Dixie Hollins High School's Mike Morey receives his Coach of the Week award from Jon Gruden
As Jon Gruden would be more than happy to tell you, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' success owes a lot to the work of the team's assistant coaches.
Assistants, in fact, are vitally important at every level of football, not just the NFL. This is obviously not lost on Dixie Hollins High School Head Coach Mike Morey, who was named the Buccaneers High School Football "Coach of the Week" on Wednesday. When he arrived at One Buccaneer Place Wednesday to watch practice and receive his award, Hollins had several of his assistants with him to share in the honor.
"They run things," said Coach Morey of his assistants. "My name is in the paper, but they're the guys that get things done. They spend a lot of time breaking down the film, working with the kids, getting them right. If I don't have these guys we wouldn't be where we are right now. They're the key to our success."
Accompanying Morey on his visit to One Buccaneer Place were Linebackers Coach Dusty Boylson, Defensive Coordinator Edwin Bryant, Defensive Backs Coach Shawn Davis and Wide Receivers Coach Mark Howlett.
At a ceremony on the practice field, Coach Morey was presented with a framed "Coach of the Week" certificate, signed by NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, General Manager Rich McKay and Coach Gruden. He also received an football autographed from Gruden and a Buccaneers hat from the team.
Coach Morey is in his 6th year with the Rebels and has led his team to a 4-0 start this season. During their undefeated start, Dixie Hollins has defeated Gibbs, Clearwater, Countryside and East Bay by a combined score of 100-64. This week the Rebels will battle an undefeated Dunedin squad in a tough district game.
"It's great to come out here and watch practice and meet Coach Gruden," said Morey. "It's a really nice honor and I appreciate it."
In addition to the certificate, hat and ball, Coach Morey will also receive a $1,000 donation to his Rebels football program.
If you know a coach that you feel is deserving of being the Buccaneers "Coach of the Week," please click here and submit his or her name, school, county and reason he or she should be selected.
"It definitely makes you feel good," said Coach Morey. "Whenever someone else goes out of their way and does this for you it makes you feel appreciated."
Several factors are taken into account when selecting the Buccaneers Coach of the Week recipient, including the coach's impact on his team, school and community. The program is designed to recognize high school coaches who transform, through their hard work and dedication to young people, the best available athletes into high-potential football players.
All schools in Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Manatee and Sarasota are eligible regardless of size, league or division.
