Youth Football

Coach of the Week Program

Each week throughout the 2012 nine-week high school regular season, one coach that best develops his players’ character, discipline and football skill while also advancing and promoting player health and safety within their high school football program will be recognized for his commitment to the team, school and community. The winner is selected by a panel of four high school football media members -- Mick McCabe (Detroit Free Press), Hugh Bernreuter (Saginaw News), Bret Bakita (107.3 FM WBBL-Grand Rapids) and Scott DeCamp (Mlive.com/Kalamazoo).

This season’s program will award $24,000 to aid in the development and promotion of high school football in the state of Michigan thanks to contributions from the Detroit Lions and the National Football League and presenting sponsor the Michigan Army National Guard.

Each winning coach throughout the regular season will receive a $2,000 donation to his school’s football program. All weekly winners will be honored at an awards ceremony during the Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears game at Ford Field on December 30, 2012. During the ceremony, the Lions will also introduce the High School Coach of the Year. This year’s Coach of the Year will receive a $4,000 donation to his team’s football program.

In addition to the monetary award, all winners receive a framed certificate signed by Lions’ head coach Jim Schwartz and National Football League (NFL) Commissioner Roger Goodell. Winning coaches also receive a personalized game ball, and a Detroit Lions “Coach of the Week” hat.

Currently in its 16th year, the Detroit Lions High School Coach of the Week program has awarded $290,000 to high school football programs throughout the state of Michigan. For more information on the Detroit Lions High School Coach of the Week program, contact Chris Fritzsching at (313) 262-2248