NASHVILLE, Tenn - The Tennessee Titans announced today that Phillip Shadowens, head football coach of Blackman High School in Murfreesboro, TN, has been named as the Titans High School Football Coach of the Week for week eight. Trailing 14-9, with 1:50 remaining and needing 88 yards to win, Blackman accomplished a great scoring drive and defeated 6A number one ranked Oakland Patriots 17-14 with a 15 yard touchdown pass.
"Coach Shadowens is a quality coach and his preparation of our kids is second to known," said Blackman Principal Gail Vick. "Coach teaches the student-athletes to be great people, people of character, and how to develop a work ethic."
Through the Titans Foundation, team owner K.S. "Bud" Adams, Jr. will make a $1,000 contribution to the Blackman High School football program in Coach Shadowens'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 Shadowens will be the team's guest at the Titans vs. Houston Texans contest on December 19th when the team honors all 2010 Coach of the Week winners and announces the winner of the 2010 Coach of the Year! Coach Shadowens 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 Sam Haynie of Sullivan South. Coach Haynie led the Rebels over Science Hill, upsetting the Hilltoppers 28-21; Chris Hughes of Fairview High School, defeated rival Page 23-3, snapping a nine-game losing streak dating back to 1992.
Now in its 12th season, Mr. Adams has awarded more than $134,000 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.
