NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee Titans announced today that Bryant Hollingsworth, head football coach of Lexington High School in Lexington, TN, has been named as the Titans High School Football Coach of the Week for week nine. In a battle of two top-10 ranked class 4-A powerhouses, the ninth-ranked Lexington "Big Red" Tigers went on the road to defeat the second-ranked Liberty Crusaders 40-27.
"Coach Hollingsworth does an outstanding job by putting expectation on our kids to work hard and being dedicated the program," said Lexington Principal Steve Lindsey. "Hollingsworth is not only a fine coach, he also has outstanding character and we are proud to have him as our football coach."
Through the Titans Foundation, team owner K.S. "Bud" Adams, Jr. will make a $1,000 contribution to the Lexington High School football program in Coach Hollingsworth'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 Hollingsworth 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 Hollingsworth 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 Michael Harrison of Perry County. Coach Harrison led the Commodores over Wayne County in triple overtime 50-48; Scott Murray of Glencliff High School, defeating Hunters Lane 29-23, earning their first game of the season; Bruce Hatfield of Hendersonville, defeating Beech in overtime 16-15
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.
