Kirk Haugestuen and Bruce Rasmussen, co-coaches at Barron High School, have been named Green Bay Packers Coach of the Week, a program presented by the Wisconsin National Guard, the organization announced Wednesday. Haugestuen and Rasmussen are the first recipients of the award in 2012.
The Golden Bears improved to 1-1 last Friday after defeating Bloomer in an 18-15 last second field goal victory. Friday's win snapped a seven year losing streak versus the Blackhawks and placed the Golden Bears in a four-way tie atop of the Heart O'North Conference.
"It's our belief as coaches that self-discipline is directly related to championship behavior and outstanding character," said Haugestuen. "We love our team's work ethic and there's a great chemistry amongst the team members and coaches."
The co-coaches and their staff oversee a program of 36 players, including a varsity team of 20. They are assisted by Steve Grosskreutz, Scott Keller, Derek Lundequam, Trenton Nelson, Ray Roberts, and Mitchell Rasmussen.
Haugestuen is a 1978 graduate of Chetek High School where he lettered in football under Coach Gary Fitzgerald. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Superior and took his first coaching job at Spooner High School in 1986. In 1992, he began his stint as a volunteer for the Golden Bear football program before being named co-head coach in 2011. Haugestuen is also the school's principal. Married to Julie, the couple has four children, Karl, Hannah, Emily and Austin.
Rasmussen, a branch president for a local bank, has 18 years of coaching experience in Barron youth sports. A 1979 graduate of Barron High School, he played quarterback for the Golden Bears under head coach Leonard Grygiel. He graduated from Hamline University in 1983. Rasmussen accepted the co-head coaching position at Barron in 2011. Married to Kelli, the couple has three children, Mathew, Mitchell and Neil.
The Packers and the Wisconsin National Guard will recognize one outstanding high school coach as their 'Coach of the Week' winner during the 2012 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 10 a.m. every Monday to Tim Schroeder, youth football coordinator, at coachoftheweek@packers.com 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.
