Alan Minnaert of Madison Edgewood 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. This will be the final Coach of the Week award given out for the 2011 season.
Minnaert, in his 20th season as the head coach of Madison Edgewood, led the Crusaders to a 21-20 victory over Mount Horeb/Barneveld in the third level of the WIAA playoffs. Friday's victory gave Edgewood their first ten win season in school history. The Crusaders now travel to Kettle Moraine to face the Wisconsin Lutheran Vikings in the WIAA Division 3 semi-final game.
"We've had an outstanding season so far," said Minnaert. "We have a great group of young men with great senior leadership who really appreciate the time that they have together."
An Annawan, Ill., native, Minnaert is a 1977 graduate of Annawan High School where he played running back and defensive back under head coach David Bills. After high school, he attended St. Ambrose University (Ill.) where he played defensive back. Upon graduating in 1981, he began his coaching career as an assistant for his alma mater. After being promoted to head coach for the '82 and '83 seasons, Minnaert was hired at Holy Name High School (Wis.) where he coached for eight years. In 1992, Minnaert accepted his current position as head football coach, religion studies, and physical education teacher at Madison Edgewood High School.
Minnaert and his staff oversee a program of 95 players, including a varsity roster of 55. He is assisted by Charlie Drewek, Andy Garcia, Jeff Gifford, Stanley Guillaume, Alvah Hansbro, Chris Clausen, Andy Merfeld, Alex Minnaert, Chris Turtenwald, and Dan Westrick.
Minnaert and his wife, Sylvia, have one daughter, Sophia, and two sons, Alex and Mario.
The Packers and the Wisconsin National Guard have recognized one outstanding high school coach as their 'Coach of the Week' winner during the 2011 high school football season. Winners were 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.
