In the 1990’s, the MIAA recognized that a number of coaches working with high school athletes had little or no training in how to provide a safe, organized learning experience for their athletes. Many new coaches had played the sport they coached but did not understand that academics and sports need to work together to provide young men and women with the skills necessary to be good citizens and future leaders. As a result, the MIAA Board of Directors selected the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Coaches’ Education Program to assist in training high school coaches.
The implementation of a professional development system has helped schools to ensure the quality of coaches by improving their knowledge and experience. With the proper education, schools can feel confident that their coaches are purposely teaching, mentoring and modeling the positive attributes of sport while also being recognized as professionals by athletes, parents and the community.
33. Coaches’ Education
All coaches hired prior to August 1, 1998 are exempt from taking the Fundamentals of Coaching Course. Coaches hired after 8/1/98 and before 7/1/05 must complete the NFHS Fundamentals of Coaching Course with the exception of Certified MA teachers.
All MIAA member school coaches (stipend or volunteer) are required to take annually the online National Federation Concussion Course, or other MA Department of Public Health recognized education program, prior to the start of their season. Rugby Coaches must see Rule 76.2 for additional coaches’ education information.
All coaches (stipend or volunteer) first serving as an interscholastic coach after July 1, 2005 must complete the National Federation of High Schools, NFHS Fundamentals of Coaching Course taught by an MIAA Instructor, (must be passed prior to coaching a second year) and an approved Sports First Aid course (NFHS, American Red Cross or American Heart Assoc. and must be passed prior to coaching a third year).
All coaches (stipend or volunteer) first serving as an interscholastic coach after July 1, 2007 must complete the NFHS Fundamentals of Coaching Course, an approved Sports First Aid course and the NFHS Sport Specific Technical and Tactical Skills Course in the sport they are coaching (must be completed prior to coaching a third year). Note: The sport-specific requirement began on July 1, 2007 or when each particular sport-specific course becomes available, if after this date.
NFHS Sport Specific Technical and Tactical Skills Courses presently available: Baseball, Basketball, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Wrestling, Volleyball, Cheer & Dance, and Track and Field.
The NFHS Fundamentals of Coaching Course requirement must be met through attending an MIAA sponsored Fundamentals of Coaching Class with MIAA Certified Instructors. I MIAA Handbook July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2023
The NFHS Sports First Aid and Sport Specific requirement may be met by completing on-line courses with the NFHS http://www.nfhslearn.com.
AED training for all coaches is required. Coaches will be trained on symptoms of cardiac events in student-athletes. This training will be done in conjunction with the existing mandated CPR training which is a State Law for all coaches.
Virtual Workshops are the only option as of this date (1/13/22)
Please check our Conference Page for classes.
The following three items in the following order MUST be completed to gain Coaches Education Certification:
1) Complete the two-part MIAA virtual workshop for coaches to fulfill the requirements of MIAA Handbook Rule 33 (Coaches’ Education). Through this virtual format, the NFHS Fundamentals of Coaching Course will be presented by MIAA Certified Coaches’ Education Instructors.
2) Complete the NFHS Fundamental of Coaching Blended Course. This link will be provided at the conclusion of the instructor led MIAA Coaches Education workshop.
3) State Examinations are required to complete the Coaches Education certification. This information will be provided at the conclusion of the MIAA instructor led Coaches Education workshop.
Please Note:
Any questions, please call Donna Harrington 508-541-9804 or email dharrington@miaa.net
MIAA Coach of the Year Award
“Recognizing Excellence in Character, Achievement and Coaching”
This award seeks to recognize and honor “teacher coaches” who have had an impact on the lives of student-athletes, by encouraging them to succeed and by helping them develop self-confidence, ambition, a sound work ethic, and other skills or values necessary or helpful for success in their later lives. Award candidates should have a record of encouraging student-athletes to be well-rounded (i.e. displaying excellence in areas of scholarship, citizenship, fine arts, etc.), as well as a reputation, among their peers and the athletic community, for fair play, good sportsmanship, and the development of these attributes in their student-athletes.
2020-2021 MIAA Coach of the Year
2019-2020 MIAA Coach of the Year
2018-2019 MIAA Coach of the Year
2017-2018 MIAA Coach of the Year
2016-2017 MIAA Coach of the year
2015-2016 MIAA Coach of the Year
2014-2015 MIAA Coach of the Year
2013-2014 MIAA Coach of the Year
2012-2013 MIAA Coach of the Year
NFHS Sectional and National Coach of the Year
“In grateful appreciation of outstanding service and unselfish devotion to interscholastic athletics.”
The NFHS Sectional and National Coach of the Year Award Program recognizes active coaches in the top ten participated boys and girls sports, in the Spirit category and in two “Other” categories (one for boys and one for girls.) Coaches must be nominated by a NFHS member state association. A coach does not have to be a current member of the NFHS Coaches Association to be selected, but will be invited to join. A coach may be nominated for only one sport per year.
2020
Andrew Mackay, Football, Ashland HS
Mary O’Brien, Boys Golf, Weston HS
2019
Patrick Mahoney, Boys Cross Country, Masconomet Regional HS
2018
Ben Benoit, Boys Cross Country, Francis W. Parker Charter Essential School
Robert Bilsbury, Boys Tennis, Manchester-Essex Regional HS
Robert Boen, Boys Basketball, Brockton HS
Adam Cole, Boys Swimming & Diving, Needham HS
Bill O’Connell, Baseball, Braintree HS
James Pignato, Girls Swimming & Diving, Nantucket HS
2017
Jim Hoar, Girls Cross Country, Dennis-Yarmouth Reg. HS
Caitlin Klick-McHugh, Girls Swimming & Diving, Westford Academy
Jeff Johnson, Boys Swimming & Diving, Acton-Boxborough Regional HS
John LeVangie, Girls Basketball, Cohasset Middle-High School
Sara (Gigi) Meehan, Girls Tennis, Cohasset Middle-High School
Timothy Morris, Football, Melrose HS
2016
Ian Doreian, Boys Soccer, John D. O’Bryant School of Math & Science
Roger Fuller, Boys Indoor Track & Field, Methuen HS
David Reid, Softball, Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical HS
Brad Simpson, Boys Basketball, Wakefiled HS
Barbara Toohey, Girls Swimming & Diving, Hanover HS
2012
Edward Scollan, Boys Basketball, Westford Academy
Kim Penney, Girls Basketball, Reading Memorial HS
Phil Maia, Cross Country, Lowell HS
David Gianferante, Girls Golf, Notre Dame Academy
Fred Jewett, Indoor Track & Field, Hingham HS
Michael Foley, Swimming & Diving, Framingham HS
2011
William Cannon, Girls Basketball, Norfolk County Agricultural HS
David Maimaron, Football, Duxbury HS
Steve Sawyer, Track & Field, Hamilton-Wenham Regional HS
Judy Katalina, Girls Volleyball, Lindoln-Sudbury Regional HS
2020
Douglas Chapman, Boys Tennis, Somerset Berkley HS
Stephen Estelle, Girls Soccer, Gateway HS
2019
Dick Bliss, Golf, Hopkinton HS
2017
John Todd, Boys Lacrosse, Hingham HS
2016
George McCabe, Jr., Outdoor Track & Field, East Bridgewater Jr/Sr HS
2014
Claude Valle, Boys Swimming & Diving, Weston HS
Roger Lauzon, Golf, Lynnfield HS
2013
Rick Kates, Girls Outdoor Track & Field, Notre Dame Academy
2012
Frank Carey, Baseball, North Reading HS
Jack Stoddard, Boys Golf, Duxbury HS
2003
William Snow, Boys Soccer
2002
Douglas Freeman, Girls Soccer
2000
Eileen Donahue, Field Hockey
1997
Philip Tomkiel, Wrestling
1996
Bob Asquith, Girls Swimming & Diving
Harold Croft, Boys Track & Field
Peter Foley, Boys Swimming & Diving
1994
Don Brock, Boys Soccer
1993
Marie Butera, Field Hockey
1991
William Tighe, Football
1990
Foster Cass, Boys Soccer
M: 508-541-7997
F: 508-541-9838
miaa@miaa.net
33 Forge Parkway
Franklin, MA 02038