Derron Thomas named Redskins High School Coach of the Week

LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va. – The Washington Redskins announced today that head football coach Derron Thomas of Largo High School in Upper Marlboro, Md. has been named the Redskins High School Coach of the Week for the week of Oct. 12.

This is Thomas’ third season as head coach at Largo High School. Prior to being Largo’s head varsity football coach, Thomas coached for two years at the junior varsity level. Thomas and the Lions are currently undefeated with a 7 – 0 record. 

Largo Athletic Director Ayana Ball-Ward stated that Coach Thomas is respected within the Largo school community, both by student-athletes and coaches.

“[The players] take Largo football serious because of him,” Ball-Ward said. “[One of his strengths] is that being a younger coach, the students look at him as a big brother.”

In addition to football, Thomas also places emphasis on the importance of grades and community. He has created mandatory study hall hours for his athletes every day, both in and out of football season. Thomas is also involved with the Forestville Boys and Girls Club as well as the Kettering Largo Mitchellville Boys and Girls Club, bringing kids from the two locations out to attend practices and games throughout the season. According to Ball-Ward, Thomas grew up participating in after schools programs with the Boys and Girls Clubs,   increasing his desire to support their programs.

Additional community involvement for Thomas includes the “Stay Focused” free football and enrichment program run in Prince George’s County.

Redskins High School Coach of the Week

The Redskins High School Coach of the Week program is designed to recognize and reward excellence in high school football coaching.

Each week during the 2015 high school football season, the Redskins will select one area high school head football coach as the Redskins High School Coach of the Week. The selection is based on the coach's continuing commitment toward promoting youth football, developing motivated student-athletes, overall community involvement and overall team performance and record.

Each of the coaches chosen throughout the high school season will receive a $1,000 donation from the NFL Foundation to their football program and a framed certificate signed by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Redskins Head Coach Jay Gruden, Redskins President Bruce Allen and General Manager Scot McCloughan.

For more information on the Redskins High School Coach of the Week program or the Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation, visit http://www.redskins.com/community or follow the Foundation on Twitter at @RedskinsCR or on Instagram @redskinsgiveback.