Wisconsin Football Coaches Association

Wayne was born in Dubuque, Iowa on September 3, 1955, to Mervin and Helen Jentz, who have always been his biggest fans. He graduated from Platteville High School, Platteville, Wisconsin, in 1973, where he participated in cross country, basketball, track and field, and baseball. During his senior year, he was captain of the cross country team, the track team, and the baseball team. In 1973, Wayne qualified for the state track meet and played in the state baseball tournament.  After high school he attended Winona State University, where he earned his BS degree in 1978, in Physical Education. He went on to earn his Masters degree in 1989, also in Physical Education.  While at Winona State, he participated in track and field for two years. 

Wayne started his teaching and coaching career at Platteville High School in 1979. He served Platteville Public Schools for 34 years, teaching Drivers Education and Physical Education. He was an assistant football coach for all 34 years, coached basketball for 28 years; 20 years as an assistant boys coach, and 8 years as the head girls coach. He also coached track for 25 years; 16 years as the head girls track coach, and 9 years as an assistant. 

As the head girls track coach, his team won 9 conference championships and were the state runner-up in 1992. His girls basketball team won the first conference championship for PHS in the 2012-13 season. He was named “Coach of the Year” twice, in the 2010 and 2013 seasons. As an assistant football coach, he coached the following positions:  running backs, receivers, defensive ends, cornerbacks, and safeties. He was the defensive coordinator from 2002 to 2012. During his coaching career, Platteville High School had 259 wins and 113 losses, including 16 conference championships, and were in the playoffs 25 times. They made it to the state finals twice, winning it all in 1983, and were the runner-ups in 2013. 

Wayne was named District XIV Assistant Coach of the Year in 2006. He also received the 25 and 30 year WFCA service awards. 

“I would like to thank the many great athletes who made my years of coaching so enjoyable and rewarding and I am very thankful for their effort and commitment to being the best they could be. Thank you to my fellow coaches who share this honor with me, especially Mark Berg, Dennis Kueter, and Scott Statz. A special thank you to my wife, Chris, and our children, Danna, Brett, and Jessica for their support and encouragement over the years.”