Amherst County H.S. Football Coach Honored
The Washington Redskins announced Nov. 11 that head football coach Cecil Phillips of Amherst County High School in Amherst, Va., has been named Redskins High School Coach of the Week for the week of November 2, 2009.
The Redskins High School Coach of the Week program is designed to recognize and reward excellence in high school football coaching.
Coach Phillips has been coaching for 17 years with the last two as head coach at Amherst County. During his coaching career, Phillips has been named the 2006 Southeastern District Coach of the Year, 2008 Region III Division Four Coach of the Year and the 2009 Assistant Coach in the Virginia High School Coaches Association East/West All-Star Game.
Phillips motivates his student-athletes by setting team goals and objectives. He emphasizes the importance of making right decisions and holds them accountable for their actions. Phillips also develops individual action plans for his student-athletes so they can have the opportunity to continue their educational and athletic careers beyond high school.
Off the field, Phillips works closely with local youth football leagues and middle school football programs. He holds coaching clinics for youth football league coaches and organizes skills camps for youth league participants. He also volunteers his time to programs such as Habitat for Humanity and the local food bank.
"Successful head coaches are those that are great planners, manage time wisely, motivate all players and assistant coaches, have the philosophy that you are only as good as your weakest player, truly care for their players and become an acting parent when necessary, and have high expectations for each member of the entire team. Coach Phillips is that coach for us and his work ethic is second to none" said Amherst County Athletic Director William Gouldthorpe.
The Lancers are currently 10-0, hold the 2009 Seminole District Champions title, and ranked #2 in the Maxpreps poll for the state of Virginia.
Each week during the 2009 high school football season, the Redskins will select one area high school head coach as the Redskins High School Coach of the Week. The selection is based on the coach's continuing commitment towards promoting youth football, developing motivated student-athletes, his overall community involvement and overall team performance and record.
Each of the coaches chosen throughout the high school season will receive a $1,000 donation from the NFL Youth Football Fund to their football program and a framed certificate signed by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Redskins head coach Jim Zorn.
