Zephyrhills High School's Tom Fisher has led his team to a 6-1 record this season
Last January, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Head Coach Jon Gruden reached the pinnacle of his profession, leading his team to a Super Bowl Championship. It was a remarkable accomplishment, but one Gruden knows wouldn't have been possible without the support of the team's ownership, the Glazer Family, and General Manager Rich McKay's personnel department.
Gruden isn't the only coach in town who knows the benefits of having strong support from his administration.
On Wednesday at One Buccaneer Place, Zephyrhills High School Head Coach Tom Fisher was named the Buccaneers' "Coach of the Week." While other coaches in his position have brought players or assistant coaches along as guests, Fisher was accompanied by his school principal.
"The support of the administration is extremely important," said Coach Fisher. "As a matter of fact, Principal (Jim) Davis used to be the coach at Zephyrhills High School, before he got into administration, and it helps a lot to have somebody that is one hundred percent behind you."
Given Coach Fisher's 6-1 record this season, 10-1 record last season, and 95-60 record over the last fifteen years, not to mention the quality of players and young men he has produced, it hasn't been hard for Davis to lend his support.
At a ceremony on the practice field, Coach Fisher 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 a football autographed from Gruden and a Buccaneers hat from the team.
In addition to the certificate, hat and ball, Coach Fisher will also receive a $1,000 donation to his Bulldog football program and had the added bonus of watching the Buccaneers' morning practice.
"It's very flattering (to be selected as Coach of the Week)," said Fisher. "There are a lot of good coaches out there and I'm just pleased that there are enough people out there that appreciate what we do as coaches."
If you know a coach that you feel is deserving of being the Buccaneers "Coach of the Week," please a href=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 or her 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.
