NASHVILLE, Tenn – Tennessee High School football has begun and has once again proven sports can excite an entire community!
Our Week 1 recipient of the Titans High School Coach of the Week honor is Rodney Saulsberry of Whitehaven High School. Coach Saulsberry is no stranger to the program, winning High School Coach of the Year in 2012. This past weekend, his Whitehaven Tigers decisively defeated the Fairley Bulldogs, 36 – 6.
This summer, Whitehaven joined the Heads Up Football program. We reached out to Coach Saulsberry to briefly discuss the importance of football safety and impact the program has had on his staff, players and the reassurance given to parents.
Q: What made you decide to join Heads Up Football? A:First and foremost, the safety of the players; football is a great gam.e but we definitely know there is a risk and whatever we do to make the game safe as possible for the student athlete, I'm all for it. Playing the game, having fun and winning is all good, but we want to make sure the kids are safe.
Q: What have your athletes and coaches gained since joining? A:We focus more on the fundamentals, teaching proper techniques and overall doing things the right way. It's always great to be well informed and teach the proper techniques.
Q: Have you found the extra information regarding health and safety beneficial when talking to parents regarding the safety of the sport? A:* Definitely! Just letting the parents know we are doing all we can to teach the right way is an important message. Parents are entrusting their children with me and my staff to know we are doing everything possible to teach their child the best way possible to remain healthy while they perform out on the field. It's great to give a level of comfort to the parent. *
As the Coach of the Week honoree, Whitehaven High School will receive a $1,000 grant benefiting its football program. To date, the Tennessee Titans have provided $175,000 toward the Titans High School Coach of the Week program.
