FIVE HIGH SCHOOL COACHES EARN AFCA REGIONAL POWER OF INFLUENCE AWARD
December 2, 2025
Five of the best high school coaches in the nation highlight today’s announcement of the 2025 AFCA Regional Power of Influence Award winners. This award is given jointly by the American Football Coaches Association® and the American Football Coaches Foundation®. These winners will be honored during the 2026 AFCA Convention, which will be held on January 11-13, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
This is the seventh year that the AFCA has recognized regional winners for the Power of Influence Award. The award was created as a way for the AFCA® and AFCF® to honor deserving high school football coaches. Coaches who receive this award are recognized for their impact on their team, as well as the legacy they leave with the school and surrounding community. This award is not based on wins and losses; however, it should be noted that coaches of powerful influence have longevity and success. The winners are selected by members of the AFCF Board of Directors.
2025 AFCA/AFCF Regional Power of Influence Award winners are: Region 1: Lou Marinelli, New Canaan (Conn.) High School; Region 2: Roosevelt Nelson, Crestwood (S.C.) High School; Region 3: Tim Goodwin, Marion Local (Ohio) High School; Region 4: Mike Snyder, Seminole (Okla.) High School; and Region 5: Jim Benkert, Simi Valley (Calif.) High School.
Lou Marinelli, who earned his second POI Regional honor (2021), has been the head coach for the New Canaan Rams for 44 seasons and has an overall record of 415-114-7 (47 years as a head coach) when you include his one season as head coach at Mamaroneck (N.Y.) High School in 1976 and his two seasons as head coach at Yorktown (N.Y.) High School in 1979 and 1980. So far in 2025, Marinelli has the New Canaan Rams at 10-0. After lettering in football at Springfield College, Marinelli began his coaching career as a graduate assistant with the Pride before becoming head coach at Mamaroneck in 1976. He moved to Boston College as an assistant coach for two years before returning to the high school ranks in 1979 as head coach at Yorktown. After two seasons, Marinelli began his New Canaan run in 1981. After going 4-5 in his first season, he brought the Rams the first of 15 state titles in 1982. New Canaan’s other state titles came in 1993, 2001-02, 2006-09, 2013-16, and 2022-24. The winningest head coach in Connecticut high school football history, Marinelli’s trophy case is full of awards that he has won over the years, including the Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference (FCIAC) Coach of the Year several times, National Football Foundation Coach of the Year, Walter Camp Football Foundation’s Connecticut Coach of the Year, 2022 Connecticut High School Coaches Association Coach of the Year, the Legendary Coach Award by MSG Network, the Gerald R. Ford Award for Outstanding Coaching, the National Football League Coach of the Year in 2008, and the Gold Key Award in 2017 to name a few. Marinelli has been inducted into the Connecticut High School Hall of Fame, FCIAC Hall of Fame, Fairfield County Sports Hall of Fame, and the Springfield College Athletic Hall of Fame.
A South Carolina native, Roosevelt Nelson earned his second straight POI Region 2 honor and guided Crestwood High School to a 6-5 record in 2025. He stayed in his home state for college, graduating from Clemson University in 2005, then began his coaching career immediately, with stops at both the high school and middle school levels before becoming the head coach at Crestwood in 2014. Over his 12 years as head coach, Nelson has guided over 60 players to college football scholarships, including one NFL player and two CFL players. In 2023, he was named 3A Lower State Coach of the Year and Region 6 3A Coach of the Year, among numerous other accolades throughout his coaching career. Coach Nelson has been an active member of the South Carolina Football Coaches Association (SCFCA) since 2006, where he continues to contribute today. SCFCA Executive Director Jimmy Noonan has praised Nelson for his exceptional leadership, work ethic, loyalty, and unwavering commitment to the school and community. Under Nelson’s guidance, the Crestwood football program has become known for its emphasis on community service and mentorship, particularly in their town of Sumter. The 2023 season was a testament to Nelson’s success and leadership at Crestwood. The team finished with an impressive 11-2 record, won the conference championship, and saw eight players sign to play college football. On and off the field, Coach Nelson uses his faith in God and the support of his family to inspire students in the classroom and on the gridiron, motivating them to reach their academic and athletic goals.
Tim Goodwin, the 2024 POI Region 3 recipient, has been the head football coach at Marion Local High School in Ohio since 1999. A native of Ohio, Goodwin has established a legendary coaching legacy in the state, with 15 state championships (a record in Ohio), three state runner-up finishes, and two state semifinal appearances. Over his career, he has compiled an impressive 337-49 record and guided the Flyers to a 76-game winning streak dating back to 2020. In 2025, Marion Local went 12-1 and lost in the Ohio High School Athletic Association regional finals. Goodwin has earned numerous league, district and state coach of the year awards along with earning the Paul Brown Excellence in Coaching Award by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2014 and the John Reed Leader Award, also in 2014. Goodwin holds his players to lofty standards, placing a strong emphasis on building a family-oriented environment. This commitment to fostering relationships and leadership within his team is reflected in both his players’ respect for him and his remarkable accomplishments. In 2011, Goodwin also began serving as a Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Huddle Leader, using his position to help student-athletes grow spiritually. Through FCA, he has led numerous service projects, instilling a sense of community and service among his athletes. Goodwin’s leadership challenges both his staff and students to excel in all areas of life, setting the tone for the entire school. He believes that a community reflects the example set by its leaders, which is why he is intentional about modeling behavior that lifts others up. This philosophy has earned him the deep respect of his staff, athletes, and the broader community, who believe in his powerful influence and ability to inspire everyone he encounters.
Mike Snyder has been at Seminole High School in Oklahoma for 54 years, serving as the head coach for the past 45. Since becoming head coach in 1980, Coach Snyder has guided the Chieftains to 40 playoff appearances, 11 regional championships, and a 1996 state title, while finishing as state runner up five times. With an overall record of 400-147, Snyder stands as the winningest high school football coach in Oklahoma history. In addition to his coaching success, he has served as Seminole’s first athletic director, helping expand the athletic department by adding five new sports and guiding Seminole to capture 20 state championships across multiple sports. His many honors include Oklahoma Football Coach of the Year (1996), Oklahoma Athletic Director of the Year (2000), Two-time Fellowship of Christian Athletes Coach of the Year, and induction into the Oklahoma Coaches Hall of Fame. The City of Seminole has recognized his impact by naming both Mike Snyder Field and Mike Snyder Avenue in his honor. He founded the Mike Snyder Foundation for Child Development, a nonprofit organization that provides scholarships and educational resources to children and families in need throughout the community. Known for his faith, humility, and lifelong mentorship, Coach Snyder’s influence reaches far beyond the football field, leaving a lasting mark on his players, school and community.
Jim Benkert is one of California’s most accomplished high school football coaches, with an overall record of 317-124-5 across 37 years of coaching. He served as head coach at Simi Valley, Oaks Christian, and Westlake High Schools, earning a reputation for developing programs grounded in discipline, character, and academic excellence. During his 26 years at Westlake High School, he led the Warriors to four CIF-SS Football Championships (1999, 2003, 2009, 2011) and 12 league titles, becoming the winningest coach in Ventura County history with a 226-86-5 record. He later guided Oaks Christian to a CIF-SS Division II Championship in 2017 and three straight Marmonte League titles in his three seasons as head coach from 2015-17. Since becoming the head coach at Simi Valley in 2018, Benkert has continued his legacy of success, leading the program to five playoff appearances, the 2023 CIF-SS Division VI championship and a runner-up finish in CIF-SS Division III in 2024. In addition to his on-field accomplishments, Coach Benkert has had a lasting influence as an educator, mentor, and leader in athletics. He served as Westlake’s Athletic Coordinator for 16 years and taught biology, physiology, and physical education, while also helping to develop coaching education programs for walk-on coaches in the Conejo Valley Unified School District. A respected speaker and advocate for coaching development, he has been a presenter at the annual AFCA convention and Glazier Clinics and served as president of the Southern California Chapter of the National Football Foundation in 2024. Benkert has won numerous honors during his career, including being named LA Times Coach of the Year five times, LA Daily News Coach of the Year four times and served on several High School Football All-Star game staffs.
The AFCA will announce the 2025 National Power of Influence Award winner during the 2026 AFCA Convention on Sunday, January 11, 2026. The Regional winners are finalists for the national Power of Influence Award.
For more information about the AFCA, visit www.AFCA.com. For more interesting articles, check out The Insider and subscribe to our weekly email.
If you are interested in more in-depth articles and videos, please become an AFCA member. You can find out more information about membership and specific member benefits on the AFCA Membership Overview page. If you are ready to join, please fill out the AFCA Membership Application.
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Five of the best high school coaches in the nation highlight today’s announcement of the 2025 AFCA Regional Power of Influence Award winners. This award is given jointly by the American Football Coaches Association® and the American Football Coaches Foundation®. These winners will be honored during the 2026 AFCA Convention, which will be held on January 11-13, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
This is the seventh year that the AFCA has recognized regional winners for the Power of Influence Award. The award was created as a way for the AFCA® and AFCF® to honor deserving high school football coaches. Coaches who receive this award are recognized for their impact on their team, as well as the legacy they leave with the school and surrounding community. This award is not based on wins and losses; however, it should be noted that coaches of powerful influence have longevity and success. The winners are selected by members of the AFCF Board of Directors.
2025 AFCA/AFCF Regional Power of Influence Award winners are: Region 1: Lou Marinelli, New Canaan (Conn.) High School; Region 2: Roosevelt Nelson, Crestwood (S.C.) High School; Region 3: Tim Goodwin, Marion Local (Ohio) High School; Region 4: Mike Snyder, Seminole (Okla.) High School; and Region 5: Jim Benkert, Simi Valley (Calif.) High School.
Lou Marinelli, who earned his second POI Regional honor (2021), has been the head coach for the New Canaan Rams for 44 seasons and has an overall record of 415-114-7 (47 years as a head coach) when you include his one season as head coach at Mamaroneck (N.Y.) High School in 1976 and his two seasons as head coach at Yorktown (N.Y.) High School in 1979 and 1980. So far in 2025, Marinelli has the New Canaan Rams at 10-0. After lettering in football at Springfield College, Marinelli began his coaching career as a graduate assistant with the Pride before becoming head coach at Mamaroneck in 1976. He moved to Boston College as an assistant coach for two years before returning to the high school ranks in 1979 as head coach at Yorktown. After two seasons, Marinelli began his New Canaan run in 1981. After going 4-5 in his first season, he brought the Rams the first of 15 state titles in 1982. New Canaan’s other state titles came in 1993, 2001-02, 2006-09, 2013-16, and 2022-24. The winningest head coach in Connecticut high school football history, Marinelli’s trophy case is full of awards that he has won over the years, including the Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference (FCIAC) Coach of the Year several times, National Football Foundation Coach of the Year, Walter Camp Football Foundation’s Connecticut Coach of the Year, 2022 Connecticut High School Coaches Association Coach of the Year, the Legendary Coach Award by MSG Network, the Gerald R. Ford Award for Outstanding Coaching, the National Football League Coach of the Year in 2008, and the Gold Key Award in 2017 to name a few. Marinelli has been inducted into the Connecticut High School Hall of Fame, FCIAC Hall of Fame, Fairfield County Sports Hall of Fame, and the Springfield College Athletic Hall of Fame.
A South Carolina native, Roosevelt Nelson earned his second straight POI Region 2 honor and guided Crestwood High School to a 6-5 record in 2025. He stayed in his home state for college, graduating from Clemson University in 2005, then began his coaching career immediately, with stops at both the high school and middle school levels before becoming the head coach at Crestwood in 2014. Over his 12 years as head coach, Nelson has guided over 60 players to college football scholarships, including one NFL player and two CFL players. In 2023, he was named 3A Lower State Coach of the Year and Region 6 3A Coach of the Year, among numerous other accolades throughout his coaching career. Coach Nelson has been an active member of the South Carolina Football Coaches Association (SCFCA) since 2006, where he continues to contribute today. SCFCA Executive Director Jimmy Noonan has praised Nelson for his exceptional leadership, work ethic, loyalty, and unwavering commitment to the school and community. Under Nelson’s guidance, the Crestwood football program has become known for its emphasis on community service and mentorship, particularly in their town of Sumter. The 2023 season was a testament to Nelson’s success and leadership at Crestwood. The team finished with an impressive 11-2 record, won the conference championship, and saw eight players sign to play college football. On and off the field, Coach Nelson uses his faith in God and the support of his family to inspire students in the classroom and on the gridiron, motivating them to reach their academic and athletic goals.
Tim Goodwin, the 2024 POI Region 3 recipient, has been the head football coach at Marion Local High School in Ohio since 1999. A native of Ohio, Goodwin has established a legendary coaching legacy in the state, with 15 state championships (a record in Ohio), three state runner-up finishes, and two state semifinal appearances. Over his career, he has compiled an impressive 337-49 record and guided the Flyers to a 76-game winning streak dating back to 2020. In 2025, Marion Local went 12-1 and lost in the Ohio High School Athletic Association regional finals. Goodwin has earned numerous league, district and state coach of the year awards along with earning the Paul Brown Excellence in Coaching Award by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2014 and the John Reed Leader Award, also in 2014. Goodwin holds his players to lofty standards, placing a strong emphasis on building a family-oriented environment. This commitment to fostering relationships and leadership within his team is reflected in both his players’ respect for him and his remarkable accomplishments. In 2011, Goodwin also began serving as a Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Huddle Leader, using his position to help student-athletes grow spiritually. Through FCA, he has led numerous service projects, instilling a sense of community and service among his athletes. Goodwin’s leadership challenges both his staff and students to excel in all areas of life, setting the tone for the entire school. He believes that a community reflects the example set by its leaders, which is why he is intentional about modeling behavior that lifts others up. This philosophy has earned him the deep respect of his staff, athletes, and the broader community, who believe in his powerful influence and ability to inspire everyone he encounters.
Mike Snyder has been at Seminole High School in Oklahoma for 54 years, serving as the head coach for the past 45. Since becoming head coach in 1980, Coach Snyder has guided the Chieftains to 40 playoff appearances, 11 regional championships, and a 1996 state title, while finishing as state runner up five times. With an overall record of 400-147, Snyder stands as the winningest high school football coach in Oklahoma history. In addition to his coaching success, he has served as Seminole’s first athletic director, helping expand the athletic department by adding five new sports and guiding Seminole to capture 20 state championships across multiple sports. His many honors include Oklahoma Football Coach of the Year (1996), Oklahoma Athletic Director of the Year (2000), Two-time Fellowship of Christian Athletes Coach of the Year, and induction into the Oklahoma Coaches Hall of Fame. The City of Seminole has recognized his impact by naming both Mike Snyder Field and Mike Snyder Avenue in his honor. He founded the Mike Snyder Foundation for Child Development, a nonprofit organization that provides scholarships and educational resources to children and families in need throughout the community. Known for his faith, humility, and lifelong mentorship, Coach Snyder’s influence reaches far beyond the football field, leaving a lasting mark on his players, school and community.
Jim Benkert is one of California’s most accomplished high school football coaches, with an overall record of 317-124-5 across 37 years of coaching. He served as head coach at Simi Valley, Oaks Christian, and Westlake High Schools, earning a reputation for developing programs grounded in discipline, character, and academic excellence. During his 26 years at Westlake High School, he led the Warriors to four CIF-SS Football Championships (1999, 2003, 2009, 2011) and 12 league titles, becoming the winningest coach in Ventura County history with a 226-86-5 record. He later guided Oaks Christian to a CIF-SS Division II Championship in 2017 and three straight Marmonte League titles in his three seasons as head coach from 2015-17. Since becoming the head coach at Simi Valley in 2018, Benkert has continued his legacy of success, leading the program to five playoff appearances, the 2023 CIF-SS Division VI championship and a runner-up finish in CIF-SS Division III in 2024. In addition to his on-field accomplishments, Coach Benkert has had a lasting influence as an educator, mentor, and leader in athletics. He served as Westlake’s Athletic Coordinator for 16 years and taught biology, physiology, and physical education, while also helping to develop coaching education programs for walk-on coaches in the Conejo Valley Unified School District. A respected speaker and advocate for coaching development, he has been a presenter at the annual AFCA convention and Glazier Clinics and served as president of the Southern California Chapter of the National Football Foundation in 2024. Benkert has won numerous honors during his career, including being named LA Times Coach of the Year five times, LA Daily News Coach of the Year four times and served on several High School Football All-Star game staffs.
The AFCA will announce the 2025 National Power of Influence Award winner during the 2026 AFCA Convention on Sunday, January 11, 2026. The Regional winners are finalists for the national Power of Influence Award.
For more information about the AFCA, visit www.AFCA.com. For more interesting articles, check out The Insider and subscribe to our weekly email.
If you are interested in more in-depth articles and videos, please become an AFCA member. You can find out more information about membership and specific member benefits on the AFCA Membership Overview page. If you are ready to join, please fill out the AFCA Membership Application.
