After leading Ironton to its second straight Ohio high school football state championship game, the National Football League’s Cincinnati Bengals named Fighting Tigers’ head coach Trevon Pendleton as their 2020 High School Coach of the Year. Pendleton, who took-over the Ironton program three years ago, has led the Tigers to a 30-8 record.
Related: Ironton finishes runner-up in Division V for second straight year
Pendleton is one of the youngest head coaches in the nation. He was 25-years old when he was hired by Ironton.
Ironton hired Pendleton after a standout college football career at Michigan State. He was a three-year starter at fullback, rising to become a team captain. Pendleton played his high school football at Portsmouth West in West Portsmouth, Ohio.
Pendleton is one of 32 nominees in the running for the prestigious Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year Award.
Two finalists will be selected and a winner will be announced this summer. Nike, a presenting partner, and the NFL Foundation will award $12,500 to the Don Shula Award winner while the associated High School football program will be awarded $17,500. The second finalist will receive $7,500 while the associated High School football program will be awarded $12,500. In addition, the other 30 finalists will receive $1,000 each.
Related: 2021 Finalists for Don Shula NFL High School Football Coach of the Year
The Cincinnati Bengals Coach of the Week program awards outstanding high school coaches for their hard work and dedication, as well as their success on the field and in the community. At the conclusion of the high school season, each coach’s high school athletic department will receive a $1,000 donation from the NFL Foundation.
2020 Cincinnati Bengals Coach of the Week Award Winners
Week 10 – Noel Rash, Beechwood (Kentucky)
Week 9 – David Brossart, Dixie Heights (Kentucky)
Week 8 – Maurice Douglas, Springfield (Ohio)
Week 7 – Stephen Lickert, Newport Central Catholic (Kentucky)
Week 6 – Tom Boldin, Lakota West (Ohio)
Week 5 – Jeff Barth, Walton Verona (Kentucky)
Week 4- Tony Love, Ashland Blazer (Kentucky)
Week 3 – Wade Bartholomew, Bloom-Carroll (Ohio)
Week 2 – Ryan Knigga, Lawrenceburg (Indiana)
Week 1 – Steve Specht, St. Xavier (Ohio)
