NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Titans announced today that Ron Aydelott, head football coach of Riverdale High School in Murfreesboro, Tenn. has been named as the Titans High School Football Coach of the Week for Week One. Riverdale traveled to Louisville to face Kentucky's Class 6A second-ranked St. Xavier and claimed a 23-9 victory with an outstanding defensive effort. Riverdale held St. Xavier's high-powered offense in check after the Kentucky school scored 70 points a week earlier.
"Having to step out your comfort zone and traveling three-and-a-half hours to play in a venue like Papa John Stadium against a power house in another state, Coach Aydelott and his staff obviously did an outstanding job handling the intricacies of the trip," said Riverdale's Athletic Director Barry Messer. "Managing 115 players at home is tough enough but having to go that far, to do it, is exceptional."
Through the Titans Foundation, team owner K.S. "Bud" Adams, Jr. will make a $1,000 contribution to the Riverdale High School football program in Coach Aydelott's honor.
"High school football enjoys a great tradition in Tennessee," said Adams. "That tradition is based not only on the outstanding quality of play but on the devotion of their coaches who continue to develop high school football players into young men of strong character. I'm very pleased to underwrite this program that recognizes the efforts of so many talented high school coaches across the state!"
Coach Aydelott will be the team's guest at the Titans vs. New Orleans Saints contest on December 11th when the team honors all 2011 Coach of the Week winners and announces the winner of the 2011 Coach of the Year! Coach Aydelott is now eligible for the Tennessee Titans Coach of the Year award and Adams will make an additional $2,000 grant to the Titans Coach of the Year winner on that date.
Also receiving strong consideration in this week's poll, with outstanding performances, was Shawn Jackson of Obion Central whose team defeated Ripley High School 38 – 0. Revenging a first round defeat of last season's playoffs; Maryville High School's George Quarles, in which the Rebels snapped Alcoa's 44 game winning streak 26-19; Jason Smith of Stratford High School, defeating district rival Whites Creek, 26-8, beginning the season 2-0 for the first time in five years.
Now in its 12th season, Mr. Adams has awarded more than $138,000 from the Titans Foundation to football programs across the state in honor of the Coach of the Week winners.
"High school football coaches can play a role in the lives of their players that will have lasting results," said NFL director of football operations Gene Washington. "A competitive spirit, good sportsmanship and character development are some of the issues confronted on a daily basis by football coaches. We are thankful for the many coaches around the country who assume such a demanding role."
The criterion for selection includes the coach's impact on his team, school and community. A statewide media panel votes each week to determine the weekly winner. All high school football coaches in Tennessee, regardless of their school's size, league, or division, are eligible to be selected each week. The program is designed to recognize high school coaches who transform, through their hard work and dedication, student-athletes into the best possible football players and citizens in their community.
