2022 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.

Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School

2022 Coach of the Year

Fitz-Gerald has created a national powerhouse year in and year out at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

Fitz-Gerald has created a national powerhouse year in and year out at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

  • Coached teams to 5 National Titles and 6 State Titles
  • Baseball
    2022 Coach of the Year

    Todd Fitz-Gerald

    Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School

    Parkland,
    Florida

    Impact Statement

    Fitz-Gerald has created a national powerhouse year in and year out at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

    Biography

    Fitz-Gerald led Stoneman Douglas to its second straight Florida 9A state championship during the 2022 season. The team finished the season on a 22-game win streak and is ranked No. 2 in the MaxPreps national Top 25 baseball rankings. Over the last two seasons, Stoneman Douglas owns a 58-4 record.

    Stoneman Douglas’ 30-2 record set a school record for wins in a season. Fitz-Gerald has now led the Eagles to three state titles in the last six years.

    Of the program’s ten seniors, nine players are expected to be playing college baseball next year.
    Fitz-Gerald has won the Florida Coach of the Year Award in 2016 and 2021.

    Additionally, Fitz-Gerald’s two sons are now in the pros. Hunter plays for the Everett AquaSox and Devin was drafted in the 5th round by the Texas Rangers. In addition, he has produced another 38 drafted players.

    Since being honored, Fitz-Gerald and team continue to win. In 2024, they suffered their first defeat in two years.


    Photos

    Records

  • Coached teams to 5 National Titles and 6 State Titles
  • Darien High School

    2022 Coach of the Year

    “To be able to be around this long and hit that milestone, it comes down to this. I have always loved coaching.” -Mo Minicus

    “To be able to be around this long and hit that milestone, it comes down to this. I have always loved coaching.” -Mo Minicus

  • Holds 400 career victories
  • Coached 12 FCIAC Championships
  • Coached 8 CIAC Championships
  • 2014 CT High School Hall of Fame Inductee
  • 2010 NFHCA National Coach of the Year
  • Field Hockey
    2022 Coach of the Year

    Mo Minicus

    Darien High School

    Darien,
    Connecticut

    Impact Statement

    “To be able to be around this long and hit that milestone, it comes down to this. I have always loved coaching.” -Mo Minicus

    Biography

    Last September, the longtime Darien head coach recorded her 400th career win.

    “It’s quite a number,” Minicus told CTinsider.com after the historic victory. “It’s not one I sought out to achieve, but it’s here now and it means I’ve been coaching for a long time.

    Minicus, who’s led the school to eight Connecticut state championships, guided this year’s team to the Class L state semifinals. Since taking-over as the head coach at Darien in 2000, she’s also led the school to nine FCIAC league titles.

    In 2011, Minicus was named the National Field Hockey Coach of the Year at the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Convention.

    Records

  • Holds 400 career victories
  • Coached 12 FCIAC Championships
  • Coached 8 CIAC Championships
  • Professional Achievements

  • 2014 CT High School Hall of Fame Inductee
  • 2010 NFHCA National Coach of the Year
  • Westlake High School

    2022 Coach of the Year

    “You know the quote ‘Ability takes you to the top, but character keeps you there’? Coach Dodge perfectly embodies that.” -Sam Ehlinger, former QB

    “You know the quote ‘Ability takes you to the top, but character keeps you there’? Coach Dodge perfectly embodies that.” -Sam Ehlinger, former QB

  • Coached 7 State Championship teams
  • Football
    2022 Coach of the Year

    Todd Dodge

    Westlake High School

    Austin,
    Texas

    Impact Statement

    “You know the quote ‘Ability takes you to the top, but character keeps you there’? Coach Dodge perfectly embodies that.” -Sam Ehlinger, former QB

    Biography

    The award is presented jointly with High School Football America (“HSFA”).

    Coach Dodge, who announced before the season that this year would be his last, closed-out an incredible coaching career in December by leading Westlake to its third straight Texas high school football championship. The title was the seventh overall for Dodge, who also won four at Southlake Carroll.

    Westlake ended 2021 ranked No. 2 in the High School Football America 100 national rankings, powered by NFL Play Football. It was the second straight year that the Chaparrals finished No. 2 in the HSFA national rankings.

    Dodge won 233 games in 23 years as a high school football coach. He goes into retirement on a 40-game win streak, which is the third longest active streak in America by a public school. He also held a 71-8 record in playoffs.

    “There’s no doubt that high school football is losing an offensive innovator and trailblazer,” said Jeff Fisher, co-founder of High School Football America. “Coach Dodge’s success goes beyond the playing field. He leaves the coaching profession on top of his game and we’re proud to honor him with our Coach of the Year Award.”

    During his high school career at Port Arthur High School, Dodge was a record-setting quarterback. He graduated with the Texas state record for career passing completions (381) and the single-season record for completions (221). After his senior season in 1980, Dodge was named a Parade Magazine All-American.

    Dodge went on to play his college football at the University of Texas.

    Since being honored, Dodge came out of retirement in January of 2024 and is coaching at Lovejoy High School in Lucas, Texas.


    Photos

    Records

  • Coached 7 State Championship teams
  • Boise High School

    Olswanger made an immediate impact on the Braves team.

    Olswanger made an immediate impact on the Braves team.

  • 2020 USTFCCCA Coach of the Year
  • Girls' Track & Field
    2022 Coach of the Year

    Aaron Olswanger

    Boise High School

    Boise,
    Idaho

    Impact Statement

    Olswanger made an immediate impact on the Braves team.

    Biography

    Olswanger’s girls made history in the fall by winning its fourth straight Idaho 5A cross country team championship. The four-peat equaled Meridian’s run of four straight titles from 1999 through 2002.

    Boise’s 27 points easily beat second place Rocky Mountain by 86 points. Six of Boise’s finished in the meet’s Top 12 with sophomore’s Allie Bruce and Sammy Smith finishes 1-2.

    In 2020, Olswanger was named the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association’s National Coach of the Year.


    Photos

    Professional Achievements

  • 2020 USTFCCCA Coach of the Year
  • Pioneer High School

    2022 Coach of the Year

    Kerska has made Pioneer into a national powerhouse in the pool.

    Kerska has made Pioneer into a national powerhouse in the pool.

  • 2021 NFHS Coach of the Year
  • 2021 MHSAA Swimming Coach of the Year
  • Boys' Swimming
    2022 Coach of the Year

    Stefanie Kerska

    Pioneer High School

    Pioneer,
    Michigan

    Impact Statement

    Kerska has made Pioneer into a national powerhouse in the pool.

    Biography

    For the second year in a row, Coach Kerska led the Pioneer boys’ and girls’ swimming and diving
    programs to Lower Peninsula Division I state championships. The Pioneers racked-up 365 points, which was 98-point more than second-place Northville.

    Kerska’s swimmer won four individual gold medals with three silver medals. Two relay teams also captured gold.

    As a program, the team set varsity records in five events — 50 free, 100 free, 100 back, 500 free and the 400 freestyle relay. In the girls’ state championship meet, Kerska’s swimmer grabbed five gold medals.

    Kerska was named the National Federation of High School Association’s National Swim Coach for the 2020-21sports year. The Michigan High School Athletic Association named Kerska as its Coach of the Year in 2021.

    Kerska as a swimmer was a two time state champion in the 100 yard backstroke. At the University of Michigan, she was a 7 time Big 10 Conference Champ and a 4x NCAA All-American.


    Photos

    Professional Achievements

  • 2021 NFHS Coach of the Year
  • 2021 MHSAA Swimming Coach of the Year
  • Hawken School

    2022 Coach of the Year

    “To work hard, and have fun! It’s a tough sport and you need to find the joy in the hard work, day after day.” -Adam Katz

    “To work hard, and have fun! It’s a tough sport and you need to find the joy in the hard work, day after day.” -Adam Katz

    Girls' Swimming
    2022 Coach of the Year

    Adam Katz

    Hawken School

    Chesterland,
    Ohio

    Impact Statement

    “To work hard, and have fun! It’s a tough sport and you need to find the joy in the hard work, day after day.” -Adam Katz

    Biography

    In February, Katz led the Hawken’s girls’ swimming and diving team to its 24th Ohio Division II state championship. The Hawks won four individual event titles on the way to scoring 269.5 at the championship meet in Canton, Ohio.

    Katz swam under legendary Hawken head coach Jerry Holtrey, who led the program from 1969 through 2014. Katz won a state gold medal while swimming for Coach Holtrey in the early 90’s.
    Hawken currently owns the third longest active championship streak. Carmel (Indiana) girls’ program has won 35 straight state championships.

    Katz also led the boys’ program to a third place finish at the state championship meet.


    Photos

    Carmel High School

    2022 Coach of the Year

    Over the 6 years at Carmel, Hanan has built them into a powerhouse.

    Over the 6 years at Carmel, Hanan has built them into a powerhouse.

  • Coached 5 Singles and 5 Doubles State Champions
  • Coached 9 State Championship Teams
  • Girls' Tennis
    2022 Coach of the Year

    Bryan Hanan

    Carmel High School

    Carmel,
    Indiana

    Impact Statement

    Over the 6 years at Carmel, Hanan has built them into a powerhouse.

    Biography

    Hanan led Carmel to its second straight state team title in his fourth season as the team’s head coach. The Greyhounds beat Fishers 5-0 to capture the title. It was the school’s 12th overall state title. The championship win capped a 19-1 season for Carmel.

    “Every position was really going after it in the state finals,” Hanan told the Hamilton County Reporter after the win. “There was no let-up in the finals match. We played about as well as we can play. We were focused from the warm-up on.

    Hanan has also led the boys’ program to four straight state championships during the Fall 2021 season.

    After being honored, Hanan stepped down for the dream of reaching his personal goals by teaching in a high school. Hanan now teaches and helps the tennis team at Franklin Central High School.


    Photos

    Records

  • Coached 5 Singles and 5 Doubles State Champions
  • Coached 9 State Championship Teams
  • Lincoln High School

    2022 Coach of the Year

    “Winning as much as we have been is a blessing and a lot of fun, but it would mean nothing if we didn’t win with integrity on the court and treat our opponents with respect.” -Tom Krueger

    “Winning as much as we have been is a blessing and a lot of fun, but it would mean nothing if we didn’t win with integrity on the court and treat our opponents with respect.” -Tom Krueger

    Boys' Tennis
    2022 Coach of the Year

    Tom Krueger

    Lincoln High School

    Sioux Falls,
    South Dakota

    Impact Statement

    “Winning as much as we have been is a blessing and a lot of fun, but it would mean nothing if we didn’t win with integrity on the court and treat our opponents with respect.” -Tom Krueger

    Biography

    This past season, Krueger led Lincoln to a state-record eighth straight boys’ tennis team championship.

    The Patriots took home three singles flight championships and the Flight 1 doubles title to beat rival Washington by 17.5 points for the overall team championship.

    Krueger, who has led the boys’ program since 2007 and the girls’ team since 1995, was inducted into the South Dakota Tennis Hall of Fame in 2018.


    Photos

    North Little Rock High School

    2022 Coach of the Year

    “The way he interacts with his players daily and always made sure they had everything they needed to be successful. … he is the reason for all the success they had.” – Daryl Fimple, Girls Head Coach

    “The way he interacts with his players daily and always made sure they had everything they needed to be successful. … he is the reason for all the success they had.” – Daryl Fimple, Girls Head Coach

    Boys' Basketball
    2022 Coach of the Year

    Johnny Rice

    North Little Rock High School

    North Little Rock,
    Arkansas

    Impact Statement

    “The way he interacts with his players daily and always made sure they had everything they needed to be successful. … he is the reason for all the success they had.” – Daryl Fimple, Girls Head Coach

    Biography

    Rice led the Charging Wildcats to the Arkansas Class 6A championship in March. It was the sixth time in ten years that Rice led the program to a state title. The team’s 27-3 record landed the program at No. 5 in the final MaxPreps national high school basketball rankings.

    After the season, Rice decided to retire with a lifetime record of 242-50, including a 120-20 mark in league play. During his three decade at the helm of the program, Rice had 41 players receive college scholarships.


    Photos

    James Hillhouse High School

    2022 Coach of the Year

    Moore, who coaches with her husband, Gary Sr., led the boys’ program to its third Open state
    championship.

    Moore, who coaches with her husband, Gary Sr., led the boys’ program to its third Open state
    championship.

    Boys' Track & Field
    2022 Coach of the Year

    Michele Moore

    James Hillhouse High School

    New Haven,
    Connecticut

    Impact Statement

    Moore, who coaches with her husband, Gary Sr., led the boys’ program to its third Open state
    championship.

    Biography

    Moore, who coaches with her husband, Gary Sr., led the boys’ program to its third Open state
    championship. Between Michele and Gary, who coaches the girls’ team, they’ve won 44 state titles.

    In addition to the Open title, Moore also led the team to the Southern Connecticut Conference
    championship during the 2022 season.

    During the 2021-22 indoor season, Hillhouse finished second in the state.


    Photos

    Centennial High School

    2022 Coach of the Year

    Session led Centennial to its 10th straight state title at the 2022 Nevada Class 5A Track and Field Championships.

    Session led Centennial to its 10th straight state title at the 2022 Nevada Class 5A Track and Field Championships.

  • 4x U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association’s Nevada Coach of the Year
  • Girls' Track & Field
    2022 Coach of the Year

    Roy Session

    Centennial High School

    Las Vegas,
    Nevada

    Impact Statement

    Session led Centennial to its 10th straight state title at the 2022 Nevada Class 5A Track and Field Championships.

    Biography

    This spring, Session led Centennial to its 10th straight state title at the 2022 Nevada Class 5A Track and Field Championships. The Bulldogs amassed 142.5 points, which easily outdistanced second place Faith Lutheran by 67.5 points.

    One of Session athletes, Zoey Bonds, won four individual gold medals.

    In 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2018, Session was named the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association’s Nevada Coach of the Year.


    Photos

    Professional Achievements

  • 4x U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association’s Nevada Coach of the Year
  • Mountain Brook High School

    2022 Coach of the Year

    Lockett led Mountain Brook to multiple state championships.

    Lockett led Mountain Brook to multiple state championships.

  • Coached 3 State Championships
  • 2018 ALL-USA Boys Golf Coach of the Year
  • Boys' Golf
    2022 Coach of the Year

    Alex Lockett

    Mountain Brook High School

    Mountain Brook,
    Alabama

    Impact Statement

    Lockett led Mountain Brook to multiple state championships.

    Biography

    This past season, Lockett led Mountain Brooks to its fifth straight state championship. The team won the title by 13-strokes during the two day championship. Coach Lockett had four golfers place in the Top 10. Tom Fischer won co-champ after shooting a 1-under 143 for the tournament.

    In 2018, after the school’s second straight 7A title, Lockett was named All-USA Coach of the Year by USA TODAY.


    Photos

    Records

  • Coached 3 State Championships
  • Professional Achievements

  • 2018 ALL-USA Boys Golf Coach of the Year
  • Ironwood Ridge High School

    2022 Coach of the Year

    Coach Kautz has led Ironwood Ridge to three straight Arizona Division II state championships.
    Ironwood Ridge won the tournament by 15 strokes after shooting 573 as a team.

    Coach Kautz has led Ironwood Ridge to three straight Arizona Division II state championships.
    Ironwood Ridge won the tournament by 15 strokes after shooting 573 as a team.

  • Coached 3 State Championship teams
  • Girls' Golf
    2022 Coach of the Year

    Doug Kautz

    Ironwood Ridge High School

    Oro Valley,
    Arizona

    Impact Statement

    Coach Kautz has led Ironwood Ridge to three straight Arizona Division II state championships.
    Ironwood Ridge won the tournament by 15 strokes after shooting 573 as a team.

    Biography

    Coach Kautz has led Ironwood Ridge to three straight Arizona Division II state championships.
    Ironwood Ridge won the tournament by 15 strokes after shooting 573 as a team.

    In the Summer of 2021, Ironwood Ridge competed in the High School Golf National Invitational, which features state champions from around the nation. The Nighthawks finished 6th in the tournament in North Carolina.

    Kautz, who has spent over 30 years as a teacher, loves the profession of coaching. He was honored as the National Federation of High Schools’ 2019-20 Arizona Golf Coach of the Year.

    In addition, Kautz is the 7th grade girls basketball coach at Coronado.


    Photos

    Records

  • Coached 3 State Championship teams
  • South Plainfield High School

    2022 Coach of the Year

    ““You never think about how many games you’ve won. It just comes up on you just like the state record came up.” -Donald Panzarella

    ““You never think about how many games you’ve won. It just comes up on you just like the state record came up.” -Donald Panzarella

  • Coached 4 Group State Championships
  • Won over 800 games in his career
  • Softball
    2022 Coach of the Year

    Donald Panzarella

    South Plainfield High School

    South Plainfield,
    New Jersey

    Impact Statement

    ““You never think about how many games you’ve won. It just comes up on you just like the state record came up.” -Donald Panzarella

    Biography

    New Jersey’s all-time winningest softball coach reached another milestone in 2022 by winning his 800th career game. In early May, Panzarella achieved the magical number with a 14-12 win over Woodbridge.

    Coach Panzarella told TapInto.net, “I don’t really look at how many games I’ve won or how many games we played. I’ve been doing it for a long time. I love doing it. I had the opportunity to have my son with me when I set the (most wins all-time) record and again with 800. So, I’ve been lucky to have a family member with me.

    It’s been a great ride. I’ve had great kids here. I’ve had the opportunity to do what I really love to do. It’s outstanding thinking about how many games we’ve won, but I don’t do it for that. I just really love it.”

    This season’s 19-7 record brings Panzarella’s all-time record to 804-227. His teams have won  four group state championships and eight sectional titles.


    Photos

    Records

  • Coached 4 Group State Championships
  • Won over 800 games in his career
  • Skyline High School

    2022 Coach of the Year

    Castillo has led Skyline to three state championships over the past six years.

    Castillo has led Skyline to three state championships over the past six years.

    Girls' Soccer
    2022 Coach of the Year

    Yamil Castillo

    Skyline High School

    Salt Lake City,
    Utah

    Impact Statement

    Castillo has led Skyline to three state championships over the past six years.

    Biography

    In the fall, Castillo led Skyline to its best season ever with a perfect 20-0 record. The Eagles won the Utah 5A state championship, which landed the Eagles the No. 1 spot in the United Soccer Coaches national rankings. The program was ranked No. 18 nationally by MaxPreps.

    The state championship was the third overall for Castillo, who led Skyline to titles in 2015 and 2019.

    The program’s first-ever undefeated season also led to Castillo being named the United Soccer Coaches Small Public School Coach of the Year.


    Photos

    Harrison High School

    2022 Coach of the Year

    Gross has led Harrison to a state championship and one of the most dominate soccer team in Georgia and around the country.

    Gross has led Harrison to a state championship and one of the most dominate soccer team in Georgia and around the country.

    Boys' Soccer
    2022 Coach of the Year

    Jonathan Gross

    Harrison High School

    Kennesaw,
    Georgia

    Impact Statement

    Gross has led Harrison to a state championship and one of the most dominate soccer team in Georgia and around the country.

    Biography

    During the spring season, Gross led Harrison to the Georgia Class 7A state championship. The Hoyas were a perfect 23-0 after beating Pebblebrook 2-1 in the state championship match at Mercer University.

    The state title was the second for the longtime coach, who had previously led the program to the state championship in 2007. The 2022 state championship resulted in Harrison being ranked No. 2 in the MaxPreps’ Spring Soccer national rankings.

    Gross also serves as the head coach of the girls’ soccer program since 2019.


    Photos

    DeSoto High School

    2022 Coach of the Year

    “The most rewarding thing is watching kids grow and develop to be great young women.” -Andrea Robinson

    “The most rewarding thing is watching kids grow and develop to be great young women.” -Andrea Robinson

  • Coached 6 State Championship teams
  • Girls' Basketball
    2022 Coach of the Year

    Andrea Robinson

    DeSoto High School

    DeSoto,
    Texas

    Impact Statement

    “The most rewarding thing is watching kids grow and develop to be great young women.” -Andrea Robinson

    Biography

    Robinson led DeSoto to its second straight Texas Class 6A state championship in March. The Eagles’ 35-2 record led it to being ranked No. 2 in national by MaxPreps.

    In addition to the state title, Robinson, who has spent six seasons as DeSoto’s head coach, won her 500th career game in November 2021.

    Coach Robinson owns six overall state titles. She won two at Fort Worth High School and two at
    Dunbar High School.

    Outside of DeSoto, she was a court coach for the 2019 USA Basketball Women’s U16 National Team Trials.


    Photos

    Records

  • Coached 6 State Championship teams
  • Mount Carmel High School

    2022 Coach of the Year

    “It’s about finding the right people and designing your program so these kids love the sport but still get the training they need.” -Alex Tsirtsis

    “It’s about finding the right people and designing your program so these kids love the sport but still get the training they need.” -Alex Tsirtsis

    Wrestling
    2022 Coach of the Year

    Alex Tsirtsis

    Mount Carmel High School

    Chicago,
    Illinois

    Impact Statement

    “It’s about finding the right people and designing your program so these kids love the sport but still get the training they need.” -Alex Tsirtsis

    Biography

    Tsirtsis took over the program during the 2016-17 school year. Since then, he’s led the Caravan to victory. This past season, Tsirtsis has led the Caravan at Mount Carmel to another State Championship.

    Tsirtsis himself was a star on the mat. He was a four time Indiana state champion with a final record of 236-0. He went on to attend the University of Iowa. As a Hawkeye, he was an All American in 2006.

    Since being honored, Tsirtsis led the Caravan to the second 3A Team State Championship  within the past three seasons. They knocked off Yorkville 59-6 in the finals.


    Photos

    Marymount

    2022 Coach of the Year

    “A hard practice makes an easy game.“
    — Cari Klein

    “A hard practice makes an easy game.“
    — Cari Klein

  • Coaches 8 State Championship teams
  • Girls Volleyball
    2022 Coach of the Year

    Cari Klein

    Marymount

    Los Angeles,
    California

    Impact Statement

    “A hard practice makes an easy game.“
    — Cari Klein

    Biography

    In an illustrious year, the 2021 season may be the best for Klein, who led the all-girls school to a California Open Division championship and a MaxPreps national championship. Her team finished a perfect 35-0, losing only eight sets in the process. Klein’s squad was so dominant that VolleyballMag.com named the school its Girls High School Team of the Year.

    Since taking-over at Marymount in 1998, Klein has led the school to eight state titles and 10 sectional championships. She owns over 600 career victories.

    PrepVolleyball.com named her its National Coach of the Year after the 2021 season.


    Photos

    Records

  • Coaches 8 State Championship teams
  • Newbury Park High School

    2022 Coach of the Year

    “You always have to reinvent and try new things.”
    -Sean Brosnan on his coaching style

    “You always have to reinvent and try new things.”
    -Sean Brosnan on his coaching style

  • Coached three State Championship Teams
  • 2019 National USTFCCCA Cross Country Coach of The Year
  • Boys' Cross Country
    2022 Coach of the Year

    Sean Brosnan

    Newbury Park High School

    Newbury Park ,
    California

    Impact Statement

    “You always have to reinvent and try new things.”
    -Sean Brosnan on his coaching style

    Biography

    In the past six years, Coach Bronsan has made Newbury Park into a national powerhouse. Bronsan began as a volunteer and slowly morphed into his program. Prior to his joining the team, Newbury Park had not qualified for the state meet in over 25 years.

    The Panthers have now claimed two boys’ championships, one girls’, and the coveted Nike Cross Nationals title (boys’) over the past four seasons.

    In September, his top four runners finished in the top four at the Woodbridge Cross Country Classic. In the process, they set a national record.

    In November, his boys’ teams accomplished a feat never done before. They secured a perfect score at the Southern Section CIF finals. That same day, the girls’ team also claimed the title.

    In 2019, Bronson was named the National USTFCCCA Cross Country Coach of The Year.


    Photos

    Records

  • Coached three State Championship Teams
  • Professional Achievements

  • 2019 National USTFCCCA Cross Country Coach of The Year