Schutt Sports Regional High School Coaches of the Year

Woodlands High School (Texas) coach Weldon Willig is one of five Schutt Sports Regional High School Coach of the Year winners.
by: Steve Silverman
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West Regional
Tom Joseph
Mountain View HS (Mesa, Az.)
2003: 13-1, 5A East Valley Regional Finalist
Record at school: 27-1, 2 years
Career record: 94-40

Tom Joseph’s Mountain View High School football program has established an incredible tradition. In the 25-year history of the school, Mountain View has won eight state championships.

That success has helped Joseph get his message across to his players. “We are coaching and teaching football and we do that every day,” Joseph said. “But for me, the best thing about being in this position is having a chance to influence these young people. As a coach, that’s really what you want to do.”

Joseph believes that laying the foundation for being a good person is more important than being a good football player. “You have to take care of your responsibilities and you have to take care of your grades,” Joseph explained. “That’s first and foremost. Then you can concentrate on football.”

Mountain View lost the 5A state finals to Hamilton in a 35-28 triple overtime heartbreaker. They had beaten Peoria 35-8 in the semifinals to get to the championships. Mountain View had won the state championship in 2002 and was bidding to repeat.

“It is very difficult to repeat,” Joseph said. “But I will always admire this team for the way they prepared and the way they played. They knew their responsibilities during the offseason where a lot of preparation was done in the weightroom. They worked hard every week in the season and did not take anything for granted. I’m very proud to be associated with the young men on this team.”

Joseph is pleased to win the Schutt Sports West Region Coach of the Year award, an honor he accepted on behalf of his staff and his players. “I don’t look at this as something that I won,” Joseph said. “Although I am happy to accept it. It’s our coaching staff and our players. Their hard work was the key to our success and the key to this award.”

East Regional
Dick Beck
North Penn HS (Lansdale, Pa.)
2003: 15-0, AAAA State Champions
Career record: 25-3 (two years at North Penn)

In two years at North Penn, Dick Beck has tried to drill one belief into his team before they take the field every week. According to Beck, it’s all about outworking the competition.

“From the moment we step in the weightroom in the offseason all the way through the year, I try to let the guys know that the people that they will be going up against are going to be working hard,” Beck said. “The only way they are going to get ahead of them is to outwork them.

“I believe that’s a lesson that will hold throughout the rest of their life. They are always going to be facing competition, so they might as well understand it and find a way to over come it.”

North Penn won the AAAA state championship in Pennsylvania with an impressive 37-10 victory over Pittsburgh Central Catholic in the state finals. Beck’s team used a powerful running attack to dominate opponents all season long.

“Our guys will throw the ball,” Beck explained. “We had over 1,200 yards passing. However, we are a team that likes to take it to you and run. Throwing the ball is good; but running it is better when you have that capability. It means everyone is taking care of their assignment and you have the chance to dominate. Once you start feeding the horse, you get to keep feeding the horse. Once it gets going, it’s really good seeing it from the sidelines.”

Beck’s philosophy is more akin to the late Woody Hayes than it is to Bill Walsh. “Three yards and a cloud of dust,” Beck said. “That’s how Woody played and that’s the way I want to also. My guys did the work all year and the coaching staff taught everyone very well. As a result we were able to win games that way.

“It was a season that went very well.”

Southwest Regional
Weldon Willig
Woodlands HS (The Woodlands, Tx)
2003: 14-1, Region 2 State Runner-ups
Career record: 198-77-5 (23 years at Woodlands)

Weldon Willig is a coaching icon in the greater Houston area. He has clearly had great success at Woodlands High School, but that success goes far beyond wins and losses. Willig is more than a coach and teacher. He is a builder.

From seventh grade on, Willig has built a program in The Woodlands, Texas that sees 1,000 kids participate. He wants to see kids get a chance to put on a uniform and get on the field. As a result, by the time players get to the high school level, they have been playing in Willig’s system for several years and they play with skill and fervor.

Offensive coordinator Mark Schmid has been with Willig for the last 14 seasons. Schmid played for Woodlands in the late 1970s and his coach’s style and personality led him into the profession as well.

“I saw how he influenced me and my teammates and I knew that’s what I wanted to do,” Schmid said. “I wanted to be like him. He is a great person who is so community-minded. He could have moved on to the college level or higher many times, but he is committed to this community.”

While Woodlands lost in the Region Two finals to Yelena Park 23-7, the team has been amazingly consistent during Willig’s 23 years at the helm of the program. As a result he has been recognized as one of five national high school coaches of the year.

“Coach Willig is proud any time an honor comes the program’s way,” Schmid said. “Not because of the way it reflects on him – but because of what it says about the program. We have great kids here who work really hard and that’s the key to our success.”

Midwest Regional
Doug Ramsey
Elder HS (Cincinnati)
2003: 14-1, Division 1 State Champions
Career record: 72-15 (seven years at Elder)

If you don’t believe you can learn anything from losing, think again. They don’t do much of it at Elder High School, but Cincinnati’s powerful program experienced a little of it this year in the second game of the season.

Elder lost to Marian (Ind.) Central in the second game of the season and head coach Doug Ramsey noticed there was no panic among his players or his coaches. “Immediately after the game, I noticed there was more focus and more determination,” Ramsey said. “We got back to work and kept on putting one foot in front of the other. It worked out well.”

A bit of an understatement. After the loss to Marian, Elder ran the table, winning 14 games in a row. Elder beat Cleveland St. Edwards 31-7 to win the Division 1 state championship.

Ramsey believes winning starts with taking care of business in the classroom. “I feel like we are very lucky with this program,” Ramsey explained. “Because we have kids who really care about their family, their program and their school work. They go about things the right ways and they don’t cut corners.

“That’s the example that our coaching staff sets and that makes it easier for the kids to do the right thing. And they are not just mouthing words, either. The coaches are actually living it the way they talk it.”

Ramsey’s team had one close call during its championship run, a 24-23 postseason victory over Cole Rain High School at Nippert Stadium. Elder took a 24-17 lead over Cole Rain with seven minutes remaining, but Cole Rain scored with 1:20 left in the game. However, the extra point went wide right – and Elder advanced.

Good things happen to teams that show up with a great work ethic and exemplify team work. Ramsey believes that the roots of football will show up late in life. “Nothing points out the importance of teamwork more than football,” Ramsey said. “Our players understand that and take that lesson with them when they leave the program. They work hard and they compete. These are the best lessons that football brings and they understand it.”

Southeast Regional
Walt Frazier
Carol City HS (Miami)
2003: 14-1, 6A State champions
Career record: 194-83 (22 years at Carol City)

No, the Hall of Famer and former N.Y. Knick point guard has not resurfaced as the head coach of a legendary Miami high school football program. As a matter of fact, the coach who shares the same name as the basketball great is nothing like his namesake.

The basketball player was great on the court, but he was all about style and image during his playing days. Wide-brimmed hat and fur coats were his style as his “Clyde” personality took over off the court.

Head due south to Miami and watch one of the most disciplined coaches in the business. Frazier’s team won the state championship again this season by beating Orlando Edgewater 13-0 in the 6A finals, but he is not the least bit impressed by his players or their accomplishments. It doesn’t matter who the player is – if he doesn’t follow the rules he is subject to discipline.

“That’s the key to the program’s success,” according to Carol City athletic director Shannon Sejeck. “The man has incredible discipline and very high standards. He treats all players the same. Star players don’t have any advantage. If you miss practice or don’t keep up with your school work, coach Frazier will not put up with that kind of attitude or behavior.”

Players also have to earn their playing time since Frazier is not impressed with reputation. Star LB Willie Williams came to Carol City this year after he was granted an extra year of eligibility after missing a season because of a car accident. While Williams had starred at Pace High School and is being pursued by schools like Ohio State, Miami, Florida State and Oklahoma, he did not get to start until midway through the season. He had to earn his position through hard work in the classroom, practice and on special teams.

Frazier is not unreasonable in his approach. At the start of the season, he meets with his players and their parents and lets them know what the rules are. If they fall behind or violate team rules, they are not allowed to play.

Tough? Yes. Demanding? Undoubtedly. But a coach who gets results and builds solid citizens.

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