Great Coaching Stories at Every Level

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While much of the media focuses on Division I-A coaches, there are many great coaching stories at every level of professional, high school, and college football. Who could have forecast the turnaround at the University of Central Florida: the Golden Knights had lost 17 straight, were 0-11 last year, lost there first two games this fall but then rebounded to finish 8-3 and host the Conference USA Championship Game.

Bill Cubit inherited a 1-10 Western Michigan team. He and his staff led the Broncos to a 7-4 season, a turnaround of 6 games. Joe Taylor and his assistants at Hampton were the only regular season Division I-AA team to finish undefeated with an 11-0 record and the MEAC Championship. Wisconsin-Whitewater, a Divison III college, completed an undefeated regular season and then defeated Central College, St. John’s, and defending champion Linfield in the playoffs before losing in the championship game. Coach Bob Berezowitz and his staff of Warhawks had UW-W finish 13-1.

Kevin Donley and his assistants at St. Francis (IN) turned the Cougars into a national power and an appearance in the NAIA title game. Under Joe Kersting and his staff, the Glendale Community College Gauchos went undefeated during the regular season and beat Grand Rapids Community College in the Valley of the Sun Bowl in a wild one, 50-48.

On the high school level, Bill Castle and the Lakeland Dreadnaughts captured the Florida State Class 5A title, beating highly ranked St. Thomas Aquinas in the championship game. Other undefeated high schools included Todd Dodge and the Southlake Carroll Dragons (TX); Tommy Knotts and Independence HS of Charlotte; Gus Malzahn and Springdale (AK); St. Xavier of Cincinnati under head coach Steve Specht; Ricky Woods and South Panola HS (MS); Bobby Bentley and Byrnes HS of Duncan, SC; The Gilman School in Baltimore and their head coach Biff Poggi; Jon Mack and St. Bonaventure HS in Ventura (CA); Lincoln-Way East in Frankfort, IL under Rob Zvonar and Morris HS of Morris, IL. and their head coach Dan Darlington.

In this issue, Schutt Sports presents their annual Coaches of the Year at all levels of college football as well as a National Prep Coach of the Year and five regional winners. Additionally, we would also like to honor the professional coaches of the year in every pro organization. They include:
NFL: Lovie Smith, Chicago Bears; after a near season-ending injury to his starting quarterback, Rex Grossman, Smith and his staff retooled the offense that led to the NFC North title.

NFL Europe: Bart Andrus, Amsterdam Admirals: Andrus and his staff helped the Admirals to their first ever NFL Europe title, beating the Berlin Thunder in World Bowl XIII.

Arena Football League: Mike Dailey and the Colorado Crush won the ArenaBowl with a thrilling 51-48 win over the Georgia Force.
Arena League 2: Danton Barto and his Memphis Xplorers captured the ArenaCup and the afl2 title.

Canadian Football League: First year coach Danny Maciocia and his assistants helped lead the Edmonton Eskimos to a Grey Cup win over the Montreal Alouettes.

Congratulations to every winning coach and their respective staffs – from high school to the professional level. We also thank you and appreciate both your time and support during this past season.
We hope you enjoy this issue of AFM.

Publisher: Travis Davis tdavis@lcclark.com Managing Editor: Rex Lardner rlardner@lcclark.com

Respectfully, Rex Lardner Managing Editor American Football Monthly rlardner@lcclark.com 561-355-5068

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