Derek Nash-Burnsville High School

It is my pleasure as last year’s recipient of the MN State High School Coaches Association Coach of the Year Award to get to announce this year’s winner.

The nominees are: Jon McAlpin, Orono. Kelly Flohaug, Centennial. Derek Nash, Burnsville. Jim Peine, Hastings. Zach Wymann, Lakeville South.

As Head Coaches, we get all the glory. We are the first name listed on awards and accolades for our teams. We get first bragging rights when all goes as planned. We are the ones quoted in the paper when there are articles about our team’s successes. But the reality is that there are others who are instrumental in those successes.

One group is the athletes who work so hard and dedicate themselves to a particular sport; if they didn’t sign up we wouldn’t have teams. From those with natural talent to those who have to earn every bit of their ability, our athletes are the reason behind what we do. All coaches know being able to influence young people in a positive way is very rewarding. As head coach, we are the ones who are responsible for creating the program and environment within our sport. This is a daunting task that is not taken on lightly; we take it on with the knowledge that we leave an impact on athlete’s lives. The difference between OK coaches and great coaches is that great coaches do so in a way that makes the athletes’ experiences in sport a positive one, win or lose. This year’s winner has been influencing athletes for many years in a positive way and making skiing a life-long love for them, not just time spent in High School Sports.

Another group is our assistant coaches; without them we would all go crazy. There is too much to take care of for one person. They are our foundation and our support. My dad told me once. “The way to become a great leader is to surround yourself with people that are better and smarter than you. If you are the smartest, best person in the room, your group’s ability is limited to your knowledge. If you have people around you that are better and smarter, they will make you think outside the box and help create an environment in which innovation and creativity are abundant.” I lucked out in the assistant department in that I inherited really great assistants when I took over the Bloomington-Jefferson and Kennedy Programs; they are full of knowledge in areas that I am not. This year’s winner has been running their program long enough that they have gone through several assistants and has always chosen wisely so they were always able to create an environment that lead to many successful race days.

Please join me in congratulating                Derek Nash       on winning the 2011 MN State High School Coaches Association Coach of the Year.

Comments made by 2010 COY Caryn Jones