The Carolina Panthers announced the selection of Coach Daniel Finn as the team’s first High School Coach of the Week of the 2015 season. Coach Finn is currently in his second season as the head football coach at South Brunswick High School in Southport.
He’s turned the Cougar program around since inheriting a team that was winless in 2013 and 2-20 the past two years. He rallied his new team to a 3A/4A Mideastern Conference playoff berth and a much improved 4-8 record last year. The Cougars are off to a 2-3 start in 2015, including a win in their home opener.
Off the field, Finn has made a concerted effort to re-engage both the community and school with the South Brunswick football program. He and his staff have established a series of clinics and mini camps to teach the fundamentals of safety and football to middle schools in the Southport community. His newly created tradition of a pre-season team cookout followed by a special invitation to parents to watch practice has strengthened bonds within the team. He also serves as the athletic liaison between South Brunswick coaching staff and the athletic booster club.
During the offseason, Finn remains a steadfast presence as he drives other Cougar athletic teams to their events and assists with gate duties.
In recognition of Finn, the Carolina Panthers Charities will donate $1,000 to South Brunswick High School’s athletic department. The Panthers will honor each of this season’s 10 High School Coach of the Week recipients during an on-field presentation during the Dec. 13 Atlanta Falcons vs. Carolina Panthers game at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. At that time, the 2015 Coach of the Year will be announced and the winning coach will receive an additional $2,000 grant for his school’s athletic department.
