The Buffalo Bills and ADPRO Sports are proud to once again partner to recognize some of the best coaches that Western New York has to offer through the 2020 High School Football Coach of the Week program.
With games not being played in 2020, the Bills are taking this opportunity to recognize the outstanding work that our community's varsity football coaches have done with their programs both on and off the field. We will announce winners from both the Buffalo Region and Rochester Region over the course of eight weeks, with final Coach of the Year winners being announced at halftime of the Bills vs. Dolphins game on Jan. 3, 2021.
Winners will be selected by a panel of local high school football experts based on nominations which include information on the coach's commitment to their community and school, team academic performance, team off-the-field community service, coach/team support of youth football in their community, and health and safety protocols for their players.
Each winning Coach of the Week will receive a $700 grant from the Buffalo Bills and a $1,000 merchandise credit to ADPRO Sports.
Buffalo Region Coach of the Week – Adam Krenning, Albion
Albion coach Adam Krenning has been named the Week 6 Buffalo Bills and ADPRO Sports Coach of the Week for the Buffalo Region.
Krenning has coached in the Albion football program for 15 years, spending the past four years as head varsity coach. Over his four seasons, Krenning increased the enrollment in the program from 21 varsity players to almost 40 players. In addition to his role as head varsity coach, Krenning is also the athletic director for the Albion District. Coach Krenning has previously taught agricultural education and was the advisor to the Albion Future Farmers of America for 20 years before taking the position of athletic director. Krenning has a record of 22-4 and has led the Purple Eagles to three straight league championships.
To support his players' academic studies, Coach Krenning started a football study hall held three days a week, significantly improving the team's academic performance over the last three years. Coach Krenning also developed a summer strength and conditioning program for athletes in the Albion athletic program for two hours every day for five weeks. With the preventive workouts, players in football and other sports have seen a decrease in student-athlete injuries. All coaches in the football program are USA Football certified every year and spend countless hours on developing tackling techniques to keep their student-athletes safe.
Coach Krenning has worked alongside the Albion Youth football team for the past three seasons to support their organization. He has hosted camps for youth players in the Albion area that are run by his coaching staff and has provided the opportunity for youth players to attend the varsity games. In addition, the Albion varsity football players have volunteered to help the players at the youth level refine their skills.
In addition to his work with youth football teams, Krenning is also actively involved with the local agricultural community. Every December, Krenning leads a group of local agriculture businesses as they collect local produce, which is donated to Orleans Community Action. Last year, over 800 families were helped during the holiday season, in addition to local soup kitchens that received much-needed fresh and healthy food. This year, Krenning's group collected over 50,000 pounds of food.
Krenning has also developed a Big Brother initiative for the Albion football program, where a varsity football player is paired with a middle school football player. The varsity players help the younger players with schoolwork, emotional support, and any needs the younger player may have. With this program, the middle school football players have seen an increase in student attendance and GPA while seeing a decrease in student referrals.
Rochester Region Coach of the Week - Keith Molinich, Pittsford
Pittsford coach Keith Molinich has been named the Week 6 Buffalo Bills and ADPRO Sports Coach of the Week for the Rochester Region.
Molinich, who is an alumni of Pittsford High School, has spent 25 years coaching in the Panthers program and has been a school counselor in the Pittsford district during that time period as well. He has led Pittsford as the head varsity football coach for the past 14 years, recording an outstanding win-loss record of 87-35 and winning five league titles. Pittsford has finished the season ranked in the New York state top 20 rankings five times during Molinich's tenure.
In addition to his role with the varsity football team, Coach Molinich has also fostered a solid relationship with the Pittsford youth football organization. He spent seven seasons as a volunteer assistant coach for the youth football program in addition to his varsity responsibilities. Molinich, his coaching staff and their players have provided mentorship to the Pittsford youth program for a number of years and the Pittsford staff runs football camps in the off-season for both youth players and coaches.
Player health and safety is an important element of the Pittsford program. Coach Molinich continues to grow and learn about safety in football and strives to provide a safe and instructional setting for both football practice on the field and weight room work within the Panther program.
In support of the Pittsford community, Coach Molinich and his players join a district-wide event each Spring as they clean yards and property for senior citizens in the area. In the winter, his players shovel driveways and sidewalks if there are seniors who need help. In addition, many Panther football players volunteer to work at the Middle School Activity Night and when the pandemic caused the first shutdown in March, Molinich and his players collected food to donate to the Pittsford Food Cupboard to help families in need.
Coach Molinich commits year - round to his program and models the work ethic needed to be successful in life, to his players which is based on being a servant leader. He has spent a majority of his life giving back to and growing Pittsford football which has led to many successful seasons for the Panthers.
