2016 ArkansasVarsity.com Football Coaches of the Year
With the end of the 2016 Arkansas high school football season, it is time we name the ArkansasVarsity.com Coach of the Year, Offensive Coordinator of the Year, and Defensive Coordinator of the Year.
COACH OF THE YEAR - BILLY DAWSON - RUSSELLVILLE
The 2016 ArkansasVarsity.com Coach of the Year is Coach Billy Dawson of the Class 6A State Champion Russellville Cyclones.
Coach Dawson led the Cyclones to a 12-1 record, including convincing wins against West Memphis and Benton in the playoffs before leading his team to victory against 6A powerhouse Greenwood in the state championship game, after leading Russellville to a 5-7 record during his first season as head coach.
“This is the first time we have won a state championship is 100 and something years,” Dawson said following the state championship game. “They played their tails off all year and went through a great offseason program, and they gave it their all.”
Dawson has gone 111-22 as a head coach at his last two stops (Nashville and Russellville).
OFF. COORDINATOR OF THE YEAR - ADAM DEPRIEST - SHILOH CHRISTIAN
The 2016 ArkansasVarsity.com Offensive Coordinator of the Year is Coach Adam DePriest from Shiloh Christian.
Coach DePriest helped to lead the Saints to an 11-3 season and a semi-final appearance in the Class 4A state playoffs. The Saints had impressive wins over Little Rock Christian, Pottsville, Heber Springs, and Dardanelle during their 2016 campaign. The Saints averaged 38 points per game in his offense.
DePriest has previous experience as an offensive coordinator at Harrison and Pulaski Academy
DEF. COORDINATOR OF THE YEAR - TODD WOOD - PULASKI ACADEMY
The 2016 ArkansasVarsity.com Defensive Coordinator of the Year is Coach Todd Wood from Pulaski Academy.
Coach Wood’s defense has helped propel Pulaski Academy to three straight Class 5A state titles, and only allowed an average of 19.8 points per game in 2016.
The Bruins 2016 campaign saw impressive victories over Sand Springs, Oklahoma; McCracken County, Kentucky; Little Rock Christian, Batesville, and Wynne in the Class 5A state title game.
Wood’s defenses have been amongst the top in the state over the past five years.
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