Seminole High School Head Coach Sam Roper is named High School Coach of the Week
He has mentored countless young men and groomed a number of future coaches since taking his first and only head coaching position in 1985. He's won scores of games, led his team to an undefeated regular season and even founded the Pinellas All-Star Football Classic.
So it's no surprise that, on Wednesday, October 9, Coach Sam Roper of Seminole High School was recognized by the NFL and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for his efforts and named the Buccaneers "Coach of the Week."
At a ceremony on the practice field at One Buccaneer Place on Wednesday, Coach Roper was presented with a framed "Coach of the Week" certificate, signed by NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, General Manager Rich McKay and Coach Gruden, along with a "Coach of the Week" hat and a football autographed by Gruden.
"It's really exciting," said Coach Roper. "I've been coaching for thirty years and you have a lot of things that happen to you along the way, but this would go down as a highlight moment. Having known Coach Gruden earlier, having met him when he first started in Green Bay, this was kind of special."
Coach Roper has coached Seminole High to playoff appearances in 1999, 2000 and 2001 and led the team to their only undefeated regular season in 2000. The Warhawks were also the 2000 and 2001 District Champions, reaching the Regional Finals both years, and are 5-0 this season and ranked in the Top 10 in state.
In addition to the certificate, hat and ball, Coach Roper will also receive a $1,000 donation to his Terrier 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.
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.
