NASHVILLE, TN, Sept. 2, 2008 —The Tennessee Titans announced today that Brian Rector, head football coach of Ravenwood High School in Brentwood, Tenn. has been named as the Titans High School Football Coach of the Week for Week One. Ravenwood shocked visiting Brentwood Academy, ranked No.10 in the Nation by USA Today, 22-21 on a touchdown and two-point conversion in the closing seconds of the fourth quarter.
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"Coach Rector is a top-notch motivator, teacher and coach," said Ravenwood principal Pam Vaden. "Coach Rector has been with Ravenwood since we opened and is highly-regarded and respected by the students and staff. He is integral to Ravenwood's success not only athletically but also academically."
Through the Titans Foundation, team owner K.S. "Bud" Adams, Jr. will make a $1,000 contribution to the Ravenwood High School football program in Coach Rector'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 Rector will be the team's guest at the Titans game vs. Pittsburgh Steelers on December 21st when the team honors all 2008 Coach of the Week winners and announces the winner of the 2008 Coach of the Year! Coach Rector 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 Steve Hoofkin of Liberty Magnet School in Jackson, TN whose team defeated Dyer County 29-23, George Quarles of Maryville who beat rival Alcoa 20-13, Tommy Remis of Heritage High School who led his squad to an upset of Seymour 19-0 and Graham Clark of Dobyns-Bennett who defeated William Blount 42-6.
Now in its 11th season, the Adams has awarded more than $112,000 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.
