An Iowa high school football coach is being honored for his success on and off the field. Aplington-Parkersburg’s Ed Thomas has been selected as the 2005 NFL high school coach of the year. Thomas says it’s not only and honor for him, but all the coaches who have coached with him and the players in the program.
Thomas was nominated by four of his former players who are currently on NFL rosters. They include Detroit Lions defensive end Jared DeVries, Green Bay Packers tackle Aaron Kampman, Jacksonville guard Brad Meester and Kansas City Chiefs center Casey Wiegman. Thomas learned of the nomination last spring when the NFL sent him a questionnaire. He says there are 12 questions, such as his philosophy of coaching, and how he helps players become better young men.
While the award honors him, Thomas says it recognizes the success of the program and the support it receives. He says they don’t talk about winning and losing, they talk about doing things right and stressing the fundamentals. Thomas says if they only teach football, then he has failed, because he says there’s so many things to teach.
As the winner, Thomas will be invited to attend Super Bowl XL (40) in Detroit next month. In 34 years as a head coach Thomas has compiled a 249 and 58 record which includes two state championships and 15 district or conference titles.