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 – Jason Beckman, Amherst
Amherst coach Jason Beckman has been named the Week 4 Buffalo Bills and ADPRO Sports Coach of the Week for the Buffalo Region.
Beckman, a physical education teacher for 25 years within the Amherst CSD, is in his ninth season as the Tigers head football coach and is in his 25th year coaching high school football. In addition to his duties as head varsity football coach, Beckman has served as the school's bowling coach for 24 years and has been active in his daughter's travel softball team serving as a volunteer coach for the past seven years.
The 2019 season saw two Tigers recognized for their outstanding seasons under Beckman's guidance. Offensive lineman Ryan Bitka was a finalist for the Trench Trophy, which recognizes WNY's top lineman, and was selected as the Amherst Bee Male Athlete of the Year. Ronald McCarley was nominated as one of 10 finalists for the Connolly Cup, which is awarded to WNY's top football player.
During the pandemic, Beckman has stayed connected with his players by hosting weekly virtual workouts which are currently ongoing. To date, over 80 workouts have been conducted.
Beckman is active on the Western New York football scene as he is involved in several local events, including hosting a summer camp for participants in the Williamsville Junior Football league. Coach Beckman has worked closely with Cross Training Athletics on their Character Education Programs and 7- on-7 league and has also been involved with and supported USA Football in their efforts to make the game of football as safe as possible for football players in our community. In 2017, Coach Beckman was recognized by Section VI for his volunteer work for keeping stats at the sectional championship games at Bills Stadium for more than 15 years.
Rochester Region Coach of the Week – Brennan Briggs, Batavia
Brennan Briggs, head coach at Batavia High School, has been named the Week 4 Buffalo Bills and ADPRO Sports Coach of the Week for the Rochester Region.
Briggs, who has taught physical education in the Batavia City School District for 11 years, has coached several sports for the district including JV and varsity football, JV baseball, and JV hockey. Coach Briggs has led the Varsity football team for the past eight seasons, building an outstanding record of 58-21, including four Section V championship titles. The Blue Devils won Section V Class B titles in 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2018 and advanced all the way to the Class B State championship game in 2018.
Under Briggs, the Blue Devils have received the NYSPHSAA Scholar-Athlete team award numerous times and five of his players have been recognized by the National Football Foundation as scholar athletes, receiving one silver and four bronze medals.
Throughout the fall, Briggs has conducted football workouts for over 70 student athletes including a conditioning and skills program held three nights a week. To inject a little fun into the routine, Briggs created a Monday night flag football game that was played under the lights.
Coach Briggs created a program for his football team to help the local Batavia community at beginning of the pandemic. He enlisted his players and coaches to deliver groceries and essential items to those who needed assistance, especially the elderly who might otherwise have trouble getting those necessary items. The team will be continuing this outreach around the Thanksgiving holiday.
In support of youth football in Batavia, Briggs holds a football camp each summer for youth football players in grades 2 through 8. The varsity players and coaches help conduct the camp. In addition, Batavia hosts a "Blue Devil" night each year during which youth football players from the community receive a pep talk from Coach Briggs and have the opportunity to play football with the varsity players at Vandetta Stadium.
