2008 Coach of the yearHall of Achievement

The High School Hall of Achievement is an elite group of former high school athletes who have distinguished themselves in their professional careers. The inductees serve as tremendous role models for high school athletes. Their message is to employ the values and skills learned in athletics and apply them to your professional career. We are proud of their success and are honored to claim them in our High School Hall of Fame family.

Pioneer High School

This is Bryan Westfield

“To say he went the extra mile with his students is an understatement. He was there for kids on the track as their coach, but he was so far beyond that.” -E. Claar, AD

“To say he went the extra mile with his students is an understatement. He was there for kids on the track as their coach, but he was so far beyond that.” -E. Claar, AD

  • Coached teams to 16 State Championships and 6 Runner Up finishes in Track & Field
  • Coached teams to 3 Cross Country State Championships and 6 Runner Up titles
  • 2006 Michigan Interscholastic Track Coaches Association Hall of Fame Inductee
  • 2015 All-USA Girls Track & Field Coach of the Year
  • 17x Michigan Track & Cross Country Coach of the Year
  • 2014 Michigan High School Track Coaches Association State Hall of Fame Inductee
  • Girls' Track & Field
    2008 Coach of the Year

    Bryan Westfield

    Pioneer High School

    Ann Arbor,
    Michigan

    Impact Statement

    “To say he went the extra mile with his students is an understatement. He was there for kids on the track as their coach, but he was so far beyond that.” -E. Claar, AD

    Biography

    “Bryan Westfield has had Ann Arbor Pioneer competing at the very top levels of track and field from coast-to-coast for the past two decades,” said NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro. “The NHSCA is proud to recognize Coach Westfield as the National High School Track Coach of the Year.”

    Westfield has coached Pioneer High to 16 state championships and six runner-up finishes since 1985. He also has won three Cross Country State Championships and six runnerup finishes. Westfield has also won more than a dozen state high school coach of the year awards through the duration of his career. Individually, he coached 243 All-State Track and Cross-Country runner recipients and 59 All-Americans

    Westfield was quite the athlete himself. He was a varsity letter winner in Track and Football, where he did both at Cornell University. He competed in the hurdles at the Olympic Trials and was a team member on the developmental squad for the New York Giants.

    In 2009 the running track at Pioneer High School was named in his honor for his commitment to Pioneer and the community.

    After completing his 37th season as coach, Westfield passed away in July of 2015 after a battle with esophageal cancer.


    Photos

    This is Bryan Westfield

    Community Service

    Bethel AME Church
    NAACP
    Mentoring program through the University of Michigan
    Ann Arbor Youth Track Club

    This is Bryan Westfield

    Records

  • Coached teams to 16 State Championships and 6 Runner Up finishes in Track & Field
  • Coached teams to 3 Cross Country State Championships and 6 Runner Up titles
  • Professional Achievements

  • 2006 Michigan Interscholastic Track Coaches Association Hall of Fame Inductee
  • 2015 All-USA Girls Track & Field Coach of the Year
  • 17x Michigan Track & Cross Country Coach of the Year
  • 2014 Michigan High School Track Coaches Association State Hall of Fame Inductee
  • Limon High School

    2008 Coach of the Year

    Mitchell coached multiple sports at Limon and earned the selection of Colorado’s “Coach of the Three-Quarter Century”.

    Mitchell coached multiple sports at Limon and earned the selection of Colorado’s “Coach of the Three-Quarter Century”.

  • Coached teams to 17 state team titles and five runners-up in multiple sports
  • 1986 Colorado High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame Inductee
  • 1997 NHSACA Hall of Fame Inductee
  • 2001 CHSAA Hall of Fame Inductee
  • Boys' Track & Field
    2008 Coach of the Year

    Warren Mitchell

    Limon High School

    Limon,
    Colorado

    Impact Statement

    Mitchell coached multiple sports at Limon and earned the selection of Colorado’s “Coach of the Three-Quarter Century”.

    Biography

    If coaching is the “Fountain of Youth,” then Mitchell has found it. At 85, he is completing his 55th season as the school’s track and field coach. His boys track team has won 12 Class 2A state titles, most recently back-to-back crowns in 2004 and 2005, and the Denver Rocky Mountain News named him All-Colorado Boys Coach of the Year in 2005.

    Mitchell also coached football for 37 seasons at Limon, 10 as the head coach, and posted a 399-162 record and won four state championships in 24 seasons as head basketball coach. Mitchell has won over 700 games and 27 team championships in his coaching career.

    He was inducted into the Colorado High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1986, the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1997 and the Colorado High School Activities Association Hall of Fame in 2001, and will be inducted into the National Federation of State High School Associations Hall of Fame this summer.

    He was selected Colorado’s “Coach of the Three-Quarter Century” honoree by Coach and Athletic Director magazine in 2007.

    Upon being honored, Mitchell continued to coach at Limon until his retirement in 2010. Over his career, he coached 73 Individual (57) and Relay (16) State Champions.

    Mitchell passed away November 14, 2014, but his coaching legacy lives on.

     


    Photos

    Records

  • Coached teams to 17 state team titles and five runners-up in multiple sports
  • Professional Achievements

  • 1986 Colorado High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame Inductee
  • 1997 NHSACA Hall of Fame Inductee
  • 2001 CHSAA Hall of Fame Inductee
  • Jasper High School

    2008 Coach of the Year

    Yarbrough has coached more then 30 years at Jasper and guided players and team to state championships over this tenure.

    Yarbrough has coached more then 30 years at Jasper and guided players and team to state championships over this tenure.

  • Complied over 900 career victories
  • Coached six boys' and girls' teams to the IHSAA State Finales
  • 1994 Indiana High School Tennis Coaches Hall of Fame Inductee
  • 2019 Indiana High School Tennis Coaches Association Hall of Fame
  • Girls' Tennis
    2008 Coach of the Year

    Ed Yarbrough

    Jasper High School

    Jasper,
    Indiana

    Impact Statement

    Yarbrough has coached more then 30 years at Jasper and guided players and team to state championships over this tenure.

    Biography

    Overall, Yarbrough has coached 37 years at Jasper. Last fall he finished his 34th season at the helm of the boys’ tennis team; this spring marks his 21st season leading the girls squad. He is the state’s all-time winningest coach with 813 dual-meet victories – 501 with the boys’ team and 312 with the girls.

    The Indiana High School Tennis Coaches Association (IHSTeCA) named him District 5 Girls Coach of the Year in 2002, 2003 and 2007 and bestowed him with state Coach of the Year honors in 2007 after his team finished 19-1 and placed third in the state team tournament. This year’s team is ranked No. 4 in the state. Both of his state championships came in 1999 – a girls’ doubles title in the spring and a boy’s team crown in the fall. His teams also boast five state runnerup finishes – the boys in 1985 and 1987 and the girls in 1992, 2002 and 2003.

    Inducted into the IHSTeCA Hall of Fame in 1994, Yarbrough started his Jasper coaching career as an assistant football coach in 1971 and 1972.

    Since being honored, Yarbrough continued to coach until the 2010 season. He boasts over 900 career victories.

    Yarbrough passed away on June 19, 2010. Yarbrough is remembered by many and honored with an annual award, the Ed Yarbrough Community Service Award. This award honors a coach with a longtime commitment to developing a tennis program in his/her community.


    Photos

    Records

  • Complied over 900 career victories
  • Coached six boys' and girls' teams to the IHSAA State Finales
  • Professional Achievements

  • 1994 Indiana High School Tennis Coaches Hall of Fame Inductee
  • 2019 Indiana High School Tennis Coaches Association Hall of Fame
  • Boys Latin School

    2008 Coach of the Year

    Jackson’s boys’ tennis team remained undefeated for four consecutive seasons, winning 78 of 80 matches at one stretch.

    Jackson’s boys’ tennis team remained undefeated for four consecutive seasons, winning 78 of 80 matches at one stretch.

    Boys' Tennis
    2008 Coach of the Year

    Preston Jackson Jr.

    Boys Latin School

    Baltimore,
    Maryland

    Impact Statement

    Jackson’s boys’ tennis team remained undefeated for four consecutive seasons, winning 78 of 80 matches at one stretch.

    Biography

    Jackson just completed his first year as head coach at Boys Latin. Prior to that, he coached the boys and girls teams at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute for 12 seasons, where he taught aero science and physics of flight. He led his teams to nine District 9 team championships, including seven in a row. They were undefeated for four consecutive seasons, winning 78 of 80 matches at one stretch.

    A member of the U.S. High School Tennis Coaches Association Board of Directors, Jackson was named the Mid-Atlantic High School Coach of the Year by the United States Professional Tennis Association in 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2006, and its National High School Coach of the Year in 2001. A tennis professional for 28 years and a former Air Force coach and player, Jackson serves as Tennis Director at the Potomac Woods Swim Club in Rockville, Maryland.


    Photos

    The Westminster Schools

    2008 Coach of the Year

    “He is an absolute legend in the swimming community,”
    -Franke Marsden
    Head of the Atlanta Swim Association

    “He is an absolute legend in the swimming community,”
    -Franke Marsden
    Head of the Atlanta Swim Association

  • Coached 41 Individual Georgia State Champions
  • Team won 22 State Championships
  • 2016 National Interscholastic Swim Coaches of America (NISCA) Hall of Fame Inductee
  • Westminster Hall of Fame Inductee
  • 2x NFHS Coach of the Year
  • 1997 Georgia Athletic Coaches Association Circle of Achievement
  • Girls' Swimming
    2008 Coach of the Year

    Pete Higgins

    The Westminster Schools

    Atlanta,
    Georgia

    Impact Statement

    “He is an absolute legend in the swimming community,”
    -Franke Marsden
    Head of the Atlanta Swim Association

    Biography

    Higgins has become an institution in his 48 years as coach of the boys and girls swimming teams at Westminster. His teams have won nearly 600 dual meets, and both his boys’ and girls’ teams have won 19 Class 1-4A state team titles, a total of 38 state crowns. Higgins’ teams have swept the boys’ and girls’ titles eight times, including four straight from 2003-06. His girls’ teams won six straight crowns from 2001-06 and were state runners-up the past two seasons, while his boys’ teams own a current six-year title streak.

    More than 100 of his swimmers have become high school or independent school All-Americans, and  three of his swimmers have gone on to become members of the U.S. Olympic Team.   His swimmers hold four all-class state records, three of them owned by the girls’ team.

    Higgins was named Coach of the Year four times in the past decade by the Georgia High School Swimming Coaches Association.  He was named Coach of the Year by the National Federation of High School State Associations in 1989 and was inducted into the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association Circle of Achievement in 1997.

    Since being honored in 2008, Higgins continued to dominate Georgia swimming. His boys’ teams have won 22 state championships until his retirement in 2016.

    Over his storied coaching career, he has coached 41 Georgia State Champions and 140 High School All Americans. In addition, he coached one Pan American Games Gold Medalist and four Olympic Team Members.

    Higgins passed away in 2019, leaving a long legacy in the swimming community in Georgia, and nation wide.


    Photos

    Records

  • Coached 41 Individual Georgia State Champions
  • Team won 22 State Championships
  • Professional Achievements

  • 2016 National Interscholastic Swim Coaches of America (NISCA) Hall of Fame Inductee
  • Westminster Hall of Fame Inductee
  • 2x NFHS Coach of the Year
  • 1997 Georgia Athletic Coaches Association Circle of Achievement
  • St. Xavier High School

    2008 Coach of the Year

    Marty O’Toole led St. Xavier to 20 consecutive Kentucky State Championships over his 20 year career.

    Marty O’Toole led St. Xavier to 20 consecutive Kentucky State Championships over his 20 year career.

  • Coached teams to 20 consecutive State Titles
  • First swimmer to win four state championships in the same event - the 100-yard breaststroke
  • Boys' Swimming
    2008 Coach of the Year

    Marty O’Toole

    St. Xavier High School

    Louisville,
    Kentucky

    Impact Statement

    Marty O’Toole led St. Xavier to 20 consecutive Kentucky State Championships over his 20 year career.

    Biography

    A 1957 St. Xavier graduate, O’Toole was a four-time All-American and the first swimmer to win four state championships in the same event – the 100-yard breaststroke – in Kentucky high school history. After attending Catholic University and the University of Notre Dame, O’Toole, who has taught chemistry and physics at St. Xavier, coached the Tigers for two years in the early 1970s.  He  then returned as head coach in 1989, directing St. Xavier to state titles the past 20 seasons.

    He has coached 23 swimmers to 49 individual state championships, along with 37 relay state titles. His swimmers set 16 state records and two national records, with 59 earning All-American status.

    Since being honored, O’Toole continued to lead St. Xavier until his retirement in 2009. Over his career, O’Toole led St. Xavier to 20 consecutive State Championships.

     


    Photos

    Records

  • Coached teams to 20 consecutive State Titles
  • Personal Honors

  • First swimmer to win four state championships in the same event - the 100-yard breaststroke
  • Kinnelon High School

    2008 Coach of the Year

    “Everything we do is to try to make you a more effective player and to have fun.” -Steve Racine

    “Everything we do is to try to make you a more effective player and to have fun.” -Steve Racine

  • Boasts over 550 career wins
  • 2010 Morris Catholic as the Outstanding Alumni of the Year
  • Girls' Soccer
    2008 Coach of the Year

    Steve Racine

    Kinnelon High School

    Kinnelon,
    New Jersey

    Impact Statement

    “Everything we do is to try to make you a more effective player and to have fun.” -Steve Racine

    Biography

    Racine has been a girls soccer coach for 27 years. His career started with a successful 22-year run at Denville’s Morris Catholic High. From 1981 through 2002, Racine’s teams compiled a 410-58-20 record.  He coached 17 conference championships, 14 state sectional titles, 11 state titles and six Morris County Tournament crowns. Racine left with a career record of 410-58-21.

    Also the school’s winter and spring track and field coach, Racine’s spring teams posted a 120-29 record, earning 11 conference titles and four Outdoor Track Parochial B state titles and three Indoor titles.

    In 2003 Racine took on the task of building a program at Kinnelon.  After his team won just one of its first eight games and posted a 22-25-5 record through three seasons, the Colts finished a school-record 19-4-1 in 2006 and won their first state title, giving Racine the most state titles (15) of any active coach in the nation. Last year, despite moving up to Group 2, Kinnelon finished 16-4-2 and advanced to the North 1 region quarterfinals, improving his career mark to 467-91-28. He also is an assistant track coach for the Colts.

    Since being honored, Racine continued to lead Kinnelon until 2012. He complied a 129-47-17 record, bringing his career record up to 539-138-45.

    After a three year hiatus, Racine took over as the head coach again in 2015 and still holds the position.

    In addition, Racine has his D. Litt with a concentration in History and Literature  from Drew University.


    Photos

    Records

  • Boasts over 550 career wins
  • Professional Achievements

  • 2010 Morris Catholic as the Outstanding Alumni of the Year
  • Walsh Jesuit High School

    2008 Coach of the Year

    Coached Walsh Jesuit to three state titles and five runner-up finishes over his 35 year career.

    Coached Walsh Jesuit to three state titles and five runner-up finishes over his 35 year career.

  • Coach 3 State Championships Teams and 5 State Runner-up finishes
  • Amassed 462 career wins
  • Boys' Soccer
    2008 Coach of the Year

    John Kissner

    Walsh Jesuit High School

    Cuyahoga Falls,
    Ohio

    Impact Statement

    Coached Walsh Jesuit to three state titles and five runner-up finishes over his 35 year career.

    Biography

    Kissner is the only boys’ soccer coach in Walsh Jesuit history. He started the program in 1978 and just completed his 30th season. Kissner coached the Warriors to Division 1 state titles in 1982 and 1990 and the Division 2 state crown in 2006 when his team finished 21-2. Kissner was voted Division 2 Coach of the Year by the Ohio Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association, also earning Coach of the Year honors from the Cleveland Plains Dealer.

    This year’s team finished 10-5-4 and advanced to the district final. With a career record of 415-107-76, Kissner is the state’s all-time leading winner. His eight state final appearances are the most of any Ohio coach and he is one of only three coaches to have won three state championships. A native of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, Kissner emigrated to Akron with his family at the age of 10.

    Since being honored, Kissner continued to lead Walsh until his retirement in 2012, after 35 years at the helm. He led the Warriors to three state championships and five state runner-up finishes. In addition, he led them to the state semifinals in 1983 and again in 2010. He finished with 462 career wins, 4th in the state of Ohio.

    In 2013 Walsh Jesuit named the soccer field in honor of Kissner.


    Photos

    Records

  • Coach 3 State Championships Teams and 5 State Runner-up finishes
  • Amassed 462 career wins
  • St. Joseph's Academy

    2008 Coach of the Year

    Fromuth knows about winning. Since being honored, her girls have won the last four consecutive Missouri State Championships. She has nine titles while coaching at St. Joseph’s.

    Fromuth knows about winning. Since being honored, her girls have won the last four consecutive Missouri State Championships. She has nine titles while coaching at St. Joseph’s.

  • 2006 NFHS Coach of the Year
  • Girls' Golf
    2008 Coach of the Year

    Carol Fromuth

    St. Joseph's Academy

    St. Louis,
    Missouri

    Impact Statement

    Fromuth knows about winning. Since being honored, her girls have won the last four consecutive Missouri State Championships. She has nine titles while coaching at St. Joseph’s.

    Biography

    Fromuth has had a varied coaching career. At St. Joseph’s Academy her teams had posted a record of 104-5 through last season.  They have compiled three Class 2 state titles and three runnerup finishes, to go along with a third-place finish in 2006 and a fifth-place finish this season. She was named the state’s Coach of the Year in 1998 and 2000 and the St. Louis Metro Boys Coach of the Year in 1985, while coaching at Ballwin Lafayette High.

    At Lafayette Fromuth also coached Junior and Senior Powder Puff football for four years and girls’ basketball for 22 years, 14 on the varsity. She has taught the rules of golf to high school golf coaches in Missouri for 12 years and is entering her ninth year as director of the Gateway PGA Junior Golf Association.

    Fromuth received the Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association Meritorious Service Award in 1995 and the Gateway PGA Distinguished Service Award in 2003.   She was named Coach of the Year by the National Federation of State High School Associations in 2006.

    Fromuth continues to lead St. Joseph’s golf team since being honored in 2008. Her ladies continued to be the best on the course. Her teams have won the past four consecutive Class 2 Championships from 2016-2019.

    Her 2017 State Championship team set a state record for the best 36-hole round with a score of 632.


    Photos

    Professional Achievements

  • 2006 NFHS Coach of the Year
  • Decorah High School

    2008 Coach of the Year

    “If you can gain respect, even though you’re an authority figure, they’ll follow you. It goes two ways, you need to respect (athletes’) desires and show concern.” -R. Gaard

    “If you can gain respect, even though you’re an authority figure, they’ll follow you. It goes two ways, you need to respect (athletes’) desires and show concern.” -R. Gaard

  • Coached team to 2012 3A Iowa State Title
  • 2011 Iowa Golf Coaches Assn. Coach of the Year
  • Boys' Golf
    2008 Coach of the Year

    Richard Gaard

    Decorah High School

    Decorah,
    Iowa

    Impact Statement

    “If you can gain respect, even though you’re an authority figure, they’ll follow you. It goes two ways, you need to respect (athletes’) desires and show concern.” -R. Gaard

    Biography

    Gaard has coached golf and basketball at Decorah for 36 seasons. His golf teams have won nine Northeast Iowa Conference championships, 13 district titles and nine regional crowns, and his career record is 333-123-11. A co-founder and the Northeast Iowa representative to the Iowa High School Golf Coaches Association, he was selected as its Coach of the Year in 2007, and he has been named conference Coach of the Year 10 times.

    The National Federation of State High School Associations named him Coach of the Year this year. Gaard also was the school’s head boys’ basketball coach from 1995-2000 and coached both its boys’ and girls’ teams. He coached the Class 3A Iowa Dr. Pepper All-Star Team in 1998, served five years on the Iowa Basketball Coaches Association Board of Directors and was a volunteer assistant coach for the Luther College women’s basketball team in 2004-05.

    A retired colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve, he was attached to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon, Washington D.C. In 2004, Col. Gaard was one of seven American officers to take part in the multi-national peacemaking exercise at the NATO School in Oberammergau, Germany.

    Since being honored, Gaard is still in control of the Decorah’s boys’ golf team. In 2012 his team won another 3A Iowa State Championship. In 2016 the boys’ won the coveted Washington Individual title.


    Photos

    Records

  • Coached team to 2012 3A Iowa State Title
  • Professional Achievements

  • 2011 Iowa Golf Coaches Assn. Coach of the Year
  • Willmar High School

    2008 Coach of the Year

    “You can’t worry about the course or the weather, you got kids you got to key off of. That’s the tough part: keeping that focus dialed in on what they can control.” -J. Popp

    “You can’t worry about the course or the weather, you got kids you got to key off of. That’s the tough part: keeping that focus dialed in on what they can control.” -J. Popp

  • Coached nearly 40 State Championship teams
  • 1999 NDHSCA Hall of Fame Inductee
  • 2001 NHSACA Hall of Fame Inductee
  • 2005 National High School Sports Hall of Fame
  • 2017 MNCA Hall of Fame Inductee
  • Girls' Cross Country
    2008 Coach of the Year

    Jerry Popp

    Willmar High School

    Willmar,
    Minnesota

    Impact Statement

    “You can’t worry about the course or the weather, you got kids you got to key off of. That’s the tough part: keeping that focus dialed in on what they can control.” -J. Popp

    Biography

    Popp joined Disa Daucsavage as co-coach at Willmar in 2004 coaching the Cardinals boys teams to Class AA state titles in 2005 and 2006, the school’s first state crowns in 20 years.

    It was a new chapter for Popp, who built a legend when he started the cross country program at Bowman (N.D.) High in 1975. Popp’s teams swept the Class B boys and girls state crowns six straight years (1979-84), one of four national and eight state records his teams own. Bowman ran to 13 double titles and 39 titles overall and his girls’ teams’ 25 titles are a national record. His girls track and field teams added six state crowns.

    The North Dakota High School Coaches Association (NDHSCA) named him Coach of the Year 21 times in girls’ cross country, four times in boys’ cross country and three times in girls’ track and field. Popp also started Bowman’s speech program and coached it to 20 state titles. Popp was named National Coach of the Year by the National High School Athletic Coaches Association (NHSACA) in 1993 and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) in 2002. He was inducted into the NDHSCA Hall of Fame in 1999, the NHSACA Hall of Fame in 2001 and the NFHS Hall of Fame in 2002.

    Since being honored in 2008, Popp has continued to lead Wilmar to success. His girls’ teams have placed in the top 10 in the state six times in the past ten years including 3rd place in 2014 and 2015, 2nd in 2016 and 4th in 2017. The boys’ teams have placed in the top 15 in the state four times: 13th in 2009, 15th in 2011, 6th in 2005, and 12th in 2017.


    Photos

    Records

  • Coached nearly 40 State Championship teams
  • Professional Achievements

  • 1999 NDHSCA Hall of Fame Inductee
  • 2001 NHSACA Hall of Fame Inductee
  • 2005 National High School Sports Hall of Fame
  • 2017 MNCA Hall of Fame Inductee
  • Shawnee Mission Northwest High School

    2008 Coach of the Year

    “The most important thing about this job is making each runner feel important.” -Van Rose

    “The most important thing about this job is making each runner feel important.” -Van Rose

  • Boasts 34 Cross Country State Championships
  • Multiple time Kansas Cross Country and Track and Field Coaches Association Coach of the Year
  • 2017 SMNW Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee
  • Boys' Cross Country
    2008 Coach of the Year

    Van Rose

    Shawnee Mission Northwest High School

    Shawnee,
    Kansas

    Impact Statement

    “The most important thing about this job is making each runner feel important.” -Van Rose

    Biography

    Rose has been Northwest’s only cross country coach since the school opened its doors in 1969. His boys’ teams have won 14 consecutive Class 6A state titles, the nation’s second-longest active streak and second longest all-time, and 19 state titles overall, ninth all-time.

    He guided the Cougars to their first state title in 1977 and his boys’ teams have finished in the state’s top four 28 times. His girls’ teams have been almost as successful, winning 12 state titles and recording 24 top-four finishes in the girls’ state meet’s 31-year history. Northwest has swept the boys’ and girls’ state titles in nine seasons, most recently in 2005. He has coached seven runners to a total of 11 individual state championships.

    The Kansas Cross Country and Track and Field Coaches Association has named Rose its Cross Country Coach of the Year four times, for the boys’ team in 1990, 2000 and 2006 and the girls’ team in 1991.

    Since being honored in 2008, Rose continued to lead Shawnee Mission Northwest to another four consecutive state championships which ran from 1998 until 2012. In 2017 Rose was the inaugural member of SMNW Hall of Fame.

    Rose hung up his coaching shoes in May of 2018 after 50 years. Though retired, Rose is still pounding the pavement every day.


    Photos

    Records

  • Boasts 34 Cross Country State Championships
  • Professional Achievements

  • Multiple time Kansas Cross Country and Track and Field Coaches Association Coach of the Year
  • 2017 SMNW Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee
  • John Marshall High School

    2008 Coach of the Year

    “If you’re not enjoying it, you shouldn’t do it, regardless of the occupation. But to do things like sending kids on to college is very gratifying.” -Dorothy Gaters

    “If you’re not enjoying it, you shouldn’t do it, regardless of the occupation. But to do things like sending kids on to college is very gratifying.” -Dorothy Gaters

  • Boasts over 1,100 wins currently
  • Coached 10 teams to State Championships
  • 2000 Women's Basketball Hall of Fame
  • Girls' Basketball
    2008 Coach of the Year

    Dorothy Gaters

    John Marshall High School

    Chicago,
    Illinois

    Impact Statement

    “If you’re not enjoying it, you shouldn’t do it, regardless of the occupation. But to do things like sending kids on to college is very gratifying.” -Dorothy Gaters

    Biography

    In 1974, 10 years after graduating from Marshall, Gaters was given a task nobody else wanted: starting a girls’ basketball program at the inner-city school. After 33 seasons, eight state championships and nearly two dozen state records, Gaters is a legend in her sport. As the school’s athletic director, she had to replace her school’s boys’ basketball coach just before the start of this season.

    Her new hire won a state championship and so did she, leading the Lady Commandos to a 26-7 record and the state’s first Class 3A state title, her first since 1999. Gaters, whose career record of 881-121 places her seventh on the national victory list, holds every Illinois state tournament record. Besides her eight state titles, those records include: state title games (11), state tournament appearances (23), consecutive appearances (12), state trophies (17) and state tournament victories (record 57-16).

    Although she was honored in 2008 she has not slowed down. Gaters is still at the helm of the Lady Commandos. She and her teams won two more state championships, in 2018 and 2019, bringing her up to ten state championships and three state runner-up finishes.

    Gaters obtained her 1,000 win in November 18, 2014. She has now amassed over 1,100 wins over her tenure.


    Photos

    Videos


    Records

  • Boasts over 1,100 wins currently
  • Coached 10 teams to State Championships
  • Professional Achievements

  • 2000 Women's Basketball Hall of Fame
  • Denver Christian High School

    2008 Coach of the Year

    “He has set the standard for high school basketball in the state of Colorado.” — Rudy Carey, East coach

    “He has set the standard for high school basketball in the state of Colorado.” — Rudy Carey, East coach

  • Career Record of 873-233
  • Coached 7 State Championship teams
  • 2000 Dave Sanders Colorado Coach Award honoree
  • 2005 Colorado Sports Hall of Fame Inductee
  • Boys' Basketball
    2008 Coach of the Year

    Dick Katte

    Denver Christian High School

    Denver,
    Colorado

    Impact Statement

    “He has set the standard for high school basketball in the state of Colorado.” — Rudy Carey, East coach

    Biography

    With a 77-60 victory over Lafayette Peak Academy Feb. 20, Katte, 71, Colorado’s all-time leading winner, earned his 800th career victory.  He is in his 44th season and is the 10th active coach in the nation to do so.   His career record is 803-205 and his teams have won seven state titles, most recently back-to-back Class 3A crowns in 2005 and 2006.   He also has a record 22 Denver Metro League crowns even though he hasn’t had a Division 1 player on his roster in 26 years.

    A seven-time Coach of the Year selection by the Colorado High School Coaches Association, Katte was inducted into theirHall of Fame in 1999, the Colorado High School Activities Association Hall of Fame in 2000 and the National Federation of State High School Associations Hall of Fame in 2005.

    Currently Denver Christian’s assistant principal, Katte was the school’s athletic director for 35 years and also served brief stints as head coach of its football, baseball and track and field teams.  He was the Dave Sanders Colorado Coach Award honoree in 2000. The Dave Sanders award was named in honor as the teacher and coach lost his life during the mass shooting at Columbine High School.

    Since being honored, Katte continued to lead Denver Christian for another few years until his retirement in 2012. He finished with a career record of 873-233, which is tops in Colorado.


    Photos

    Records

  • Career Record of 873-233
  • Coached 7 State Championship teams
  • Professional Achievements

  • 2000 Dave Sanders Colorado Coach Award honoree
  • 2005 Colorado Sports Hall of Fame Inductee
  • Spencerport High School

    2008 Coach of the Year

    Jacoutot coached 11 individual state champions and 7 state championships teams. He retired from high school coaching with a career record of 387-34-2.

    Jacoutot coached 11 individual state champions and 7 state championships teams. He retired from high school coaching with a career record of 387-34-2.

  • Career Record of 387-34-2
  • Coached 7 teams to New York State Championships
  • Coached 11 Individual State Champions
  • 12x Monroe County Coach of the Year
  • 2007 NWCA New York State High School Wrestling Coach of the Year
  • Wrestling
    2008 Coach of the Year

    Bill Jacoutot

    Spencerport High School

    Spencerport,
    New York

    Impact Statement

    Jacoutot coached 11 individual state champions and 7 state championships teams. He retired from high school coaching with a career record of 387-34-2.

    Biography

    In his 26th season at Spencerport, Jacoutot’s Rangers dominated New York State wrestling as few teams have in recent years. Spencerport finished the season 18-0, advanced five wrestlers to the Division 1 state tournament, and crowned two state champions. Spencerport also finished the season ranked 10th by W.I.N. magazine, the highest national ranking in the school’s history.

    Jacoutot’s career record is 335-28-1 and his teams own a 40-match winning streak dating back to January 2006. He has led Spencerport to nine unbeaten seasons and none of his last 22 teams lost more than two dual meets in a season. Six of his teams – five in this decade – finished the season No. 1 in the New York State Sportswriters Association rankings. He has coached 31 state placewinners and 11 state champions.

    Since being honored, Jacoutot continued to lead Spencerport until he stepped down in 2010. His teams won seven New York State Championships and 21 sectional titles. Individually, he coached 11 state champs and 34 state qualifiers. He finished with a career record of 387-34-2.

    Upon retiring, Jacoutot joined The College at Brockport in 2010 as an assistant coach. In 2013, he was promoted to the Associate Head Coach, a position he still holds.


    Photos

    Records

  • Career Record of 387-34-2
  • Coached 7 teams to New York State Championships
  • Coached 11 Individual State Champions
  • Professional Achievements

  • 12x Monroe County Coach of the Year
  • 2007 NWCA New York State High School Wrestling Coach of the Year
  • The Hotchkiss School

    2008 Coach of the Year

    “Success breeds success. I’ve had incredible athletes with a strong determination to succeed.” -Robin Chandler

    “Success breeds success. I’ve had incredible athletes with a strong determination to succeed.” -Robin Chandler

  • 2016 St. George's School Hall of Fame Inductee
  • 3x NFHCA Coach of the Year
  • Field Hockey
    2008 Coach of the Year

    Robin Chandler

    The Hotchkiss School

    Lakeville,
    Connecticut

    Impact Statement

    “Success breeds success. I’ve had incredible athletes with a strong determination to succeed.” -Robin Chandler

    Biography

    A 1987 Hotchkiss graduate who became the first girl to earn 12 varsity letters in three sports – field hockey, ice hockey and softball – at the school, Chandler, who still owns several of Hotchkiss’s softball records, has built its field hockey program into a Northeast powerhouse.

    Last fall the Lady Bearcats finished 19-0 and won an unprecedented sixth consecutive New England Class A title while sweeping all three postseason tournaments, the Class A meet, the Western New England Championship and the Founders League Championship, for the second straight year and the fourth time in her career. In 11 seasons her teams own a record of 159-9-11 and have won seven Class A crowns, five Western New England crowns and nine Founders League crowns.

    Chandler is the school’s co-athletic director and also serves as assistant ice hockey coach. The National Field Hockey Coaches Association voted Chandler its Mid-Atlantic Region Coach of the Year the past three seasons.


    Photos

    Professional Achievements

  • 2016 St. George's School Hall of Fame Inductee
  • 3x NFHCA Coach of the Year
  • St. Francis High School

    2008 Coach of the Year

    “If you watched her coach, you would say that she epitomizes what a high school coach should be.”
    -Craig Anderson, IHSA Executive Director

    “If you watched her coach, you would say that she epitomizes what a high school coach should be.”
    -Craig Anderson, IHSA Executive Director

  • Coached teams to 12 State Champion
  • Career record of 1,248-260-2
  • 2015 All-USA Coach of the Year by USA Today
  • 2016 NFHS Hall of Fame Inductee
  • Girls Volleyball
    2008 Coach of the Year

    Peg Kopec

    St. Francis High School

    Wheaton,
    Illinois

    Impact Statement

    “If you watched her coach, you would say that she epitomizes what a high school coach should be.”
    -Craig Anderson, IHSA Executive Director

    Biography

    Kopec, who just completed her 33rd season, is Illinois’ all-time leading winner with a career record of 961-219-2. She has led the Spartans to eight state titles, including four in a five-year span this decade (2002, 2003, 2004 and 2006), and her 2007 team posted a 38-4 record and was the Class 3A state runnerup. Kopec’s teams have finished second in the state twice, third three times and fourth once, for a total of 14 state trophies.

    Her teams have won 25 regional titles, and none of her last 22 teams have posted fewer than 32 victories, including three 40-win seasons. Over 200 of her players have earned college scholarships. A member of the Illinois Girls Coaches Association and the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Halls of Fame, Kopec was named National Co-Coach of the Year by PrepVolleyball.com in 2006.

    Since being honored, Kopec continued to lead the Spartans to success. Kopec’s teams won another four consecutive championships under her watch from 2012 through 2015. After the latest championship Kopec announced her retirement. Their 12th title set a state record.

    Over her career 91 of her student-athletes have gone on to play in college. She is the all-time winningest coach in any sport in Illinois state history with a career record of 1,248-260-2.


    Photos

    Records

  • Coached teams to 12 State Champion
  • Career record of 1,248-260-2
  • Professional Achievements

  • 2015 All-USA Coach of the Year by USA Today
  • 2016 NFHS Hall of Fame Inductee
  • William Cullen Bryant High School

    2008 Coach of the Year

    Wally Hausdorf has led the Lady Owls to over 1,000 career wins during his tenure at Bryant.

    Wally Hausdorf has led the Lady Owls to over 1,000 career wins during his tenure at Bryant.

  • Boasts 1,000 career wins
  • Softball
    2008 Coach of the Year

    Wally Hausdorf

    William Cullen Bryant High School

    Astoria,
    New York

    Impact Statement

    Wally Hausdorf has led the Lady Owls to over 1,000 career wins during his tenure at Bryant.

    Biography

    In Hausdorf’s first game at Bryant, his team lost 23-0. Today, 28 seasons later, that loss is a distant memory. When his Lady Owls shut out Bronx Leadership High earlier this season, Hausdorf became the first softball coach in New York State history to post 600 career victories.

    At press time his career record was 612-188, a .765 winning percentage, including a 9-3 mark in section play this year. His teams have qualified for the playoffs 25 times, won 12 division titles and made four Final Four appearances. A physical education teacher and the school’s Coordinator of Student Affairs, Hausdorf also coaches Bryant’s junior varsity girls’ volleyball and girls’ basketball teams.

    The Queens native played baseball and basketball at Middle Village Christ the King High and York College and served as head baseball coach at Baruch College and Queensborough Community College.   He was also the  assistant men’s basketball coach at two SUNY schools, Stony Brook and Old Westbury, prior to taking the reins at Bryant.

    Since being honored in 2007, Hausdorf has been leading the way for the Lady Owls. On April 5, 2012 Hausforf hit the momentous 1,000th career victory.


    Photos

    Records

  • Boasts 1,000 career wins
  • West Lauderdale High School

    2008 Coach of the Year

    “I fell in love with baseball and coaching. That’s all I could do, but it’s all I ever wanted to do. I am a blessed man.” -Jerry Boatner

    “I fell in love with baseball and coaching. That’s all I could do, but it’s all I ever wanted to do. I am a blessed man.” -Jerry Boatner

  • Coached teams to 14 State Championships
  • Boasts over 1,200 career wins
  • 2019 Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame Inductee
  • American Baseball Coaches Association Inductee
  • NFHS Hall of Fame Inductee
  • Baseball
    2008 Coach of the Year

    Jerry Boatner

    West Lauderdale High School

    Collinsville,
    Mississippi

    Impact Statement

    “I fell in love with baseball and coaching. That’s all I could do, but it’s all I ever wanted to do. I am a blessed man.” -Jerry Boatner

    Biography

    Now in his 35th season at West Lauderdale, Boatner’s 2006-07 team may have been his best. The Knights finished with a school-record 38-2 to earn Boatner his 11th Class 5A state title – more than any other Mississippi baseball coach – and state Coach of the Year honors.

    West Lauderdale batted .398 as a team, slugged 60 home runs, featured a pitching staff with an earned-run average of 1.45 and had nine players sign college scholarships,( four at Division 1 schools.) They were ranked No. 2 in the USA Today Super 25, earning Boatner the newspaper’s National Coach of the Year award as well.

    In 39 years as a head coach, Boatner’s teams have posted a record of 923-286. West Lauderdale also has four state runnerup finishes and 25 district titles under his direction.

    Boatner continued to lead West Lauderdale after being honored in 2007. In addition to his baseball team’s success, he also coached the girls’ slow pitch softball team to eight state titles in 19 years.

    Boatner retired from West Lauderdale following the 2018 season after 50 years with an illustrious career. Boatner is the winningest coach in the state of Mississippi, boasting 1,202 wins. Despite his retirement Boatner is still involved as a volunteer coach at West Jackson Middle School in Georgia.


    Photos

    Records

  • Coached teams to 14 State Championships
  • Boasts over 1,200 career wins
  • Professional Achievements

  • 2019 Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame Inductee
  • American Baseball Coaches Association Inductee
  • NFHS Hall of Fame Inductee
  • Booneville High School

    2008 Coach of the Year

    Over his 45 year career, Drewry lead 3 teams to State Titles and finished with a 346-158-5 record. He lead his teams both on and off the field to success.

    Over his 45 year career, Drewry lead 3 teams to State Titles and finished with a 346-158-5 record. He lead his teams both on and off the field to success.

  • Career Record of 346-158-5
  • Coached teams to 3 Mississippi State Championships
  • 2008 NFHS Hall of Fame Inductee
  • 1992 Mississippi Coaches Hall of Fame Inductee
  • Football
    2008 Coach of the Year

    James Drewry

    Booneville High School

    Booneville,
    Mississippi

    Impact Statement

    Over his 45 year career, Drewry lead 3 teams to State Titles and finished with a 346-158-5 record. He lead his teams both on and off the field to success.

    Biography

    Drewry has won three state championships in two tours of duty at Booneville during a coaching career that has spanned 43 seasons. Booneville gave Drewry his first head coaching position in 1965 and he coached the Blue Devils for 14 seasons before moving on to Kossuth High. He also coached at Brandon High and Tishomingo High before returning to Booneville in 1990, winning the first of three state championships that season. His teams added back-to-back state crowns in 1999 and 2000 and have made seven trips to the state title game.

    With a career record of 327-151-5, including a 7-5 mark and a second-round state playoff appearance this year, Drewry is Mississippi’s all-time leading winner. Elected to the Mississippi Coaches Hall of Fame in 1992, Drewry will be inducted into the National Federation of State High School Associations Hall of Fame this summer. He was selected Mississippi’s “Coach of the Three-Quarter Century” honoree by Coach and Athletic Director magazine in 2007. Drewry, who turns 77 this month, plans to return to the Blue Devils sideline next fall for a 44th season.

    And indeed Drewry did return for his 44th season after being honored in 2007. Drewry continued to coach until 2009 when he retired.

    He finished with a career record of 346-158-5 after 45 years. He was honored s the 2009 recipient of The American Football Coaches Foundation’s Power of Influence Award. This award is an honor given to a deserving high school football coach for his effect on his players, school and community.

    Drewry passed away at the age of 86 in April of 2018.


    Photos

    Records

  • Career Record of 346-158-5
  • Coached teams to 3 Mississippi State Championships
  • Professional Achievements

  • 2008 NFHS Hall of Fame Inductee
  • 1992 Mississippi Coaches Hall of Fame Inductee
  • Corona del Mar High School

    2006 Coach of the Year

    Coached teams to four CIF titles and 19 league championships over his 36 year career.

    Coached teams to four CIF titles and 19 league championships over his 36 year career.

  • Coached teams multiple state titles
  • 2018 National High School Tennis Coaches Assn. Hall of Fame Inductee
  • Boys' Tennis
    2006 Coach of the Year

    Tim Mang

    Corona del Mar High School

    Newport Beach,
    California

    Impact Statement

    Coached teams to four CIF titles and 19 league championships over his 36 year career.

    Biography

    Mang is completing his 35th season as one of California’s most distinguished high school tennis coaches. The coach of Corona del Mar’s boys’ team since 1993, Mang’s teams have a dual-meet record of 282-38, nine league titles, and 12 consecutive appearances in the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) state team tournament, winning titles in 1999, 2001 and 2003.

    His 1998 team, which shared the state title, was ranked No. 4 nationally and his 1999 team No. 2.  Seven of his players became High School All-Americans. He also coached Corona del Mar’s girls’ team from 1995-98, with his 1997 team winning the CIF state title and finishing the season ranked No. 1 nationally.

    Mang began his coaching career at Huntington Beach Edison High, going 290-90 and winning nine league titles in 17 seasons. In 1982, the National High School Athletic Coaches Association named him its Western States Coach of the Year and its National Coach of the Year First Runner-up, as well as California Coach of the Year.

    In 2018 Mang was inducted into the National High School Tennis Coaches Association Hall of Fame.


    Photos


    Community Service

    In addition to coaching, Mang created the National High School Tennis All-American Foundation (NHSTAAF). It's a non-profit corporation that he created to promote high school boys and girls tennis. In addition. the NHSTAAF also recognizes the most outstanding high school players and teams throughout the country.

    Records

  • Coached teams multiple state titles
  • Professional Achievements

  • 2018 National High School Tennis Coaches Assn. Hall of Fame Inductee