TOMAHAWK, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers have named Dewey Reilly of Tomahawk High School as the Packers High School Coach of the Week. Now in his third season, Reilly has led the Tomahawk Hatchets to an impressive 5-0 start, marking their best season opening since 1969.
Reilly’s leadership has propelled Tomahawk to the top of the Great Northern conference and earned them a fifth-place ranking in the latest Bound Wisconsin Coaches poll among Division 5 programs. His emphasis on team identity and leadership has been pivotal.
“I think for us, it was identifying who we were and who we wanted to be as a team and as a community,” Reilly said. “I’m also a big believer in iron sharpens iron…we try to make each other better on a daily basis.”
Beyond the field, Reilly focuses on being positive role models within the Tomahawk community. He also lead the Hatchets hockey program to it’s first state championship in March.
“We try to conduct ourselves, carry ourselves and lead by example, not just on the football field but in our community,” he said.
Reilly, a Tomahawk native and alumnus, played football at Minnesota State University, Mankato, before embarking on a coaching career. He returned to Tomahawk to coach football and hockey and also works as a dentist.
Winning the Coach of the Week award, Reilly views it as a team achievement. “It makes me proud to be a part of this team, community and program,” Reilly said.
The Packers’ Coach of the Week program honors outstanding high school coaches, providing recognition and a $1,000 donation to the school’s football program.