.
In 2007, Rogers was selected as Florida High School Athletic Association’s All-Century Team Coaching Staff. In 2015 he was voted the best football coach in Florida history in an Orlando Sentinel poll, beating out many other legends in the sport.
Overall, Rogers led Bolles to 10 State Championships and six State Runner Up finishes. He retired from coaching in 2017. He amassed an impressive career record of 465-84-1.
Rogers passed away in February of 2020.
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Records
Professional Achievements
Hathaway Brown School
Longley’s 30 year career was highlighted by a state championship title and eight Final Four appearances.
Longley’s 30 year career was highlighted by a state championship title and eight Final Four appearances.
Amy Longley
Hathaway Brown School
Impact Statement
Longley’s 30 year career was highlighted by a state championship title and eight Final Four appearances.
Biography
A 27-year coaching veteran with a career record of 273-43-57, Longley has continued the tradition of excellence at the Hathaway Brown School. Her 2002 team was the Ohio state champion and she was voted Field Hockey Coach of the Year by the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Her 2003 and 2004 teams advanced to the state semifinals. A member of the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) Field Hockey Advisory Committee, Longley received the OHSAA’s Sportsmanship, Ethics and Integrity Award in 1996. The NFHS named her its Field Hockey Coach of the Year in 2004.
After being honored in 2005, Longley retired in 2008 after 30 years at the helm which highlighted a state title and eight Final Four appearances. She boasted a career record of 316-148-61.
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Records
Professional Achievements
La Cueva High School
McKeever led La Cueva’s Bears to multiple state championships over the course of his career.
McKeever led La Cueva’s Bears to multiple state championships over the course of his career.
Stan McKeever
La Cueva High School
Impact Statement
McKeever led La Cueva’s Bears to multiple state championships over the course of his career.
Biography
In addition to going unbeaten and winning back-to-back Class 5A state titles in 2003 and 2004, McKeever’s La Cueva team set a national high school record by winning 70 consecutive games – a streak that began in 2002 and ended this spring.
When they beat Albuquerque Highland High 15-1 in the first game of a doubleheader April 2 before a crowd of more than 1,000, they eclipsed New York (NY) Archbishop Molloy High’s 68-game winning streak, set from 1963-66.
The 2003 team earned a No. 8 final ranking from USA Today, with the 2004 team finishing No. 6. The streak was ended in a 17-8 loss to Albuquerque Rio Grande High April 4, but the Bears were still alive to win a third straight state title at press time, which they did.
McKeever and the La Cueva’s Bears continued to win two additional state championships and finished second in 2009, which was McKeever’s last season at the school.
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