After Snider football capped off the regular season with a win at Bishop Luers and clinching a share of the Summit Athletic Conference championship, Panther head coach Kurt Tippmann has been named the Colts/NFL Coach of the Week for the entire state of Indiana.
The Panthers, ranked #5 in the final Associated Press poll and fourth in the final state coaches poll, beat Luers 27-15 in a muddy battle at Luersfield. It is the sixth straigh win for Snider, which is co-champions (with Luers and Carroll) for the first time since 2017.
"I am honored and humbled to be recognized by a huge supporter of Indiana high school football in the Indianapolis Colts," Tippmann tells the Parkview Sports Network. "We're very gracious recipients of the honor on behalf of our entire program, our players and our coaching staff."
The victory over Luers was also Tippmann's 125th career win in his 13th season at his alma mater.
As part of the recognition, Snider High School received a $2,000 donation for the athletic department--$1,000 from the NFL Foundation and $1,000 from CenterPoint Energy. Mike Prior, the Colts Youth Football Commissioner, visited Snider on October 20 to deliver the check.
"It's awesome to see what impact these coaches have on these kids," Prior, a 14-year NFL veteran who played for Indianapolis, Green Bay and Tampa Bay, says. "Not only during their four years of high school, but you see a lot of these kids come back years laters and are great professionals; and they've learned the life skills from these coaches in high school."
Additionally, Tippmann was given an Indianapolis Colts hat and will be recognized with all of the Colts/NFL Coach of the Week winners during the Colts/Patriots game December 19 at Lucas Oil Stadium.
"Without his energy, I don't think we would be who we are," senior safety Quincy Myatt says. "We worked really, really hard to win the SAC. We've talked about it since freshman year. It was a big goal, and I'm glad that we accomplished that."
Snider head coach Kurt Tippmann has won 125 games in 13 seasons leading his alma mater
Each Monday during the season, the Indianapolis Colts name a Coach of the Week from the high school head coaches across the Hoosier State. In addition to team's on-field performance, coaches are evaluated for impact on the team, the school and the community. Winners are chosen by a panel of football media, former athletic directors and other football officials across the state.
Tippmann is the first coach from Northeast Indiana to earn the award this season.
After a 1-1 start, Snider rattled off six-straight wins to finish the regular season 7-1. Now, the Panthers' focus turns to the IHSAA State Tournament. The Panthers play in 5A Sectional 10, and face off against Northrop in the first round Friday, October 29.
Snider is one of 26 high schools that partner with Parkview Sports Medicine for athletic training, nutrition, sports performance, athletic rehab and other sports medicine services for Panther student-athletes. Learn more at www.parkviewsportsmedicine.com.
written & produced by Eric Dutkiewicz