NASHVILLE, TN, Oct. 27, 2008 -The Tennessee Titans announced today that Jeff Porter, head football coach of White House High School in White House, Tenn., has been named the Titans High School Football Coach of the Week for Week Nine. The White House Blue Devils edged rival Station Camp High School 21-20 to capture their first outright region title since 2004.
 |
"We think very highly of Coach Porter here at White House and it's great to see someone such as him who runs a program with so much class be awarded this honor," said White House Athletic Director/Assistant Principal Jeff Bennett. "In his program, it's not a win at all costs attitude. He believes in building good people, making you a better person and being someone the community can be proud of."
Through the Titans Foundation, team owner K.S. "Bud" Adams, Jr. will make a $1,000 contribution to the White House High School football program in Coach Porter'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 Porter 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 Porter 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 votes for the coach of the week was Scott Verran Of Happy Valley who lead his club to a 19-18 double-overtime victory over Hampton, Al Pellegrino of Lake County High School whose club upset eighth-ranked (Class 1A) McKenzie 38-35, Camden Central's Kevin Ward whose team defeated Stewart County 49-18 and McMinn Central's Brandon Derrick whose team shutout Polk County 16-0 to claim the Region 3-3A championship with one more victory in 2008.
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.
--end* --*
