Secora wins Broyles Award for high school assistant football coach of the year

One of the most popular facilities at Westside high school is the weight room. It helps both girls and boys with their sports performance. The students focus on athletes’ strength, balance, and overall conditioning. All of these things, combined with his hard work and dedication to his craft, are all factors of Westside’s head strength coach Craig Secora being recognized as this year’s recipient of the Broyles Award for High School Assistant Coach of The Year.

“I didn’t know much about the award, but the fact that my peers, administration, and coaches nominated me for the award means a lot,” Secora said. 

Secora is the offensive coordinator for the Westside football team. The Warriors have advanced to the state championship game the past four years, including titles in 2020 and 2022. He has been a coach for close to 14 years at the high school. Secora spent the first five years coaching only freshmen football and then expanding to all of the football program.

This is the first time a Nebraska assistant coach has been awarded this honor, recognizing excellence on and off the field, as well as impact on players and fellow coaches.

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule, along with the Nebraska Coaches Association and Westside athletic director Tom Kerkman, were able to surprise Secora over the phone with his award. 

“It is pretty special for him to take the time out of his day to present the award,” Secora said.

Just like Coach Secora mentors students, he was mentored as well. Along with Secora being mentored by his peers, he also learned from them. The most influential of Secora’s career are former Westside swim coach Doug Krecklow, Scott Grogan, Tom Mueller, Dave Noonan, Neil Chapman, and Westside head football coach Paul Limongi.  If we could be lucky enough to mentor as we were mentored, we would be able to clearly see how full Craig Secora’s life truly is.

“I have learned great things from a lot of great coaches,” Secora said.

Secora’s dynamic for the athletes that he coaches is very competitive. He enjoys challenging and helping his students throughout their high school career. 

“If you always stay ready you don’t have to get ready,” Secora said.

This quote is something that coach Secora always remembers to say to his athletes. He says this because athletes are in and out of their seasons. Coach Secora really enjoys mentoring and coaching his athletes, whether it is sports or not. He also takes a lot of pride in the fact that he contributes to athletes and students’ dreams and futures. Whether in or out of season, student athletes who work with coach Secora are likely to leave a better person.