Jeff Klemp, of Franklin High School, has been named Green Bay Packers High School Coach of the Week, the organization announced Wednesday.
In his third year as the head coach at Franklin, Klemp lead the team to its second playoff win of the season last Saturday, when the Sabers defeated No. 1 seed Milton High School by a score of 44-28.
Franklin has now advanced to the third round of the WIAA Division 2 playoffs, and will travel to Verona to take on the 10-1 Wildcats this coming Saturday.
"We've made the playoffs nine out of the last 10 years, and that is a testament to the hard work that our coaches have put into this team," said Klemp. "The level of consistency that they bring to our kids is a pillar of our program."
Klemp and his staff oversee a program made up of 130 players, including a varsity team of 55. His assistant coaching staff includes Jake Barber, Doug Baretz, Mike Beck, Louis Brown, Buck Hughes, Dean Lew, John Plewa, Tony Scott, and Tom Thurin.
A native of Ripon, Wis., Klemp attended Ripon High School where he played both tight end and defensive back under head coach Jim Watson. Klemp is a graduate of University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and is currently a mathematics teacher at Franklin High School. He began his coaching career as an assistant varsity coach at Franklin in 1989.
After a 10-year hiatus away from coaching football, Klemp rejoined the staff as the varsity wide receivers coach in 2004. Since Klemp's appointment to the head coaching position, the Sabers have posted an overall record of 26-9, and won the WIAA Division 2 championship in 2006.
Klemp lists his greatest influence as his father, Skip, who has been an inspiration on and off the field.
*The Packers will recognize one outstanding high school coach as their 'Coach of the Week' winner during the 2008 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, 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, community outreach 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.*
