The Packers have announced that Matt Kern of New Berlin Eisenhower High School in New Berlin, Wis., has been named the Green Bay Packers High School Coach of the Week.
Kern, in his fifth year as the varsity head coach of Eisenhower, led the Lions to a 20-7 victory against their conference rival, Greendale, on Friday, Sept. 7. Both teams entered the contest undefeated at 2-0 in conference play. Last season, Eisenhower and Greendale finished first and second in the Woodland-West Conference respectfully, and the result of this early game could again have big implications for the conference standings later this year. Eisenhower looks to remain unbeaten as they travel to New Berlin West to take on the also undefeated Vikings on Friday, Sept. 14.
Kern knew heading into the game against Greendale, it was going to be a defensive battle.
"The biggest thing was that our defense played great," Kern said. "We forced five turnovers and had an interception that we ran back in the fourth quarter.We knew it was going to be a low-scoring defensive-style game. Our defense made some big plays that won us the game."
Kern, a native of New Berlin, Wis., graduated from Eisenhower in 1995. Throughout high school, he participated in football, basketball and baseball. Kern played offensive and defensive line for Wisconsin Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame member, Jeff Setz. Following high school, he went on to graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1999.
Kern began his coaching career in 2000 as a youth football coach for the New Berlin Generals. From 2010 until 2013, Kern was the head coach of the eighth grade Generals football team. Following the 2013 season, Kern took over the head varsity coaching position for the Eisenhower Lions.
Kern said that the Coach of the Week award is definitely a team effort.
"Anytime you win an award like this, it is a reflection of the staff," said Kern. "We've got a lot of guys that work really hard and take a lot of pride in what they are doing. This award is great recognition for everybody, not just myself. I look at myself as one of a group of guys, and I try and do my part as much as they try and do theirs. This award is definitely something our coaches and players can take a lot of pride in."
Kern and his staff oversee a program of 100 players, with 65 of them suiting up for varsity games. His assistant staff includes Jim Crowley, Jason Scaffidi, Sean Crowley, Eric Mack, Jeff Kaszubowski, Steve Radomski, Jon Kaszubowski, Mike Richards, and Chris Lidwin.
In addition to coaching football, Kern is also a business and marketing teacher at Eisenhower High School.
About the Green Bay Packers High School Coach of the Week Program:
The Packers will recognize one outstanding high school coach as their 'Coach of the Week' winner during the 2018 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, Jack Link's Protein Snacks and the NFL Foundation, as well as recognition of the award on Packers.com, Wissports.net and Wifca.org.
Winning coaches will also take part in the Jack Link's High School Coach of the Week Game Ball Delivery where they will hand the game ball over to a member of the Packers staff or referee prior to a regular season home game.
Nominations for Coach of the Week should be submitted by 10 a.m. every Monday to Ryan Fencl, Football Outreach Specialist, at coachoftheweek@packers.com. Please include the nominee's name, address, school, phone number and reason he/she is deserving of the award.
