Baked or Fried? Getting to Know Edgar Football Coach Jerry Sinz

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Edgar (OnFocus) – Difference makers in sports are all around us. Getting to know coaches, athletic directors, and key figures in amateur sports helps us learn about the individuals shaping athletics and making a difference in schools. Area athletes have been under the microscope with the world-famous interview ‘Pancakes or Waffles?’ and now it’s time to add a different lens to sports in central Wisconsin.

With our OnFocus ‘Baked or Fried?’ interview, we take a look at difference makers in central Wisconsin.

We caught up with legendary Edgar Football Coach Jerry Sinz, who has led the Wildcats to seven state titles, to take a deeper look at Sinz, beyond the football field.

Sinz is the first difference maker featured with our in-depth interview, Baked or Fried?, as we ask that world-famous question, and more.

Baked or Fried?  Edgar’s Jerry Sinz

OnFocus: What sports did you play in high school?

Sinz: I played Football, Basketball and ran Track in High School.

OnFocus: How have you been involved in sports in your adult life?

Sinz: I played college football and have been coaching various sports at Edgar High School
since graduating.  I coached JV Basketball for 38 years, Football for 48 years, and also a few years Coaching Track and Baseball, when needed.

OnFocus: What do you enjoy about your involvement in athletics?

Sinz: I enjoy being around young athletes and also my assistant coaches and working
each week on a game plan.  Practice is as much fun as game day.

OnFocus: If there could only be one concession food in the world, what would you want it to be?

Sinz: Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches.

“Amateur sports give young athletes a healthy way to burn off energy and learn team work, discipline, focus and goal setting.  It gives parents a healthy family activity to enjoy with the children and it gives communities a sense of pride to support their home town athletes.” – Edgar Football Coach Jerry Sinz

OnFocus:  What would you do with the money if you won 10 millions dollars in the lottery?

Sinz: I would give most of it away to charity and set up a college fund for each of my
10 Grandchildren.

OnFocus: Is there something most people don’t know about you?

Sinz: I have nearly died of illness and/or accidents several times during my life.

OnFocus: What job did you want when you were growing up?

Sinz: I have always been interested in Teaching and Coaching.  I would have enjoyed
being a College Football Coach.

OnFocus: What do you most enjoy watching on television?

Sinz: The World Series, The NFL Play-Offs & Super Bowl, the NBA Championship,
Major Golf Tournaments like The Masters and TV programs like “Yellowstone.”

OnFocus: How do amateur sports benefit students, parents, and the community?

Sinz: Amateur sports give young athletes a healthy way to burn off energy and learn
team work, discipline, focus and goal setting.  It gives parents a healthy family
activity to enjoy with the children and it gives communities a sense of pride to
support their home town athletes.

OnFocus:  Who was an influential coach that has  made a difference in your life? 

Sinz: I have fashioned my coaching style after many famous coaches.  To list a few:
Vince Lombardi, Woody Hayes, Lew Holtz, Bill Walsh, Pat Riley, Bill Belichick, and
many others.

OnFocus:  How do you unwind and enjoy your free time?

Sinz: For years I attended College football games as my sons played.  I enjoy golfing
in the summer and attending movies in the winter.

OnFocus: What would be an appropriate Super Hero nickname for you, and what would your powers be?

Sinz: No idea on a nickname; but my superpower would be turning shy, unconfident young
athletes into confident leaders who play with enthusiasm and spirit.

OnFocus: Who are your favorite athletes?

Sinz: Favorite athletes are people like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Steve Smith, Larry Bird, J.J. Watt, Michael Jordan, Serena Williams, Jerry Rice, Willie Mays, Tiger Woods, Tom Brady,Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Barry Sanders, Bart Starr, Mike Trout, Shaquille O’Neal, Bill Russell, Kobe Bryant, Jack Nicklaus, etc. No end to this list.

OnFocus: Who is your role model(s)?

Sinz: This list goes on forever as well; Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Michelle Obama, Elon
Musk, Dwayne Johnson, The Dalai Lama, Serena Williams, Oprah Winfrey, Warren Buffett,
John Cena, Peyton Manning, Walter Payton, Pat Tillman, Gale Sayers, Tim Duncan, etc.

OnFocus: Baked or Fried? If you could pick only one, which would it be?

Sinz: Baked!!  Healthier.

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David Keech
Author: David Keech

David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at [email protected]