The Packers have announced that Mike Dressler of Kiel High School in Kiel, Wisconsin, has been named the Green Bay Packers High School Coach of the Week. The program is presented by Jack Link's Protein Snacks.
Dressler is now in his seventh year as the varsity head coach of Kiel. On Friday, Oct. 11, Kiel defeated New Holstein 40-0, which improved the Raiders' record to 8-0 on the season. The win also gave the Raiders their fifth straight eight-win season. The Raiders look to continue their success at home on Friday, Oct. 18, against conference rival Two Rivers High School.
Last week was rivalry week for the Raiders, and Dressler felt that setting the tempo early was crucial to giving them the edge over the Huskies of New Holstein.
"It was huge to be able to get off to a fast start. We took the opening kickoff back for a touchdown to take the lead. Then our defense got a quick three and out and we returned the punt back for a touchdown," Dressler said. "I think that took a lot of the wind out of their sails. Our offense was able to get out on the field and were able to consistently move the ball and score some points against what I believe to be a very good New Holstein football team."
Dressler grew up in Milwaukee and attended Milwaukee-Pulaski High School where he played football and ran track. In football he was an offensive and defensive end under Wisconsin Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame Coach Gregg Dufek. Dressler went on to play wide receiver at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater for WFCA Hall of Fame Coach Forrest Perkins. Dressler graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in 1971.
Dressler began his coaching career 47 years ago as an assistant coach at Milwaukee-Pulaski in 1972. After seven years at his alma mater, Dressler became an assistant coach at Milwaukee Hamilton in 1979. The following year he was promoted to head coach at Milwaukee Hamilton, where he coached until 1987. In 1988 he changed jobs and became an assistant coach at West Allis Hale before becoming an assistant at Nicolet High School. In 1990, Dressler made the move north to become the new head coach at Wausau West High School, where he coached until 1992. From 1993-2008 Dressler served as the head coach at Fond du Lac High School, before transitioning to an assistant coach at North Fond du Lac High School in 2009, and was promoted to head coach at North Fond Du Lac in 2010. Following the 2012 season, Dressler became the head coach at Kiel High School. Dressler joined his former coaches, Dufek and Perkins, as a member of the WFCA Hall of Fame through his induction in 2006.
Dressler was humbled by the award but knows he couldn't have done it by himself.
"To our program, it represents what we all do, whether it's the coaching staff, the alumni association, the parents, the community or the coaches; it represents how hard we have worked to try and improve our football program here at Kiel," Dressler said. "No one person has done this, it has been a complete and total effort by everyone, and I am just very fortunate and very proud to be a part of it. [Personally], I'm honored be selected for this award when there are so many great coaches in Wisconsin. It truly humbles me."
Dressler and his staff oversee 50 players in their program, with 35 suiting up for varsity. Dressler's assistant coaches include Max Feldmann, Derek Campbell, Michael Endries, David Esswein, John Campbell, Robb Landwher, Dario Talerico, and Jay Binversie. Dressler and his wife of 48 years, Diane, have two daughters, Heidi and Debbie.
About the Green Bay Packers High School Coach of the Week Program:
The Green Bay Packers Coach of the Week program, presented by Jack Link's Protein Snacks, supports football outreach efforts by giving high school coaches the recognition they deserve. On a weekly basis, for ten weeks throughout the high school football season, the Packers will select one high school coach as the Coach of the Week. Each honoree will be 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. Winning coaches will also receive recognition on Packers.com, WisSports.net and Wifca.org, and will be mentioned in the Packers Gameday program.
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.
