1969 Niles Football Team

(9-10-23) Niles football had been going through a down period on the field before Hall of Fame Coach Scot Shaw was hired as the new head football coach…he started by first making it a competitive program…to now being a winning program. The Vikings made the playoffs last season and continue to show they have turned the corner.

In the movie ‘Hoosiers’ Coach Norman Dale explained his plan for a successful team –

“I’m gonna break them down and then I’m gonna build them back up.”

Before the long dry spell in football Niles in the 1960’s and 1970’s produced a winning team year after year.

1969 Undefeated 9-0 Team

One year that is talked about and remembered in Niles football history is the undefeated 1969 9-0 team and the Big 6 Conference title.

The Vikings did have a few close calls beating Jackson Lumen Christi 3-0, beating Benton Harbor 7-6 and Dowagiac 16-12.

All pictures are courtesy of the 1970 Niles High ‘Tattler’ Yearbook

The Vikings defense was one of the best in school history…with 4 shut-outs, gave up just 6 points in two games, 12 points twice and just 20 in one game.

Craig Riley (picture above), who was a Junior on the 1969 team, was the first running back in Niles school history to break the 1,000-yard rushing barrier in a season. He earned All-Conference and All-State honors and would go on to play football at Indiana State University.

The late Don Bender, who coached Riley in three sports while at Ring Lardner, said out of all the athletes who ever went through Niles, Craig was one of the five best that he had ever seen-

“He put his heart and soul into everything he did. He was a coach’s dream. He was a perfect gentleman on and off the field and an encouragement to his fellow teammates. “

The late Ed Weede (picture above) took over as the football head coach in 1958. During his 11 years at Niles was 65-32-5, including a perfect 9-0 season in 1969,

Weede would step-down to become the Niles athletic director. Weede would be inducted into the Michigan High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 1989.

RELATED:

Shaw and Weede have proven that they are Hall of Fame Coaches…it does make a difference in a high school football program and some of the attributes they both have are listed below.

The attributes of a good high school football coach

By Adamm Ingals

  • Passion for the game. A good coach loves football and is passionate about teaching and coaching the game. They are always looking for ways to improve their players and the team.
  • Knowledge of the game. A good coach has a deep understanding of the rules, strategies, and techniques of football. They are able to communicate this knowledge to their players in a clear and concise way.
  • Excellent communication skills. A good coach is able to communicate effectively with their players, parents, and administrators. They are able to motivate and inspire their players, and they are able to get their point across in a clear and concise way.
  • Leadership skills. A good coach is a leader. They are able to motivate and inspire their players, and they are able to get the most out of their team. They are also able to create a positive team culture and environment.
  • Patience. Coaching high school football can be challenging. There will be ups and downs, and a good coach is able to handle these challenges with patience and grace.
  • Enthusiasm. A good coach is enthusiastic about football and about coaching their team. They are able to get their players excited about the game, and they are able to create a positive and upbeat atmosphere.
  • Fairness. A good coach is fair to all of their players. They do not play favorites, and they treat everyone with respect.
  • Discipline. A good coach is able to maintain discipline on the team. They are able to set clear expectations for their players, and they are able to enforce those expectations.
  • Commitment. Coaching high school football is a demanding commitment. A good coach is willing to put in the time and effort to be successful.

In addition to these qualities, a good high school football coach is also someone who is:

  • A role model. Players look up to their coaches, and a good coach is someone who they can look up to and respect.
  • A positive influence. A good coach has a positive influence on their players. They help their players to develop not only as football players, but also as young men and women.
  • A lifelong learner. A good coach is always looking for ways to improve their coaching skills. They are always reading books, attending clinics, and networking with other coaches.