Left to right: Bryant White, Zach Lindberg, Drew Nelson, Mike Schmoll, John Rafik, Eugene Schmitz
The Packers have announced that Drew Nelson of Pacelli High School in Stevens Point, Wis., has been named the Green Bay Packers High School Coach of the Week.Nelson, in his third year as the varsity head coach of Pacelli, led the Cardinals to a 42-6 victory over the Manawa High School Wolves, on Friday, Sept. 1.
With the win over the Wolves, the Cardinals improved their record to 3-0 on the season. This marks the first time that Pacelli has opened the season with three victories since 2010. The Cardinals are now set to face Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School at home on Friday, Sept. 8.
"We've got a great group of kids, a great group of upperclassmen and seniors that have kind of taken everybody under their wing, as far as using the weight room and doing all of the right things and making it a team wide effort," said Nelson. "They push themselves a lot through practice. Obviously having 28 [players on the team], they know they have to play the entire time, so they take a lot of pride in that."
Nelson was born in Westby, Wis., and graduated from Westby High School in 2001. In high school, Nelson played football as a defensive lineman for Coach Mark Armstrong. Following high school, Nelson attended UW-Stevens Point, graduating in 2007.
Nelson began his coaching career as an assistant coach in Winona, Minn., for the semi-pro River City Rough Riders football team in 2004. After a move in 2006, Nelson became an assistant coach for the Cardinals and was named head coach in 2015.
Nelson said the Coach of the Week award means the world to him and his assistant coaches.
"To me, (this award) is a staff effort, and obviously all the accolades go the kids for their effort that they put on the field," said Nelson. "Once [the players] get out there against a team, you know they're giving their all. So this is definitely a staff award and a school wide award."
Nelson and his staff oversee a program of 28 players. His assistant staff includes Bryant White, Zach Lindberg, Mike Schmoll, John Raflik, and Eugene Schmitz.
Nelson and his wife, Sarah, have a daughter, Kaydyn and a son Maximus.About the Green Bay Packers High School Coach of the Week Program:
The Packers will recognize one outstanding high school coach as their 'Coach of the Week' winner during the 2017 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 Foundation, as well as recognition of the award on Packers.com, Wissports.net and Wifca.org.
Nominations for Coach of the Week should be submitted by 10 a.m. every Monday to Ryan Fencl, Youth Football Coordinator, at coachoftheweek@packers.com. Please include the nominee's name, address, school, phone number and reason he/she is deserving of the award.
