GREEN BAY PACKER COACH OF THE WEEK
WAYNE SACKETT OF WEST SALEM HIGH SCHOOL NAMED WFCA/GREEN BAY PACKERS COACH OF THE YEAR
December 6, 2007
Wayne Sackett, of West Salem High School, has been named Wisconsin Football Coaches Association/Green Bay Packers Coach of the Year, the organization announced Thursday.
Sackett received the honor following West Salem’s title run. The Panthers (13-1) defeated previously unbeaten Kettle Moraine Lutheran, 52-14, at Camp Randall in Madison to win their first WIAA Division 4 State Championship.
“I am grateful to be recognized by my peers,” said Sackett of the honor.
In the game West Salem senior quarterback Dan Schneider set championship game records with 292 passing yards and four touchdowns, both of which he had set before halftime while racking up a 38-0 lead. The Panthers set a record scoring 24 points in the second quarter and tied another with 52 total points in the game.
After a Week 2 loss, the Panthers ran the table with 12 victories by an average score of 39-13. But Sackett realizes that he has had help along the way.
“It’s truly a staff award,” said Sackett, who has compiled a 73-32 record in nine seasons as Panthers head coach. “I probably get a little more of the credit being the head coach. Everybody deserves a little piece of this from our freshman coaches that scout on Friday nights, all the way up to the varsity assistants. It’s truly an honor and truly a staff award.”
Sackett is assisted by Mike Malott, Scott Johnson, Bobby Schmitz, Bob Gorniak, Rick Martinson, Jacob Pederson, Justin Jehr, Justin Coulson, Jamie Olson and Jonathon Chisholm.
Sackett graduated from La Crosse Central in 1987 and began his coaching career in 1989 as the freshman coach at his alma mater, while also attending college. After six seasons he became a varsity assistant with the Panthers in 1995. In 1997, Sackett became a junior varsity coach at G.E.T. Following a year away from coaching, he became the head coach at West Salem in 1999.
Sackett graduated from Wisconsin-La Crosse in 1993, playing football in the 1988 season under Hall of Fame head coach Roger Harring.
Sackett, a La Crosse native, and his wife, Rachel, have three daughters, Tierra, Tianna and Shreece, and one son, Taylor.
DAVE WILLS OF SOUTHWESTERN HIGH SCHOOL NAMED GREEN BAY PACKERS COACH OF THE WEEK
November 14, 2007
Dave Wills, of Southwestern High School, has been named Green Bay Packers Coach of the Week, the organization announced Wednesday.
“This award means a lot to me and our program,” Wills said. “The kids deserve a lot of the credit. They’re the ones who have to go out there and play. As a coaching staff we just tell them what we want them to do. They have to go out and execute it. I can’t say enough about how well we’ve been playing.”
The Wildcats (9-4) defeated Hillsboro, 42-7, on Friday night at Lancaster to advance to the WIAA Division 7 state finals next Thursday at Camp Randall in Madison.
“The kids have been playing excellent,” Wills said. “The defense has been outstanding. We’ve beaten four great teams, three of them were conference champions.”
Wills has been a part of the Wildcats program for 29 years and has experienced every single playoff game in the school’s history.
“I’ve been a part of all the playoff appearances as a player, assistant coach and (head) coach since we made it to our first playoff game in 1981,” he said. “It’s great to see the football program here at Southwestern is back up to where it should be. This means a lot to the community and to the school. The committee has been excellent. It was unbelievable the number of fans we had at the game Friday night at Lancaster against Hillsboro. The school is excited. I’m happy for this program.”
The Southwestern alum, where he played defensive and offensive tackle in high school, graduated in 1983 and attended Wisconsin-Platteville. While in college, Wills became the Junior High Assistant for the middle school football program. In 1987 he became a Wildcats assistant coach for the freshman and junior varsity.
Wills, who is assisted by Craig Siegert, Eric Lyons, Chad Cleveland and Brandon Cline, was promoted to head coach in 2004.
The Wildcats will face another tough test in the finals. They play undefeated Eleva-Strum (13-0) at 10 a.m. But Wills has faith in his players.
“It’s a great group of kids,” Wills said. “I can’t say enough about how they’ve played this year, especially this postseason. But whatever happens, it’s been a great year. I’ve enjoyed this group immensely. We hope to keep it going at Camp Randall on Thursday.”
JOHN NOWAK OF NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL NAMED GREEN BAY PACKERS COACH OF THE WEEK
October 24, 2007
John Nowak, of Notre Dame High School, has been named Green Bay Packers Coach of the Week, the organization announced Wednesday.
“It’s a great honor for our program to be recognized by the Green Bay Packers and the NFL,” said Nowak, who also won the award in 1998. “I look at this as a team award. The coaching staff and all the kids truly deserve it. I’d like to thank the Green Bay Packers for the recognition they’ve given my football program at Notre Dame Academy.”
The Tritons advanced to the second round of the WIAA Division 3 playoffs yesterday with an upset victory over top-seeded West De Pere, 34-27, in which Notre Dame scored 20 unanswered points in the fourth quarter.
“The way we won the game last night, scoring 20 points in the fourth quarter, we’ve developed that never give up attitude,” Nowak said.
That never give up attitude has been tested this season since Notre Dame has been fighting an uphill battle all year. The Tritons lost the first four games of the season. With their backs against the wall, the Tritons won the next five straight games to earn the eighth and final seed in the playoffs.
“After our 0-4 start, no one gave up, the kids or us,” Nowak said. “After we dug ourselves a hole we basically had to run out the season to get into the playoffs and be at the point where we are.”
Nowak, who is assisted by Mike Rader, Eric Mahlik, Ken Flaten, Bill Harrington, Jeff Harrill, Shawn Nowak and Tony Giovanette, has been coaching football at Notre Dame since 1971. That year he was named the freshman head coach/defensive assistant and defensive coordinator for the varsity at his alma mater Green Bay Premontre (Premontre later turned into Notre Dame Academy in 1991). Nowak took a one-year hiatus in 1985. He returned to coaching in 1986, returning to Premontre as head coach, a position he’s held to this day.
Nowak played quarterback and defensive back at Premontre, graduating in 1966, under head coach and former Packer (1942-50) Ted Fritsch Sr. He attended St. Norbert, graduating in 1971, where he played safety and cornerback under head coach Howard Volstad.
Nowak and his wife LuAnn have two sons, Shawn and Christopher, and daughter, Lindsey.
CHARLES RAYKOVICH OF CHIPPEWA FALLS HIGH SCHOOL NAMED GREEN BAY PACKERS COACH OF THE WEEK
October 18, 2007
Charles Raykovich, head coach at Chippewa Falls High School, has been named Green Bay Packers Coach of the Week, the organization announced Thursday.
"This is a great honor that has been bestowed upon us," Raykovich said. "I have nothing but the highest praise for our assistant coaches here at Chippewa Falls High School, and it goes through to the middle school and the youth program. We work our kids hard, expect a lot out of them, and their parents back us. I'm extremely proud of the town of Chippewa Falls."
Tonight, Chippewa Falls hosts Eau Claire Memorial with a shot at its first outright Big Rivers Conference title since 1999. They clinched at least a share of the conference title with a hard-fought, 14-13 victory over Menomonie last week, snapping the Indians' 47-game conference winning streak.
Raykovich has headed up the Chippewa Falls program since 1987 and oversees a high school program of 132 players. He is assisted by Ed Watkins, Bart Olson, Mike Thompson, Jon Sylte, Tim Leis, Barret Brenner, Tim Pomietlo, Chad Burger, Dan Loomis, Nick Gagnon, Brian Stegner and Jim Vangorden.
Raykovich is a 1970 graduate of Bloomer (Wis.) High School and lettered four years at running back at University of Wisconsin-Superior under Monty Charles and Ed Bender. He began his coaching career in 1974 as the head coach at Crandon (Wis.) High School before moving to UW-Stout for two seasons as offensive coordinator (1983-84). Raykovich returned to Crandon for two seasons before taking over the Chippewa Falls program.
Married to Roxanne, he is the son of 1992 Wisconsin Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame inductee Joe Raykovich.
JIM MECKSTROTH OF CUBA CITY HIGH SCHOOL NAMED GREEN BAY PACKERS COACH OF THE WEEK
October 11, 2007
Jim Meckstroth, of Cuba City High School, has been named Green Bay Packers Coach of the Week, the organization announced Thursday.
“It’s a great honor,” Meckstroth said. “I’ve been coaching for 30 years and just keep plugging away. It’s very exciting. I don’t know what to say.”
The Cubans improved to 6-1, a perfect 5-0 in South Wisconsin Activities play, following the team’s 27-9 victory over second-ranked and previously unbeaten Fennimore (6-1, 4-1) last Friday.
“We’re 6-1 and we just beat a team that’s expected to go to state and has dominated our conference the last couple of years,” Meckstroth said.
The victory over the Golden Eagles puts Cuba City in control of the division race. A Cuban win in either of their last two games or a Fennimore loss in either of its two remaining games would clinch the division title for Cuba City. The Cubans could lock up the title tomorrow night when they travel to Iowa-Grant (3-4, 2-3) for a showdown with the Panthers.
“We have two more games left this season,” Meckstroth said. “We have to play solid football to keep it going. Hopefully that will happen.”
The Cubans are off to their best start since 2004 when the team won its first six games, finishing 9-2. But this season is extra special for Meckstroth because of the Cubans starting quarterback.
“It’s really important this year because I get to coach our son,” the coach said of senior Jake Meckstroth. “He’s our quarterback this year. He’s started for us for three years.”
Meckstroth also acknowledged the work put in by his assistant coaches.
“I’m grateful for my coaching staff,” said Meckstroth, who is assisted by Guy Copp, Steve Graber, Tom Wolfe, Gary Meyer, Ryan McGranahan, Kyle Kern and Jason Holzemer. “Four of my coaches have been with me for over 10 years. They make my job a lot easier.”
Meckstroth, who was born in Sandusky, Ohio, is coaching his 30th season of Cuba City football after taking the Cubans’ head coaching position in 1978. He began his coaching career after graduating in 1974 from Ohio State, where he played center for head coach Woody Hayes. Meckstroth was hired as the offensive line coach at Marysville High School in 1975. He was promoted to the school’s offensive coordinator the following year, a position he held until leaving for Cuba City.
“I know a lot of coaches move on but I’ve been happy here doing what I’m doing,” Meckstroth said. “It’s a great place. I’ve been fortunate to be doing this for 30 years. Some people ask me how much longer I’m going to go. I don’t know yet. 30 years is a long time but I’m still enjoying it.”
DAVE WINEBURNER OF CRIVITZ HIGH SCHOOL NAMED GREEN BAY PACKERS COACH OF THE WEEK
October 4, 2007
Dave Wineburner, of Crivitz High School, has been named Green Bay Packers Coach of the Week, the organization announced Thursday.
“I would not be able to accomplish any of this without the support of my parents, my wife Carrie and my daughter Emma,” Wineburner said. “They understand the long hours and commitment that must be made to be successful in this sport. I even get my daughter to break down tape with me. ‘Just win’ is her four-year-old answer to everything. Thank you for your love and understanding.”
‘Just win’ is exactly what Crivitz has done. Wineburner has the Wolverines undefeated after six games, including a perfect 4-0 mark in the Marinette-Oconto conference, following a 42-6 victory at Peshtigo last Friday.
“This award is a testament of the hard work and dedication of the players and coaches involved with the Wolverine football team,” Wineburner said. “I am truly honored to receive this recognition on behalf of them.”
Wineburner was hired as the Wolverines head coach in 2006, finishing 3-6 (1-5), though the team has turned things around this season. The Wolverines have outscored their opponents 231-34 this year, with their biggest margin of victory being their 38-0 win over Gillett on Sept. 7.
He began his coaching career in 1996 as the quarterback/running backs coach at his alma mater, Elcho White Lake. In 1999 Wineburner was hired as the quarterback and tight end coach at Wisconsin-Stout, where he also earned a BA. Wineburner went to Laona/Wabeno High School in 2002 as the team’s offensive coordinator. He took the same position with Marinette High School in 2004, where he still currently teaches technology education.
“I would like to thank the Green Bay Packers for their continued commitment to high school football in Wisconsin,” Wineburner said. “The organization has set the standard for others to follow. I would like to thank the administration and the Crivitz school district for their support of the football team. I would also like to thank our excellent football staff.”
Wineburner is assisted by Lloyd Wineburner, Mike Vesperman, Matt Bernier, Joe Corry, Andy Caufman and Pat Testin. Wineburner and his staff are invited to attend the Larry McCarren Show, which is taped live on Mondays at 6:30 p.m. on the Club Level of the Lambeau Field Atrium.
The Wolverines will try to remain unbeaten when they host the undefeated Niagara/Goodman/Pembine Predators (6-0, 4-0) tomorrow night.
RAY MLADA AND SCOTT FRITZ OF CHILTON HIGH SCHOOL NAMED GREEN BAY PACKERS COACH OF THE WEEK
September 27, 2007
Chilton High School varsity co-head coaches Ray Mlada and Scott Fritz have been named Green Bay Packers Coach of the Week, the organization announced Thursday.
The Tigers improved to a perfect 5-0 (3-0 in conference play) on the 2007 campaign with their 19-6 victory at Olympian-Packerland Large foe Sturgeon Bay last week.
“I’d like to thank the Green Bay Packers and everybody that’s involved in with this award,” Fritz said. “It’s definitely a great honor. It’s more of a reflection of Ray, I, our assistants and our players. So it’s definitely a great honor.”
Fritz, who joined the Tigers coaching staff in 1994, returned this season after taking a year off from coaching in 2006.
“While I was gone it felt like five or 10 years,” Fritz said. “Once I got back, it felt like I never left.”
Mlada is glad to have him back.
“I’d like to thank coach Scott Fritz for coming back this season to work with me,” he said. “It’s always been a great situation being with coach Fritz.”
Three years after graduating from Eau Claire, Fritz was hired as assistant varsity head coach at Chilton. In 1996 he was promoted to head coach, a position he held until his one-year hiatus. Now he joins Mlada as co-head coach.
Mlada has served on the Tigers coaching staff since 1988. He was named co-head coach in 2006 following Fritz’s departure. He started his coaching career at his alma mater Shaboygan North in 1983, two years after graduating. Mlada was named head coach of Cedar Grove the following season. He then served three seasons (1986-88) as an assistant coach with River Valley Middle School before arriving at Chilton.
“I’d like to thank the Packers organization for the commitment they make towards the high school football programs across the state,” Mlada said. “I’d like to thank Mr. Harlan, Mr. Thompson, Coach McCarthy and his staff and everyone in the public relations offices at Green Bay for selecting us for this very special award. We’re very appreciative and honored to be selected for this. We’re just happy to be a part of the Packer nation.”
The co-head coaches are assisted by Tom Mlada, Greg Sromek and athletic director Dave Sonnabend.
The Tigers will try to remain unbeaten when they host the Southern Door Eagles (2-3, 1-2) tomorrow at 7 p.m.
ANDY COLDREN OF BELOIT TURNER HIGH SCHOOL NAMED GREEN BAY PACKERS COACH OF THE WEEK
September 20, 2007
Andy Coldren, of Beloit Turner High School, has been named Green Bay Packers Coach of the Week, the organization announced Thursday.
Coldren and the Trojans snapped a 32-game losing streak with a 7-0 victory over Orfordville Parkview last week. It was Beloit Turner’s (1-3) first victory since Oct. 10, 2003, a drought of nearly four years.
“It’s a real tribute to the program to be selected as high school coach of the week,” Coldren said. “I’d like to thank the kids for working (hard) all summer.”
The win also marked the first-ever victory for Coldren, who is entering his first season as a varsity head coach with his alma mater. Coldren, who graduated from Beloit Turner in 1986, was hired to coach the Trojans after a 10-year stint (1997-’06) as junior varsity head coach at Janesville Parker High School.
Coldren, who was born in Beloit, started rebuilding the Trojans program as soon as he was hired. The team had only 19 players before he arrived. Coldren has doubled that number to 38 in his first season.
“I’d like to thank my coaching staff,” Coldren said. “They’ve done a fantastic job with the kids, keeping them motivated, and helping get the kids out this year.”
Coldren is assisted by Rob Llorca, Gino Sherrod, Eric Kosterman, Adrian Logan, Stephen Jacobson and Ken Watkins.
He started his coaching career as an assistant coach (defensive and offensive line) under DeWayne Derickson at Marion High School in 1996 after graduating from Wisconsin-Whitewater with a Master’s degree in education. He currently teaches accounting and marketing.
Throughout his coaching journey, Coldren has had his wife by his side.
“My wife Karen, a stay-at-home mom, does a tremendous job with our own kids and is very supportive of me and my staff,” Coldren said. He and Karen have three children, Carly, 7, Kalvin, 5, and Clayton, 3.
JEFF KOENIG OF STANLEY-BOYD HIGH SCHOOL NAMED GREEN BAY PACKERS COACH OF THE WEEK
September 13, 2007
Jeff Koenig, of Stanley-Boyd High School, has been named Green Bay Packers Coach of the Week, the organization announced Thursday.
“I think the award is a great statement for the kids and school and program in general,” Koenig said. “I’ve been very blessed to have some quality assistant coaches as well as quality kids come through the program. It makes my job a whole lot easier.”
The Orioles improved to 2-1 (1-0) after defeating Cloverbelt-Large conference foe Colby, 34-7, last Friday. The Orioles travel to Mosinee (3-0, 1-0) to face the Indians tomorrow night at 7 p.m.
“It really comes back to our kids,” Koenig said. “We always say we’re going to play with pride, purpose and passion. They’ve really accepted that. They want to do the best they can to represent their school and their community.”
Koenig also thanked his family for the honor.
“My wife (Erika) is very supportive and understands the hours that it takes to put in as a football coach, and not just a head coach,” said Koenig, who has three children. “Without her support and the support of my parents it wouldn’t be possible.”
Koenig is entering his fourth season as Orioles head coach after being promoted in 2004 from junior varsity head coach. Following a rough 1-8 start his first season, Koenig led Stanley-Boyd to an 8-3 finish the next season. The Orioles have a 15-7 mark over the past two years.
“It was a challenge to get to the level of play we needed to get to,” Koenig said. “We’ve improved every season. We have kids dedicated in the off-season. Families are really supportive. The coaching staff is really dedicated. I’m really blessed to be in this situation.”
Koenig’s staff consists of assistant coaches Lee LaFlamme, Jim Brinker, Joe Hebert, Vaughn Forster, Josh Reed, Jason Isenberger, Jon Laager, Cory Hinkel, Brody Mahr, Tom Berseth, Joel Erickson, Daryl Bones and Steve Skaare.
Koenig started his coaching career at Hillsboro High School as an assistant coach in 1996 after graduating from Wisconsin-Eau Claire. He became the offensive coordinator/offensive line coach at Chetek High School in 1999, a position he held until 2002 when he took over as JV coach at Stanley-Boyd.
JASON FOSTER OF NORTHLAND PINES HIGH SCHOOL NAMED GREEN BAY PACKERS COACH OF THE WEEK
September 6, 2007
Jason Foster, of Northland Pines High School, has been named Green Bay Packers Coach of the Week, the organization announced Thursday.
“I give a lot of credit to (former Eagles head coach) Ken Beigel, who I coached under for four years before I became head football coach,” Foster said. “I also learned a lot of things about what I do today from my head high school coach, Mike Dressler, so I give him a lot of credit for our success.”
The Eagles improved to 2-0 on the season following their 12-0 victory over rival Three Lakes at Eagle River last Friday, and will host Lakeland tomorrow, Sept. 7, at 7 p.m.
“We have a great coaching staff and a great group of kids this year,” Foster said. “They worked really hard in the off-season. We talked a lot about heart, discipline and commitment. The kids have really started to believe in that and turned the corner.”
Foster, who is entering his sixth season at Northland Pines, started his coaching career in 2002 as head coach for the Eagles’ freshman team while serving as an assistant coach for the varsity team. The next year he was promoted to defensive coordinator for the varsity squad under 2000 Hall of Fame inductee Biegel, a position he held for three seasons.
Foster took over as the Eagles’ varsity head coach in 2006. Northland Pines got off to a rocky start, finishing 1-8, but has come together under Foster this season.
“One of the things we pride ourselves on is not only having a football team and a football program, but also a football family,” Foster said. “We faced a lot of adversity last year and our kids have really come together. We really emphasize the football family and it’s really showing on the football field this year.”
Foster is assisted this season by Joe Schmidt, Nick Stemper, Josh Rhode, Lance Schultz, Hank McEvoy, Cory Cato and Cole Williquette.
Though born in Hartford, Foster grew up in Wausau and attended Wausau West High School. He played receiver and linebacker under Dressler, graduating in 1991. Foster graduated from Wisconsin-La Crosse in 1996 and earned a teaching certificate at St. Mary’s in Minnesota. He currently teaches students with learning disabilities.
Foster and his wife Deb have one daughter, Trinity (5). He also has a stepdaughter, Brittney (16).
KYLE KORINEK OF REEDSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL NAMED GREEN BAY PACKERS COACH OF THE WEEK
August 30, 2007
Kyle Korinek, of Reedsville High School, has been named Green Bay Packers Coach of the Week, the organization announced Thursday. Korinek is the first recipient of the award in 2007.
“I’d like to thank my parents and my family,” Korinek said. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without them. I’d also like to thank my fiancé Anna. She’s stood by me and has been absolutely wonderful.”
Korinek was an assistant coach at Reedsville in 2006 under head coach Pat Popp, coaching the linebackers. He was promoted to head coach in 2007.
In his first game in charge of the Panthers, the team pulled off a 53-0 victory over Sevastopol last Friday while racking up 442 rushing yards. The Panthers (1-0) defense held the Pioneers (0-1) to 42 total yards and minus-(-2) rushing.
“We have a great group of senior leaders this year,” he said. “They’re sick of not winning and not getting to the playoffs. They’ve made that a goal of theirs. I wouldn’t want to coach anywhere else. I truly believe that.”
Korinek, a Two Rivers native, graduated from Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 2006, playing linebacker under head coach John Miech. He also played linebacker at Two Rivers High School under head coach Larry Feest.
When he isn’t coaching his 30-member varsity squad, which includes 14 returning starters, Korinek teaches chemistry and physical science to sophomores, juniors and seniors.
Korinek is assisted this season by Ben Voeltz, Tim Shimek, Nick Oswald, Rick Rosenbaum, Todd Roehrig, John Ambrosius, Aaron Fredrick and Greg Penza.
“This is more of a coaching staff award than a head coach award,” Korinek said. “I can’t say enough about them. They’ve helped me on every step of the road. They’re a pleasure to work with.”
The Panthers, a member of the Packerland-Olympian Small Conference, will host another conference foe in the Brillion Lions (1-0) on Friday at 7 p.m.
The Packers will recognize one outstanding high school coach as their Coach of the Week winner during the high school football season. As a Coach of the Week winner, Paris and future recipients will be awarded several items and privileges, including a $1,000 donation to the school's football program from the Green Bay Packers and the NFL, as well as recognition of the award on www.nflhs.com, the NFL's high school football website.
Nominations for Coach of the Week should be submitted by 9 a.m. every Monday to Cathy A. Dworak, manager of community relations, at coachoftheweek@packers.com (e-mail) or by fax at (920) 569-7302. Please include the nominee's name, address, school, phone number, and reason he/she is deserving of the award.
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