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Alcoa ended an eight-game losing streak to Maryville with the win. The two Blount County schools are two of the state's top programs; they are both annually ranked with Alcoa winning the last five Class 2A state titles and Maryville winning state titles in 2000-2002 and 2004-2007.
"In his short time here at Alcoa, Coach Rankin has brought discipline and high expectations to our football team of which our school and community has fed off of," said Alcoa Athletic Director Josh Stevens. We are very proud and fortunate to have him here not only as a coach but also as an assistant principal and vital part of our community. We will celebrate this recognition with him."
Through the Titans Foundation, team owner K.S. "Bud" Adams, Jr. will make a $1,000 contribution to the Alcoa High School football program in Coach Rankin'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 Rankin will be the team's guest at the Titans vs. St. Louis Rams contest on December 13th when the team honors all 2009 Coach of the Week winners and announces the winner of the 2009 Coach of the Year! Coach Rankin 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 was Scott Hewett of Dresden High School who has led his team to a 2-0 record in 2009 after losing 19 games in a row dating back to 2007; Andy Shattuck of Clinton High in Clinton, TN who scheduled powerhouse Dobyns-Bennett to introduce his club to "big time" football and won the game 28-20; David O'Connor of Giles County High School who led his team to a 34-7 victory over Lawrence County in the annual "Cowbell Game".
Now in its 12th season, Mr. Adams has awarded more than $124,000 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.
