NASHVILLE, TN, Sept. 22, 2008- The Tennessee Titans announced today that Kelly Spivey, head football coach of South Fulton High School in South Fulton, Tenn., has been named the Titans High School Football Coach of the Week for Week Four. The South Fulton Red Devils defeated Bruceton-Hollow Rock 32-7 to stay undefeated in 2008.
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"Coach Spivey has turned our football program around as well as the mindset of our football players: they believe in themselves and believe they can win each time they step on the field," said South Fulton principal Adam B. Stephens. "His students, colleagues and community all respect him for his hard work in restoring school pride. We are proud to have him and are behind him 100 percent."
Through the Titans Foundation, team owner K.S. "Bud" Adams, Jr. will make a $1,000 contribution to the South Fulton High School football program in Coach Spivey'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 Spivey will be the team's guest at the Titans vs. Pittsburgh Steelers game 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 Spivey 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 Lexington's Bryan Hollingsworth who upset Bolivar 34-28 on the road in their first big region contest, first-year head coach Troy Boeck of Marion County who defeated the previously No. 3 team in Class 2A Tyner: it was their first win over Tyner in 13 years, Tim Johnson of Battle Ground Academy whose club beat Memphis Briarcrest 35-21 to remain only one of 21 teams in the state to be undefeated and Franklin's Craig Clayton who led the high-scoring Rebels to a 5-0 start and No.2 ranking in Class 5A after defeating Independence 41-20.
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.
