Andy Coldren, of Beloit Turner High School, has been named Green Bay Packers Coach of the Week, the organization announced Thursday.
Coldren and the Trojans snapped a 32-game losing streak with a 7-0 victory over Orfordville Parkview last week. It was Beloit Turner's (1-3) first victory since Oct. 10, 2003, a drought of nearly four years.
"It's a real tribute to the program to be selected as high school coach of the week," Coldren said. "I'd like to thank the kids for working (hard) all summer."
The win also marked the first-ever victory for Coldren, who is entering his first season as a varsity head coach with his alma mater. Coldren, who graduated from Beloit Turner in 1986, was hired to coach the Trojans after a 10-year stint (1997-'06) as junior varsity head coach at Janesville Parker High School.
Coldren, who was born in Beloit, started rebuilding the Trojans program as soon as he was hired. The team had only 19 players before he arrived. Coldren has doubled that number to 38 in his first season.
"I'd like to thank my coaching staff," Coldren said. "They've done a fantastic job with the kids, keeping them motivated, and helping get the kids out this year."
Coldren is assisted by Rob Llorca, Gino Sherrod, Eric Kosterman, Adrian Logan, Stephen Jacobson and Ken Watkins.
He started his coaching career as an assistant coach (defensive and offensive line) under DeWayne Derickson at Marion High School in 1996 after graduating from Wisconsin-Whitewater with a Master's degree in education. He currently teaches accounting and marketing.
Throughout his coaching journey, Coldren has had his wife by his side.
"My wife Karen, a stay-at-home mom, does a tremendous job with our own kids and is very supportive of me and my staff," Coldren said. He and Karen have three children, Carly, 7, Calvin, 5, and Clayton, 3.
The Packers will recognize one outstanding high school coach as their 'Coach of the Week' winner during the 2007 high school football season. Winners are awarded several items and privileges, including a $1,000 donation to the school's football program from the Green Bay Packers and the NFL, as well as recognition of the award on www.NFLHS.com, the NFL's high school football Web site.
Nominations for Coach of the Week should be submitted by 9 a.m. every Monday to Tim Schroeder, community outreach coordinator, at coachoftheweek@packers.com (e-mail) or by fax at (920) 569-7302. Please include the nominee's name, address, school, phone number, and reason he/she is deserving of the award.
