NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee Titans announced today that David Martin, head football coach of Goodpasture Christian High School in Madison, Tenn. has been named as the Titans High School Football Coach of the Week for Week One. Goodpasture outlasted Ravenwood Raptors 42-35 in overtime after rallying from a 14 point deficit on two separate occasions.
"Coach Martin is very deserving for this honor and he works very hard with the kids and does a great job being a good role model, getting them prepare each week," said Goodpasture High School Principal Lindsey Judd. "His athletes play above our division almost every week, especially against Ravenwood. Being able to compete against that school is a pretty big deal as far as we are concerned. Coach Martin has been here for 18 years and runs a top notch program. Nobody works harder and more respectful than his players."
Through the Titans Foundation, team owner K.S. "Bud" Adams, Jr. will make a $1,000 contribution to the Goodpasture Christian High School football program in Coach Martin'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 Martin 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 Martin 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 Jeff Morris of Milan High School who led his team to a 28-0 victory (despite losing all 11 offensive and 7 defensive starters due to 2009 graduation); Barry Loyal of Chattanooga Christian (who is in their second year of varsity football and defeated an established Lookout Valley team 21-7 to win its 2nd game in school history); Steve Carson of Eagleville High School (led his 1A Eagles past class 4A Page High School for one of the biggest wins in school history by a score of 5-3).
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 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.
