Cincinnati Bengals High School Football Coach of the Week
Cincinnati Bengals Coach of the Week
The Cincinnati Bengals Coach of the Week presented by Paycor awards outstanding high school football coaches for their hard work and dedication, as well as their success on the field and in the community. Currently in its 25th year, the Cincinnati Bengals High School Coach of the Week program has awarded over $290,000 to high school football programs throughout the Tri-State. This season's program will award $20,000 to aid in the development and promotion of high school football across the Tri-State, thanks to contributions from the Cincinnati Bengals, the NFL Foundation and Paycor.
2026 Bengals Coach of the Week Honorees
Week 1 - Andre Parker, Princeton High School
Final Score: W 31-24 vs. Moeller
Coach Parker has been the Head Coach at Princeton since 2021. During that time his record was 42-9. His team has won back-to-back GMC titles in 2023 and 2024. Coach Parker was named GMC and Southwest Ohio Coach of the Year in 2025.
Go Vikes!
Week 2 - Chad Murphy, Winton Woods High School
Final Score: W 35-0
Coach Murphy is in his 6th season as Head Football Coach at Winton Woods High School (53-14) and his 26th season overall as a football coach. Under his leadership, Winton Woods won the 2021 Division II State Championship. Coach Murphy has also served as Head Coach at Hamilton High School and Northwest High School.
In 2012 at Northwest, Coach Murphy was named the Associated Press Division II Ohio Coach of the Year, Southwest District Coach of the Year, and SWOFCA Steve Klonne Coach of the Year. Throughout his career, his offenses and quarterbacks have been record-setting at nearly every stop. He has reached the Final Four twice and won a State Championship in 2021. Coach Murphy has reached the final four twice and a State Title in 2021. Coach Murphy mentored Alan McClain to All-Conference honors while coaching QBs at Div II HBCU Lincoln University.
In addition to football, Coach Murphy serves as the Head Boys Track Coach at Winton Woods. He played collegiately at Kentucky Wesleyan College and Wilmington College, where he was named Special Teams MVP and later served as Team Captain.
Coach Murphy is married to Melissa, and they have five daughters and ten grandchildren.
Week 3 - Aaron Hancock, Wyoming High School
Final Score: W 42-21
Coach Hancock has served as the Head Coach at Wyoming High School since 2012 and is currently in his 15th season leading the program. As of September 17, 2026, Coach Hancock's overall record stands at 159-22.
Under his leadership, Wyoming has captured one State Title (2018), one State Runner-Up finish (2022), 10 league titles, 13 consecutive playoff appearances, eight undefeated regular seasons, and four regional championships. His team has won back-to-back GMC titles in 2023 and 2024. Coach Parker was named GMC and Southwest Ohio Coach of the Year in 2025.
In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Coach Hancock is in his 26th year as a Physical Education and Health teacher at Wyoming High School, where he continues to make a positive impact on students both in the classroom and on the field.
Week 4 - Noel Rash, Beechwood High School
Final Score: W 41-0
Coach Rash has a high school coaching tenure of 36 years.
Noel has been the Head Coach at Beechwood High School for 18 seasons, compiling over 200 wins and eight state championship wins in nine appearances.
ALL of this is possible because of tremendous coaching staff and incredibly talented players that are completely committed to the concept of 'WE"!
Week 5 - Jesse Herbst, Dayton High School
Final Score: W 38-16
Coach Herbst has been coaching high school football for 31 years and is currently in his eighth season as Head Football Coach at his alma mater, Dayton High School located in Dayton, KY.
Before his return to his alma mater, Dayton Football was forced to cancel the 2018 season due to low participation and had amassed a record of just 16 wins and 100 losses from 2008 to 2018. Since Coach Herbst and his staff of Dayton alumni returned in 2019, Dayton's roster numbers and win totals have increased dramatically!
Week 6 - Brandon Schon, Northwest High School
Final Score: W 40-20
Coach Schon is currently in his fourth year as Head Coach at Northwest High School and his sixth year overall. His first coaching position was at Northwest High School, where he coached the junior varsity team and linebackers. Before becoming Head Coach at Northwest, he served as the school's Defensive Coordinator for one season.
Prior to Northwest, Coach Schon spent a season at Otterbein University as a graduate assistant and linebackers' coach. Before that, he served as a Defensive Coordinator and Strength Coach at New Miami High School.
A graduate of Northwest High School, Coach Schon went on to play collegiately at Notre Dame College (OH) and Hanover College before finishing up at Muskingum University.
Week 7 - Tucker Berger, Deer Park High School
Final Score: W 17-0
Coach Berger has been the Head Coach at Deer Park since 2024. Under his tenure, Deer Park has compiled a 16-13 record.
Prior to his stint as Head Coach, Coach Berger served as the Offensive Coordinator at Deer Park for two seasons.
Week 8 - Tyler Williams, North College Hill High School
Final Score: W 62-0
Coach Williams is in his first season as Head Football Coach at North College Hill High School after serving as Head Coach at Taft High School from 2021-2025, where he compiled an impressive 52-12 overall record and an 81.3% winning percentage across five seasons.
In 2026, he guided North College Hill to a Miami Valley Conference Championship, the program's first conference title since 2011, while earning MVC Coach of the Year honors.
Under his leadership, the Trojans completed an undefeated 10-0 regular season. Coach Williams is committed to developing student-athletes through academic accountability, leadership development, and community engagement.
Week 9 - Ryan Knigga, Lawrenceburg High School
Final Score: W 40-0
Ryan Knigga serves as the Athletic Director and Head Football Coach at Lawrenceburg High School in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, where he is in his 16th season leading the Tigers. Entering the 2026 season, Coach Knigga compiled an impressive 148–45 career record (as of today), establishing Lawrenceburg as one of Indiana's most consistent and competitive football programs in the state.
Under his leadership, the Tigers have captured eight sectional championships, two regional championships, and two semi-state championships, including appearances in the IHSAA Class 3A State Championship Game in 2016 and 2022. His program is built on toughness, discipline, accountability, and developing student-athletes both on and off the field. Coach Knigga takes tremendous pride in representing Lawrenceburg High School and continuing the rich tradition of Tiger Football.
Ryan is married to Staci Knigga and has twins, Noah Knigga and Natalie Knigga.
Week 10 - Jeff Jenkins, Bellbrook High School
Final Score: W 35-0
Coach Jeff Jenkins is in his 11th season leading the Bellbrook Golden Eagles. During his tenure, he has compiled a current record of 96-27. This includes 11 straight winning seasons, 3 undefeated regular seasons (2018, 2020, 2026), 7 SWBL League Championships, 8 playoff berths, and 2 Regional Final appearances.
Coach Jenkins has been the recipient of multiple Coach of the Year awards throughout his career. He credits his relentless staff and the unbelievable young men that represent the Bellbrook Football Program for all the successes over the years. Bellbrook Football believes in an old-school approach of physicality, preparation, and discipline in all phases of the game.
Coach Jenkins is the proud husband of Kelsey Jenkins and proud father to their incredible children (Ellie, Cooper, and Lucy).