Rose, Matczak Named NFHS National Coaches of the Year
STEVENS POINT, Wis. – Michael Rose of Brookfield East High School and Jeffrey Matczak of Kaukauna High School have been selected as the 2021-22 National Federation of State High School Associations National Coaches of the Year in their respective sports of girls swimming and diving, and boys wrestling.
The two coaches become the 10th and 11th coaches from Wisconsin to receive national recognition since the NFHS implemented the Coach of the Year program in 2001-02. Rose is the first Wisconsin head coach to be honored as the National Coach of the Year twice, also receiving the award in 2019-20.
In his 38 years coaching at Brookfield East, Rose has produced 280 lifetime wins and has been selected Coach of the Year by the Wisconsin Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association three times. The Spartans have participated in 45 State Championship events, and he has guided the development of student-athletes in 63 events earning high school All-American honors.
Rose has led the Spartans to three WIAA State girls team championships (2019-21) and two runner-up finishes (1997, 2022). In addition he guided the boys team to a State title in 1996 and runner-up finishes in 1994, 1995 an 1997
His influence expands into the classroom in his role teaching AP Calculus, tutoring and leading math competitions. He impacts community members of various ages with his work as coach of Elmbrook Swim Club, Westmoor Country Club and the Wisconsin Special Olympics.
Matczak has guided the Kaukauna High School wrestling program for 31 years and is one of the most accomplished coaches in the state and nation, winning more than 500 meets while losing only 59 through the 2021-22 season.
Among the accolades he has received includes being named Wisconsin Coach of the Year in Wisconsin three times, and in 2022, Matczak was named Northeastern Wisconsin USA Today Coach of the Year.
Furthermore, Matczak is an eight-time district coach of the year and has been named Fox Valley Association Coach of the Year 12 times. During his career at Kaukauna, he has also coached baseball and football, and served as athletic director. Matczak is also a leader in the wrestling community as a member of the Wisconsin Wrestling Coaches Association and director of the Kaukauna Wrestling Club.
In addition to the national award recipients, NFHS Section 4 Coach of the Year honorees from Wisconsin include Nick Datka of New Berlin Eisenhower in girls soccer, Timothy Dietzen of Freedom in softball, Jeffrey Frey of Luxemburg-Casco in girls volleyball, Chris Mitchell of Oregon in boys soccer, Katie Moore of Franklin/Muskego in gymnastics and Lee Rabas of Neenah in boys basketball.
The NFHS, which has been recognizing coaches through an awards program since 1982, honors coaches in the top-10 girls sports and top-10 boys sports, based on participation numbers, and in two “other” sports – one for boys and one for girls – that are not included in the top-10 listings. Winners of NFHS awards must be active coaches during the year for which they receive their award. This year’s awards recognize coaches for the 2021-22 school year.
The NFHS receives nominations from its member state associations, which often works with the state coaches’ association in its respective state. The state association then contacts the potential state award recipients to complete a coach profile form that requests information regarding the coach’s record, membership in and affiliation with coaching and other professional organizations, involvement with other school and community activities and programs, and coaching philosophy.
To be approved as an award recipient and considered for sectional and national coach of the year consideration, this profile form must be completed by the coach or designee and then approved by the executive director (or designee) of the state athletic/activities association.
The WIAA, as defined by its Constitution, is a voluntary, unincorporated, and nonprofit organization. The membership oversees interscholastic athletic programs for 518 senior high schools and 48 junior high/middle level schools in its membership. For more information, please contact the WIAA office at (715) 344-8580.
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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]
