Coach of the Three-Quarter Century.

When Scholastic Coach & Athletic Director got ready to light the candles for its 75th anniversary year, the staff decided that any coaching magazine worth its title had to honor its constituents. After serious consultation, we decided to ask each state to name its top coach--male or female, any sport, anytime from 1931 to the present. Sounded easy. It wasn't. We enlisted the help of NOCAD, the National Organization of Coaching Association Directors, the umbrella group of many of the nation's top high school coaches associations.

Most of them were delighted to take part. From what we gathered, more than a few association boards of directors debated into the wee hours before finally settling on that one special coach. Some associations, much like those potato chip ads, couldn't pick just one--and passed the choice back to us. In states without a NOCAD-affiliated association, we asked local sports media, historians, and other experts to help us find the winner.

Herewith, with thanks to all of those who helped and with apologies to all who feel we've fumbled in this most subjective of all efforts, are our picks for every state's high school Coach of the Three-Quarter Century.

--Bruce Weber

ALABAMA: GLENN DANIEL

Coach Daniel is the all-time leader in career football wins in Alabama history, having compiled a lifetime record of 302-67-16 over a 50-year career spanning six decades. At Luverne High (Luverne, AL), he amassed 34 winning seasons. In 1991 he led the Tigers to their first state title. Daniel was named Alabama Coach of the Year in 1981, 1987 and in 1991, the year he was inducted into the Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame.

ALASKA: TOM HUFFER

Coach Huffer started the football program at Chugiak (AK) High in 1969, and turned the Mustangs into a state powerhouse. Huffer led Chugiak to Cook Inlet Conference titles in 1981, 1984 and 1988, and state championships in 1983, 1984 and 1988. Named Alaska Coach of the Year in 1979, 1981, 1984 and 1988, Huffer was a National Coach of the year nominee in 1985. In 1991, he received the distinguished service award for Region 7. Huffer was elected to the Alaska State Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2005, and the Alaska High School Hall of Fame in March 2006.

ARIZONA: NORMA BELLAMY

Coach Bellamy, with a career record of 520-33 (.940), including 21 state titles and four winning streaks of more than 50 matches at Safford (AZ) High, was tabbed by the Arizona Republic in 2000 as one of the state's "Top 25 Sports Architects"--a select group that included Lute Olsen, Frank Kush, and Jerry Colangelo. On her watch, Safford rattled off 13 straight state titles from 1968-80, and she was honored as the 1994 Budget Car Coaches Award recipient presented by the Women's Sports Foundation, and the 2005 You Paved the Way Award winner, given by the Arizona Coaches Association. That year, she also was inducted into the National Federation Hall of Fame. Bellamy also won a division title in tennis, and four state championships in five years as a girls' track coach.--selected by the Arizona Coaches Association

ARKANSAS: FRANK McCLELLAN

In his 31 years at Barton (AR) High School, Coach McClellan guided the Bears to eight state titles and 23 district championships--including a 111-game regular season winning streak. He has won more high school football games than any coach in Arkansas history, with a career record of 367-59-3. In addition, he has won 12 district titles and two state championships in boys' track. McClellan is a member of the Delta State University Hall of Fame, and was inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2002. He was selected for membership in the National Federation Hall of Fame in 2003, and has been a national finalist for the AFCA Power of Influence Award since the program's inception two years ago. The award is not based on wins and losses, but rather honors a deserving high school football coach for his effect on his players, school, and community.

CALIFORNIA: BOB LADOUCEUR 

When Coach Ladouceur took over the De La Salle High (Concord, CA) football program in 1979, the Spartans had never experienced a winning season. They immediately reversed that trend with a 6-3 record, and haven't looked back. Entering the 2006 season, Ladouceur had accumulated an overall 319-20-3 career record (.941), including 151 straight wins between 1992 and 2003. Seventeen of his teams have been unbeaten, and he has coached five teams to national championships. In 2001, Coach Ladouceur was inducted into the National High School Hall of Fame.

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COLORADO: WARREN MITCHELL 

In his 51 years of coaching at Limon High (Limon, CO), Coach Mitchell has led the Badgers to state championships in football, basketball and track--17 in all. A winner of the Don DesCombes Distinguished Service Award--named for the first president and one of the founders of the Colorado High School Coaches Association--Mitchell has also been honored by the CHSCA for his coaching achievements in football and basketball. Currently in his 54th year of coaching, he was inducted into the Colorado High School Activities Hall of Fame in 2002.--selected by the Colorado High School Coaches Association

CONNECTICUT: JOE FONTANA 

In his 24 years of coaching football at Lewis and Southington (CT) High Schools (from1932-54, Coach Fontana amassed a 136-39-14 record, capturing nine Merit Awards. Coach Fontana also served as Athletic Director at Southington, was awarded a Gold Key by the Connecticut Sports Writers' Alliance in 1968, and is a member of the National High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

DELAWARE: GEORGE SCHOLLENBERGER

When Coach Schollenberger arrived at Laurel (DE) High in 1930, he took the helm of the football, basketball, baseball and girls' basketball teams, and distinguished himself in each. In football, his 36-year record was 140-109-21, including five undefeated seasons. His 1957 squad was one of the most dominating in Delaware history, scoring 222 points while allowing just 12. In 30 years as a boys' basketball coach he had a 299-130 record. In 23 years as baseball coach, he was 154-88. And while no records were kept in girls' basketball in the early '30s, he led Laurel to a state championship in that sport as well. Athletic director at Laurel for seven years (1966-73), Schollenberger was inducted into the Delaware Sports Hall of Fame, and was president of the Delaware Retired Teachers Association. Coach Schollenberger passed away on August 17, 1982 at the age of 77.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: BOB HEADEN

Perhaps best known as the person who converted Byron Leftwich from a wideout to a quarterback, Coach Headen garnered a 629-83 career record at Woodson High, and was named 2002 National High School Athletic Coaches Association Coach of the Year. A member of the NHSACA Hall of Fame, he was also named 2005 NHSACA Coach of the year in girls' basketball.--selected by the D. C. Coaches Association

FLORIDA: CORKY ROGERS

Entering the 2006 season, Coach Rogers held a 331-67-1 record as a football coach with Jacksonville Lee (1971-1988) and Jacksonville Bolles (1989-). With a resume that includes no losing seasons, Coach Rogers is second among all Florida coaches in state titles won, with six. His teams have garnered seven perfect 10-0 regular-season records.--selected by the Florida Athletic Coaches Association

GEORGIA: AUGUST WRIGHT BAZEMORE

Coach Bazemore coached football at Valdosta (GA) High for 30 years, accumulating a 268-51 record, including 17 regional, 14 sectional, 14 state and three national championships. His teams were also state runners-up four times. In 2001, he was inducted into the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame.--selected by the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association

HAWAII: CAL LEE 

Coach Lee is recognized as Hawaii's most successful football coach, having led the St. Louis School Crusaders (Honolulu) to 15 Prep Bowl or state championships, 17 Interscholastic League of Honolulu titles, and a national ranking as high as No. 2. He retired as head coach after the 2001 season with a 241-32-5 career record. While at St. Louis, he also served as Athletic Director for several years, and was head coach of the Hawaiian Islanders Arena Football team in the 2003-2004 seasons. He has been an assistant coach in charge of linebackers with the University of Hawaii for the past four years.

IDAHO: EMERY ROY

The most successful girls' basketball in Idaho history, Coach Roy has compiled a 595-144 record with Centennial (Boise) and Meridian High Schools (Meridian). In 2006, he led the Centennial Rebels to their fifth overall state championship, and their second in the past three years. From 1980-83, he led Meridian High to an overall 95-6 record, including three SIC crowns, three district championships and four straight state titles.

ILLINOIS: VERGIL FLETCHER

Coach Fletcher piloted the Collinsville (IL) High basketball team from 1946 to 1978, compiling a 747-171 record. Under Coach Fletcher's leadership, the Kahoks won 20 conference championships and made 14 state tournament appearances with two state championships (1961 and 1965). The 1961 team went 32-0. In addition, Fletcher was the first cross-country coach at Collinsville, and was track coach from 1946 to 1970, He coached the Kahok football team from 1946 to 1966 and compiled a 100-69-11 record. A charter member of the Illinois Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame, Fletcher has also been inducted into the Illinois Football Coaches, the National High School Sports, and that National High School Athletic Halls of Fame.--selected by the Illinois Coaches Association

INDIANA: MARION CRAWLEY

He entered the coaching profession heading football programs at three high schools for 13 years, including two undefeated teams and a cumulative record of 93-27-7. But it was in basketball where Coach Crawley became a legend, winning four Indiana State High School championships--two at Washington (IN) High and two at Lafayette (IN) Jefferson. Over his 34-year career as a basketball coach, his record was 734-231 for a .761 winning percentage. Coach Crawley's teams won 32 sectionals, including a record 23 straight during his 24 years at Jefferson, and finished runners-up in the state tournament three times. Coach Crawley once coached the Japanese Olympic basketball team, and has been inducted into the Indiana Football and Basketball Halls of Fame.--selected by the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association

IOWA: DUANE TWAIT

Currently the Offensive Line Coach at Iowa Central Community College, where his son, Kevin Twait, is head coach, Coach Twait has been in the coaching profession for 42 years. While at Emmetsburg High (Emmetsburg, IA), he chalked up 339 victories, qualified for the state playoffs for 28 of 29 years, won seven state titles and was runner up seven times. He was named National High School Coach of the Year in 1999, and is the first person to receive the Des Moines Register Football Coach of the Year award twice (1977 and 2003).--selected by the Iowa Football Coaches Association

KANSAS: JOHN H. LOCKE

Coach Locke won 731 high school basketball games--more than any coach in Kansas history--in his 44-year career beginning in 1933 and spanning five decades. One of five inaugural inductees into the Kansas Basketball Coaches' Hall of Fame in 1984, Locke was named National High School Coach of the Year in 1976. Coach Locke began his coaching career at his alma mater, Covert (KS) High, where his teams compiled a 135-18 record. He moved to Natoma High where he won 401 games in 19 seasons. At Natoma, his teams were state champs in 1958 and 1959, and put together a string of 51 straight victories. In 1963, Coach Locke moved on to Stockton High, where he went 114-84 in 10 years, including nine trips to the state tournament. Coach Locke returned to Natoma in 1973 to coach both the boys' and girls' teams. Under his guidance, the boys' team won 80 games and lost just 13, including an undefeated state championship season in 1975. Coach Locke's girls' team went 25-1 in 1973, ending the season as runners-up in the state tournament. His career winning percentage was .783, and h is teams won three state titles. Coach Locke passed away in 1990 at the age of 93.

KENTUCKY: MARTY DONLON

Coach Donlon has led the Saint Xavier High (Louisville) golf team for over 35 years, during which time his teams have earned 11 state titles. He has served student athletes throughout Kentucky as the tournament manager for many regional and state tournaments. In addition, Donlon served as head coach for the Tigers' boys' basketball team. He was inducted into the KHSAA Hall of Fame in 2004--selected by the Kentucky High School Coaches Association

LOUISIANA: J.T. CURTIS

Coach Curtis, who played college ball at Arkansas under the legendary Frank Broyles, is the second-winningest high school football coach of all time. With a 37-year 427-26-6 lifetime record at John Curtis Christian Schools (River Ridge, LA), he has won 20 state titles, including crowns at the 2A, 3A and 4A levels. In 2005, he guided the Patriots to the 2A crown despite missing several games following the havoc wrought by Hurricane Katrina. Curtis is the winningest prep football coach in Louisiana history.

MAINE: GEORGE WENTWORTH

Coach Wentworth led Stearns High (Millinocket, ME) to the 1963 New England Schoolboy Championship, and had an overall career record of 478-153. Upon his retirement in 1971, the new gym at Stearns was dedicated in his honor. The Bangor Daily News selected Wentworth as the Maine Basketball Coach of the Half Century in 1992. A member of the Maine Sports Hall of Fame, he was inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003. A varsity basketball and baseball player at Notre Dame University, Coach Wentworth once batted .412 and was drafted by the Detroit Tigers. He passed away in 1999.

MARYLAND: MORGAN WOOTTEN 

Surely in some future dictionary the words "Morgan Wootten" and "legend" will be synonymous. Coach Wootten, who coached at Hyattsville (MD) DeMatha High School from 1956-2003, won consensus national championships in 1962, 1965, 1968 and 1984. In 1984, USA Today named Wootten the National Coach of the Year. He owns the longest contiguous streak of 20-or-more-win seasons (42), and in 2000 became the first basketball coach at any level (high school, college or pro) to reach the 1,200-win mark. Under his guidance, DeMatha won 31 conference titles, and produced more than 150 college players--a dozen of whom went on to play in the NBA. Coach Wootten is a charter member of the Washington, D.C. Basketball Hall of Fame, was chosen by Sports Illustrated as one of "the 50 greatest sports figures of the 20th century" from Maryland, and was honored as Coach of the Century in 2000 by the Naismith Foundation, the same year he was inducted into the National Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass. In recognition of his classroom skills, the Walt Disney Company named Wootten Outstanding Teacher of the Year in 1990.--selected by the Maryland Football Coaches Association

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MASSACHUSETTS: JOHN LEE

When John Lee arrived at Walpole High (Walpole, MA) in 1968, the football program was in a state of disarray. A firm disciplinarian who firmly believed that no glory would come on the gridiron without nine solid months in the weight room, Walpole's turnaround upon Coach Lee's arrival was almost immediate. Walpole went .500 during Coach Lee's first year, and quickly established itself as one of the premier prep programs in the Bay State. During Coach Lee's last four years (1988-92), the Rebels owned a 37-game winning streak. After the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association kicked off its Super Bowl system in 1972, Walpole won the Bay State Conference 11 times, and under Coach Lee's stewardship, the Rebels reached the Bay State Super Bowl six times, capturing the championship four times. He is a member of the Massachusetts Football Coaches Hall of Fame, as well as the Memphis University Hall of Fame, his alma mater, where he played and coached.

MICHIGAN: LOFTEN GREENE

Coach Greene was hired at River Rouge in 1943. By the time he retired 41 years later, he had taken a basketball in disarray and transformed it into a veritable dynasty, leading the River Rouge High Panthers to 12 Class B MHSAA titles between 1954 and 1972. In an era where racial segregation remained rampant nationally, Greene, a white coach, was successful mentoring primarily African-American student-athletes, many of whom went on to play in college, earn their degrees, and return to River Rouge to honor Coach Greene as part of the MHSAA's "Legend of the Games" program in 2002. Greene passed away in July 2003 at the age of 84.--selected by the Michigan High School Coaches Association

MINNESOTA: WILLARD IKOLA

As head ice hockey coach at Edina (MN) High, Ikola compiled a 616-149-38 record between 1958 and 1991. Ikola's teams won 22 Classic Lake Conference championships, 19 section titles and eight state championships. Fifteen of his teams won more than 20 games, and only one team--his first--had a losing record. A star in his own right, Ikola led the University of Michigan to two NCAA championships as a goalie, then was a key member of the 1956 U.S. Winter Olympic hockey team, which won the silver medal in Cortina, Italy.--selected by the Minnesota High School Coaches Association

MISSISSIPPI: JIM DREWRY

If longevity counts as a factor in determining the level of a coach's ultimate achievement, Jim Drewry goes to the head of the class. Entering the 2006 season, Coach Drewry had a 313-142-5 record, while earning three state championships at Booneville (MS) High. At age 75, Drewry is the only active coach in the MHSAA with 300 career wins. He has served two stints at both Booneville (1965-77; 1990-present) and Kossuth High (1958-59; 1978-86), as well as one term at Tishomingo High (in 1989).--selected by the Mississippi Association of Coaches

MISSOURI: JOE BILL DIXON

Joe Bill Dixon has been the boys' cross-country coach at West Plains (MO) High for the past 29 years and the girls' team for 24 years. His boys' teams have won 339 of their 389 meets, including 29 district, 23 sectional and 12 state team titles, producing seven individual state champs. On the distaff side, Dixon's teams have won 180 of their 221 meets, including 22 district, 18 sectional and 9 state titles with three individual state champions. For his accomplishments, Dixon has been elected into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, the Missouri Track and Cross-Country Coaches Hall of Fame, and the NFHS Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

MONTANA: SWEDE DAHLBERG

A legend at Butte High School (Butte, MT), Swede Dahlberg coached the Bulldogs from 1922 to 1966. He coached track and field all of those years, was head football coach for 34 years, and head basketball coach for 30. His teams won 29 state championships: 12 in track and field, 10 in football, six in basketball and one in cross-country. He is an inductee in the Montana Coaches Association Hall of Fame, the National High School Sports Hall of Fame, the Butte Sports Hall of Fame and the NHSACA Hall of Fame.--selected by the Montana Coaches Association

NEBRASKA: BOB SCHNITZLER

For 39 years, Bob Schnitzler served as football, girls' basketball, boys' basketball and boys' track and field coach, as well as athletic director at Battle Creek (NE) High. Between 1962 and 2000, his football teams compiled a 293-89-7 record, including four state titles and five years as state runners-up. As a girls' basketball coach (1974-2000), his teams were 485-83, including eight district championships, five state titles and three years as state runners-up. In four years as boys' basketball coach, his teams won two district titles, one state championship and were runners-up once. As boys' track and field coach (1967-2000), his teams won 19 district titles, four state championships and were runners-up once. He was honored by the National Federation as Boys' Track Coach of the Year in 2001, and earned the highest award (Level IV) given by the Nabraska Coaches Association in football, girls' basketball and track and field. Coach Schnitzler retired from coaching this past year after 42 years.--selected by the Nebraska Coaches Association

NEVADA: JOE SELLERS

Coach Sellers has nine state football championships under his belt: seven at Wooster High and two at Bishop Manogue--both in Reno. He is the winningest high school football coach in Nevada history, with 250 wins (vs. just 45 losses). He has been a teacher, administrator, coach and athletic director for over 30 years. He has coached four different sports at the varsity level (wrestling, baseball, softball and football) at four different high schools (Hug High School, also in Reno, then 25 years at Wooster and currently at Bishop Manogue, where he is football coach and A.D.). Coach Sellers was inducted into the National High School Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame in 2003.

NEW HAMPSHIRE: DAVID PINKHAM

As Gilford High (Gilford, NH) boys' soccer coach from 1977 to the present, Coach Pinkham's teams have compiled an overall 542-38-20 record (.886), including 27 appearances in the NHIAA tournament, 20 appearances in the finals (with 13 state championships), and 24 appearances in the semi-finals. His teams hold National Federation records for most consecutive championships (10, from 1987-96), most consecutive games without a loss (133, from 1990-97) and fewest goals allowed in a season (one in 1999). In addition, he served as boys' tennis coach for 19 years (1978-96), compiling an overall record of 239-55 (.813) with four state titles in nine final appearances. He is a member of the Halls of Fame with the New Hampshire Soccer Association, the New Hampshire Soccer Coaches Association and the New Hampshire Coaches Association.

NEW JERSEY: GARY WAYNE KEHLER

While Kehler served 12 years as athletic director at Westfield High School (Westfield, NJ), it was on the sidelines that he made his biggest impact. A coach in three sports--football, wrestling and golf--Coach Kehler had a superb record in each. In 22 years as a football coach at Westfield, Kehler's team had an overall record of 172-26-7, including nine unbeaten seasons, 17 conference titles and nine state championships. In 24 years as a wrestling coach, the Blue Devils combined a 232-37-10 record, with 14 conference and 16 state district titles. And as a golf coach, Kehler posted a record of 324-40-6 over a 25-year period. Kehler is a member of the NJSIAA Golf Committee and a participant in the Ad Hoc Football Clinic. In 2005, Westfield High honored Coach Kehler by naming the school's football stadium named after him.

NEW MEXICO: RALPH TASKER

In 52 years of coaching high school basketball, Coach Tasker became the third-winningest high school basketball coach in America with a 1,122-291 record. His teams won 12 state basketball championships (one with Lovington, 11 with Hobbs). He was named National High School Basketball Coach of the Year in 1969 by the National High School Coaches Association, and then again in 1980 by the National Sports News Service. In 1991, he was named the National Athletic Coach of the Year in the prestigious Disney National Teacher Awards program. Inducted into the New Mexico High School Coaches Association Hall of Honor in 1989, Coach Tasker passed away in 1999 at the age of 80.--selected by the New Mexico High School Coaches Association

NEW YORK: JACK CURRAN

After taking over the basketball reigns at Archbishop Molloy (Briarwood, Queens, NY) in 1958 from the legendary Lou Carnesecca, Coach Curran became a legend on his own, leading the Stanners to more than 850 wins and five New York City championships. In addition, he has directed the Molloy baseball team to more than 1,300 wins and 17 Catholic High School Athletic Association titles. A bonafide New York institution, he has garnered many accolades over the past 48 years, including the New York State Basketball Hall of Fame, the Basketball Oldtimers of America Hall of Fame, and the New York CHSAA Hall of Fame. In addition, he was named National Coach of the Year in both baseball (1988) and basketball (1989-90).--selected by the New York State Coaches Association

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NORTH CAROLINA: BOB JAMIESON

A veritable "Jack of all trades," Coach Jamieson became head football coach at Greensboro High School (now Greensboro Grimsley) in 1933, leading the team to seven state titles between 1933 and 1960 with an overall record of 240-125-15. In addition, he also coached three state championship basketball teams, compiling an overall record of 618-271. Coach Jamieson coached four state championship golf teams. Founded the North Carolina Coaches Association, the NC Athletic Director's Association, and hired the first on-staff athletic trainer in a North Carolina high school. A charter member of the NCHSAA Hall of Fame, in 1990, Coach Jamieson was inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame. He passed away in 1993 at the age of 83.--selected by the North Carolina Coaches Association

NORTH DAKOTA: SID CICHY

Coach Cichy led Sacred Heart Academy/Shanley High School (Fargo, ND) to a 231-28-7 football record over 30 years. During that time, his team held the nation's longest winning streak (59 games), and had 11 undefeated seasons as well as 16 state titles. He was named Associated Press Coach of the Year in 1950, and in 1961 was given the Freedom Foundation Award for excellence in teaching. In 1975, Coach Cichy was named National High School Coach of the Year, and in 1984 was inducted into the National High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame. He passed away on January 7, 2005.--selected by the North Dakota Coaches Association

OHIO: PAUL WALKER

Coach Walker is the winningest coach in Ohio prep basketball history, with a 695-169 record in 41 years. Starting in 1935, he spent one year at Hardinsburg (KY), five at Anchorage (KY), and one at Portsmouth (OH), before moving to Middletown (OH), where he became a legend. Known as much for his white socks as his "Ws," his team played relentless man-to-man defense and a controlled half-court offensive game. He led Middletown to a staterecord 76 consecutive victories (from 1955 to 1958), was named Ohio High School Coach of the Year three times, and National Coach of the Year by the National Athletic Coaches Association in 1973-74. He passed away on July 13, 1999, at the age of 88.

OKLAHOMA: ELVAN GEORGE

At about the same time as Bud Wilkinson was creating the Oklahoma football dynasty, Coach George was doing the same at Ada High School, leading the Cougars to six state championships in seven years. Overall, in 13 years at Ada, he went 161-48-8. Then, in 1959, he took over the head football coaching position at East Central University in Ada, guiding the Tigers to four consecutive Oklahoma Collegiate Conference titles. In the legendary annals of Oklahoma football, he remains as one of the great innovators. His books, Split-T in High School Football and Weight Training for Football are still keys to any football coach's library.--selected by the Oklahoma Coaches Association

OREGON: FRED SPIEGELBERG

Throughout his 31 years as coach at Medford High, Coach Spiegelberg was one of the most renowned high school coaches ever in Oregon football. He led the Black Tornadoes to state titles in 1959, 1962, 1969 and 1977, and finished his career with a 253-62-10 record. He was named National High School Football Coach of the Year in 1971, and was inducted into the National High School Athletic Association Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 1990. Coach Spiegelberg passed away in 1996.--selected by the Oregon Athletic Coaches Association

PENNSYLVANIA: SPEEDY MORRIS

Coach Morris compiled a 777-332 record during his accomplished 37-year career as a basketball coach. He began his career at Roman Catholic High (Philadelphia), where he revitalized a sagging program that had not won a Catholic League championship or made the state playoffs in 20 years. In 14 seasons at Roman Catholic, his teams had a winning percentage of .810, including eight Southern Division and six Catholic League championships. At his next stop, Penn Charter, his team went 41-17 during his tenure, including its first league championship in 12 years. Morris next coached the LaSalle U. women's basketball team for 15 years and in 1986 became the men's head coach, guiding the Explorers to four consecutive postseason appearances, and becoming only the third coach in NCAA history to win 100 or more games in his first four seasons. During his 15 seasons he became the winningest men's coach in school history. After returning to the prep ranks, Coach Morris led St. Joseph's Prep School to a 107-17 four-year record, including four Southern Division and two Catholic League titles.

RHODE ISLAND: BILL BELISLE

Coach Belisle enters his 32nd year as head hockey coach at Mount St. Charles Academy (Woonsocket, RI) as the winningest high school hockey coach in the U.S., with 789 career victories. A dominant program? His teams won 26 straight state titles between the 1977-78 and 2003-04 seasons--a national record. Twenty of his players have been selected in the National Hockey League draft, and two of the four Americans that have been selected No. 1 overall (Brian Lawton in 1983 and Byron Berard in 1995) have played for Belisle at Mount St. Charles. Overall, Coach Belisle's winning percentage is .846.

SOUTH CAROLINA: JOHN McKISSICK

Coach McKissick, the legendary football coach at Summerville High (Summerville, SC), is the all-time leader in career wins by a high school football coach with 542. Now 80 years old, Coach McKissick has roamed the sidelines for 54 years--all at Summerville--where he has affected the lives of over 3,000 young men spanning three generations. Excellence has always been Coach McKissick's calling card, boasting 10 state championships and 26 regional titles. This year, McKissick once again led the Green Wave to a special season, winning 12 straight before bowing to Dutch Fork in the Division 1-4A state quarterfinals. Named National High School Football Coach of the Year in 1980, 1994 and 2003, Coach McKissick was inducted into the National High School Hall of Fame in 1990.--selected by the South Carolina Athletic Coaches Association

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SOUTH DAKOTA: MAX HAWK

In his 38 years of coaching at Scotland (SD) High (1957-65) and Yankton High (1965-1995), Coach Hawk is the winningest football coach in South Dakota history, with a 284-78-2 record, including 18 conference championships and 10 state titles. A five-time South Dakota Football Coach of the Year, he was named the National High School Athletic Coaches Association (NHSACA) Football Coach of the Year in 1986. Coach Hawk served as president of the NHSACA in 1980, and was elected to the NHSACA Hall of Fame in 1980. He is also a member of the South Dakota High School Coaches Association, and has been inducted into the Northern State University and Yankton High Halls of Fame. He also had a distinguished run as assistant track coach in charge of throws, developing 25 state champions in the shot put and discus, and 23 runners-up.--selected by the South Dakota High School Coaches Association

TENNESSEE: BOYCE SMITH

Coach Smith ranks among the greatest all-time prep football coaches, with a lifetime record of 288-116-34 at Springfield (TN) High School spanning 44 years (1928-1972). Between 1935 and 1943, Coach Smith produced six undefeated teams, and led the Yellow Jackets to 14 bowl appearances, with a 10-1-3 record. When he hung up the whistle after 44 years roaming the sidelines, Springfield High dedicated its football field in Coach Smith's name. In 1980, he was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, and in 1983, into the NFHS Hall of Fame.--selected by the Tennessee Athletic Coaches Association

TEXAS: GORDON WOOD

Coach Wood, who owns nine state championships, was at one time the winningest high school coach in the nation. Between 1940 and 1985, he coached at eight schools and combined an overall record of 396-91-15. Of all his stops, he had the most success at Brownwood High (Brownwood, TX), where his teams won seven titles in 26 years, and went a cumulative 257-52-7, reaching the playoffs 19 times and suffering nary a losing season. He also coached at Roscoe from 1945 to 1946, Seminole from 1947 to 1949, Winters in 1950, and Stamford from 1951-57. His Stamford teams went 80-6, winning two state championships. A member of the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame and the National High School Hall of Fame, Coach Wood was named National High School Football Coach of the Year in 1979.--selected by the Texas High School Coaches Association

UTAH: WILBUR BRAITHWAITE

Even though he was offered a teaching and coaching position at Utah State, Coach Braithwaite kept a vow he had made to the superintendent of the Manti school system to return to his birthplace and alma mater, Manti (UT) High, and coach basketball. In 37 seasons, his teams garnered a 534-267 overall record, winning one state championship and finishing second three times. He was also a superlative tennis coach, with a dual-meet record of 190-21 and 11 state titles. Coach Braithwaite also is a charter member of the National Federation Coaches Association Publications Committee, which publishes the NFHS Coaches' Quarterly. A 1989 inductee to the NFHS National High School Hall of Fame, Braithwaite was the 2006 recipient of the NFHS Award of Merit.

VERMONT: BILL O'NEIL

While at Northwood School (Lake Placid, NY) from 1965-72, Coach O'Neil coached the varsity baseball, soccer and hockey teams, as well as the JV soccer and hockey squads. But it was at Essex High (Essex Junction, VT) that he made a name for himself. As the varsity girls' soccer coach from 1979 to the present, his teams have a cumulative 288-117-37 record, including nine state championship appearances and five state titles. He was named Vermont girls' soccer Coach of the Year in 1984 and 1994. As varsity boys' hockey coach from 1973 to the present, Coach O'Neil's record is 452-249-16. His teams have reached the state Final Four 15 times, emerging as state champs 11 times. He has been selected Vermont hockey Coach of the Year twice (1980 and 2004), and Hockey Night in Boston Coach of the Year nine times. He has also been a superlative softball coach, in 1979, then again from 1992 to the present, with a cumulative record of 149-117. His softball teams have been four-time Final Four participants, and O'Neil has been named Vermont softball Coach of the Year in 1999, 2001 and 2004.

VIRGINIA: MIKE SMITH

Under Coach Smith's tutelage, Hampton High (Hampton, VA) has become the most successful football program in state history. During his 36 years at the helm, Smith has led the Crabbers to 12 state championships, with a cumulative record of 385-53-2 for an overall .879 winning percentage. The all-time active wins leader among Virginia high school football coaches, Coach Smith serves as Executive Director for the Virginia High School Coaches Association, which selected him for this award.

WASHINGTON: SID OTTON

Coach Otton has coached high school football in Washington for 39 years, the past 33 at Tumwater High (Tumwater, WA). Washington's all-time winningest coach, his career record stands at 289-115 with 17 league championships, 19 state playoff appearances and five state titles. In 2006, he led the Thunderbirds to an 11-2 record and a spot in the state semi-finals. He was named 2006 Washington State Coach of the Year by the National Federation and is the 2006 winner of the AFCA Power of Influence Award.

WEST VIRGINIA: JEROME R. VAN METER

Coach Van Meter was the head coach at Point Pleasant (WV) from 1922-28 before moving to Woodrow Wilson High (Beckley, WV), where he coached the boys' basketball and football teams until 1958. In football, his teams compiled a 222-93-14 record, including three state championships. In boys' basketball, his record was a cumulative 647-232 with six state titles, including four straight between 1951 and 1954. A member of the National High School Sports Hall of Fame, Coach Van Meter passed away in 2003 at the age of 102.

WISCONSIN: JOHN HOCH

Lancaster (WI) High head football coach since 1982, Hoch has led the Flying Arrows to 10 conference championships, four Division IV state championships and two Division V state crowns. In addition, the Flying Arrows have been state runners-up three times. He has been named Conference Coach of the Year nine times, District Coach of the Year thrice, as well as National Federation Section IV and National Coach of the Year in 2002. He was also named Associated Press and Wisconsin Football Coaches Association Coach of the Year in 2001. His overall record stands at 196-79-0, with a conference record of 110-46-0. Coach Hoch was inducted into the Hall of Fame at his alma mater, the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, in 2003.--selected by the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association

WYOMING: STEVE MISCHKE

Coach Mischke began the cross-country program at Lyons (WY) High and also served as varsity basketball and track coach. He was selected as 3A Boys' Basketball Coach of the Year in 1997 amd 3A Boys' Track & Field Coach of the Year in 2000. He also launched the annual Wyoming Coaches Track & Field Camps. Coach Mischke has been a head or assistant coach on 22 conference, regional, and district championships teams, 22 state champions and four state runners-up. He is a member of the Wyoming Coaches' Association Hall of Fame and is Executive Secretary of the Wyoming Coaches' Association.--selected by the Wyoming Coaches Association

--Compiled by Bob Phillips