Wisconsin Football Coaches Association

James Westrich of Bonduel High School has been named Green Bay Packers High School Coach of the Week, the organization announced Wednesday.

Westrich, in his 7th season as the head coach of the Division 5 program, led the Bears to a 12-0 upset victory over No. 2-seeded Northern Elite in the first level of the WIAA playoffs. Westrich’s team will now host the 8-1 Amherst Falcons this coming Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m.

“Our kids work extremely hard all year round and are very excited for the playoffs and the challenges that come with it,” Westrich said. “I’m very proud of the way they prepare and come out each week to give their best effort.”

A Niagara, Wis., native, Westrich is a 1997 graduate of Niagara High School where he played linebacker and running back under coach Dan St. Arnauld, a 2008 Green Bay Packers Coach of the Week recipient. After high school, he attended Central Michigan University where he played middle linebacker. Upon graduating in 2003, Westrich began his coaching career as an assistant at Bonduel before being promoted to head coach in 2005. Westrich is also the physical education teacher for both the middle and high school.

Westrich and his staff oversee a program of 63 players, including a varsity roster of 35. He is assisted by Jordan Fischer, Kim Heindel, Dave LaBerge, Jeremy Lee, and Chris Rink.

Westrich, and his wife, Tonia, have one daughter, Peyton, and two sons, Marcus and Ryan.

The Packers will recognize one outstanding high school coach as their 'Coach of the Week' winner during the 2011 high school football season. Winners are awarded several items and privileges, including a $2,000 donation to the school's football program from the Green Bay Packers and the NFL, as well as recognition of the award on packers.com.

Nominations for Coach of the Week should be submitted by 9 a.m. every Monday to Tim Schroeder, youth football coordinator, 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.