Despite having already been eliminated from playoff contention, Nature Coast Tech and Head Coach Charles Liggett refused to quit last Friday against Springstead High School, defeating their previously-undefeated 6A District 6 rival, 14-7.
As a result, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers named Liggett their High School Coach of the Week for Week 10 of the 2012 season.
Coincidentally, Liggett joined the Buccaneers 2012 Coach of the Week fraternity by defeating the winner from Week 2, Springstead's Bill Vonada.
"When I found that out I thought, 'Wow, that's interesting,'" Liggett said. "It's a big deal when you can be successful against someone you think highly of."
On Thursday, Liggett was invited to One Buccaneer Place where he was joined by Nature Coast Tech players Josh Benyola and Matt Breida and assistant coach Robert Kazmeir. The group enjoyed a tour of the Buccaneers' state-of-the-art training facility and was invited to watch the team practice. During the visit, they were greeted and congratulated by Head Coach Greg Schiano, who presented Liggett with a Coach of the Week certificate, an embroidered hat and a $1,000 donation towards the school's football program.
Liggett has been making an impact on the lives of student-athletes at Nature Coast Tech for nearly a decade. Benyola says his head coach has helped him develop a winning mindset both on and off the field.
"He doesn't know he taught me this, but he taught me to not take no for an answer," Benyola said. "If you want something bad enough, you can do it."
The Buccaneers have honored 10 high school coaches from Central Florida during this year's prep football season. A Coach of the Year, who receives an additional $1,000 for his football program, will be selected from the 10 weekly winners at the end of this season. The Buccaneers and the National Football League's Coach of the Week program aids in the development of youth football, which has a positive influence on young athletes and the communities in which they live.
