Waynee McGowan, who served as interim coach of the Caldwell County football team, was named the Western Kentucky Conference Football Coach of the Year Wednesday at the annual WKC Banquet.
Waynee McGowan, who served as interim coach of the Caldwell County football team, was named the Western Kentucky Conference Football Coach of the Year Wednesday at the annual WKC Banquet.
McGowan was named the interim coach of the Tigers after long-time coach David Barnes collapsed following Caldwell’s final preseason scrimmage and died from complications due to Parkinson’s Disease.
McGowan, who served on Barnes’ staff as an assistant coach, called Barnes a mentor, leader, coach, school leader, and community leader after accepting the award. The award was voted on by the WKC coaches.
Caldwell County finished the season with an 8-3 record and was a No. 2 seed in Class 2A, District 1. The Tigers lost to Murray in the first round of the playoffs.
Ballard Memorial Coach Mark Brooks was given the J.O. Lewis Sportsmanship Award by Randy Fox, director of officials for the WKC. The award is voted on by the WKC officials and is given to the coach who demonstrates the most sportsmanship toward officials before, during, and after the games.
Paducah Tilghman Coach Jonathan Smith was given the Joe Russell Distinguished Leadership Award, presented by the WKC officials to the head coach who most exemplifies the three fundamental components of the National Federation Sportsmanship, Ethics, and Integrity and in doing so, has instilled those attitudes in their staff and players.
Russell was a long-time assigning secretary for the WKC.
