01/07/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/07/2025 11:09
As a part of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Coach of the Year program, the IHSA administrative staff annually honors individuals as NFHS Coaches of the Year in their respective sports. Coaches of the Year are selected based on the results of the previous school year, as well as other elements such as career success, positive leadership, sportsmanship, and contributions to the sport.
State coaches of the year then complete further information for the NFHS, which is reviewed by a national committee who selects eight Section winners in each sport and one National winner in each sport. Illinois is located in NFHS Section 4 with Indiana, Iowa, Michigan and Wisconsin.
"Congratulations to all of these worthy individuals on being selected as IHSA Coaches of the Year," said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson. "As a former high school coach myself, I understand the time and commitment it takes to help shape young people. Clearly, all of these coaches are making a significant impact on their respective schools and communities. We are proud to have them represent Illinois and the IHSA and wish them luck in this awards process at the national level."
See the 2024 NFHS Coach of the Year from Illinois below:
---2024 NFHS COACHES OF THE YEAR---
SPORT | COACH | SCHOOL |
Badminton | Gena Fite | York |
Baseball | Dave Kalal | York |
Bass Fishing | Tait Sennett | Princeville |
Boys Basketball | Ronnie Fields | Chicago Hope Academy |
Boys Bowling | Doug Cottom | Harrisburg |
Boys Cross Country | Andrew Derks | Plainfield North |
Boys Golf | Mike Wieting | Bloomington Central Catholic |
Boys Lacrosse | Jordan Bobbo | Neuqua Valley |
Boys Soccer | Chad Kutscher | Rochester |
Boys Swimming & Diving | Don Kura | Maine South |
Boys Tennis | William Stastny | Prairie Ridge |
Boys Track & Field | Janet Erb | Winnebago |
Boys Volleyball | Jordan Vidovic | Marist |
Boys Water Polo | Kelly Reif | Naperville North |
Football | Jeff Boyer | Byron |
Girls Basketball | Taylor Rohrer | Lincoln |
Girls Bowling | Mark Tubb | Mascoutah |
Girls Cross Country | Tim McDonald | Downers Grove North |
Girls Golf | Bob Ralph | Sacred Heart-Griffin |
Girls Gymnastics | Shannon Barrett | Hersey |
Girls Lacrosse | Amanda Kammes | Benet Academy |
Girls Soccer | Steve Keller | Fremd |
Girls Swimming & Diving | Glenn Brown | Rosary |
Girls Tennis | Courtney Bison | Hinsdale South |
Girls Track & Field | Jason Cooper | South Shore Prep International |
Girls Volleyball | Dennis Wills | Galena |
Girls Water Polo | Steven Anderson | Lincoln-Way East |
Softball | Renae Leander | Woodhull-Alwood |
Cheerleading | Zenia Boyd | Homewood-Flossmoor |
Dance | Tiffany Hickox | Jacksonville |
Wrestling | Jake Oster | Yorkville |
Adaptive Unified | Tom White | De La Salle |