NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Titans announced today that Jim Wilson, head football coach of East Literature High School in Nashville, Tenn. has been named as the Titans High School Football Coach of the Week for week three.
Led by the first year coach, East Literature improves to a record of 3-0 by defeating Hillwood High School 35-7. Only in their third year of football, East Literature defeated former coach Bubba Spears, who served as head coach for the team's first two seasons.
"Coach Wilson has been a great addition to our school. He is a veteran coach and very upstanding man who demands excellence from his athletes not only on the field but also the classroom," said East Literature Principal Steve Ball. "Coach Wilson is very positive and enthusiastic with the kids, which really helps the student-athletes believe in themselves."
Coach Jim Wilson is no stranger to the Coach of the Week honor. In 1999, he not only earned a Coach of the Week honor, he was also the recipient of the top award of Coach of the Year as Glencliff High School head coach.
Through the Titans Foundation, team owner K.S. "Bud" Adams, Jr. will make a $1,000 contribution to the East Literature's High School football program in Coach Wilson's honor. Now in its 12th season, Mr. Adams has awarded more than $135,000 from the Titans Foundation to football programs across the state in honor of the Coach of the Week winners.
"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 Wilson will be the Titans guest at the Titans vs. Houston Texans game 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 Wilson 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 Jamie Williams of Bruceton-Hollow Rock High School leading his team to a 34-21 victory over Scotts Hill, snapping a 23 game losing streak; First year coach Duron Sutton of Memphis Ridgeway, defeating a topped ranked Memphis Whitehaven team 7-0 (Ridgeway is now 3-0, one win away of equally the win total of their 2009 season); Kent Green of David Crockett High School led his team to a 28-18 victory over Cocke County, improving to a 2-1 team record not seen since 2001.
"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.
