Adam Bakken of Waterford High School has been named Green Bay Packers High School Coach of the Week, a program presented by the Wisconsin National Guard, the organization announced Wednesday. Bakken is the first recipient of the award in 2011.
Bakken, in his first season as the head coach of the Division 2 program, recorded his second win of the year on Friday when the Wolverines defeated the Division 1 powerhouse, Homestead Highlanders, 17-15 on a last second game winning field goal.
"We had a big drive at the end of the game after they took the lead which set us up for a crucial field goal to win it," said Bakken. "Homestead is one of the premier programs in the state and Coach Keel and his staff had them well prepared, things just started to go our way."
A Madison, Wis., native, Bakken is a 1996 graduate of McFarland High School where he played running back and cornerback under father Rodney Bakken and head coach Bill Rice. After high school, he attended the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. While attending college, Bakken began his coaching career at Onalaska High School in 1998. Upon graduating in 2004, he spent one season on the coaching staff at Kenosha Tremper and Adams-Friendship High Schools and four years as the defensive coordinator for Big Foot before receiving the varsity head coach position at Waterford. Bakken is also the schools science teacher.
Bakken and his staff oversee a program of 85 players, including a varsity roster of 32. He is assisted by Ryan Bingenhiemer, Dan Brennan, Dave Fisher, Dave Hanson, Dave Lindbeck, Scott Pritzl, Mike Saglin, and Mike Steinhouse.
The Packers and the Wisconsin National Guard will recognize one outstanding high school coach as their 'Coach of the Week' winner during the 2011 high school football season. Winners are awarded several items and privileges, including a $2,000 donation to the school's football program from the Green Bay Packers, Wisconsin National Guard, and the NFL, as well as recognition of the award on packers.com.
*Nominations for Coach of the Week should be submitted by 9 a.m. every Monday to Tim Schroeder, youth football 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. *
