(NASHVILLE, TN) - The Tennessee Titans announced today that Buck Coatney, head football coach of Fulton High School, has been named as the Titans High School Football Coach of the Week. Last Friday night, the defending 3A state champions knocked off Anderson County 35-7 improving their record to 5-2 on the season.

Through the Titans Foundation, team owner K.S. "Bud" Adams, Jr. will make a $1,000 contribution to the Fulton High School football program in Coach Coatney's honor.

"High school football enjoys a great tradition in Tennessee," said Adams. "That tradition is based not only on the outstanding quality of play but on the devotion of their coaches who continue to develop high school football players into young men of strong character. I'm very pleased to underwrite this program that recognizes the efforts of so many talented high school coaches across the state!"

Coach Coatney will also receive a framed certificate signed by NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, NFL Director of Football Operations Gene Washington and Titans Head Coach Jeff Fisher and will be Adams' guest at the Titans game vs. Detroit on January 2, 2005.

"Coach Coatney is a very dedicated and focused coach," Fulton High School Principal Kitty Hatcher said. "He cares for all the students of Fulton High School and we are very proud of him."

The criterion for selection includes the coach's impact on his team, school and community. A statewide media panel votes each week to determine the weekly winner. All high school football coaches in Tennessee, regardless of their school's size, league, or division, are eligible to be selected each week. The program is designed to recognize high school coaches who transform, through their hard work and dedication, student-athletes into the best possible football players and citizens in their community.

"High school football coaches can play a role in the lives of their players that will have lasting results," Washington says. "A competitive spirit, good sportsmanship and character development are some of the issues confronted on a daily basis by football coaches. We are thankful for the many coaches around the country who assume such a demanding role."

Coach Coatney is now eligible for the Tennessee Titans Coach-of-the-Year award to be announced January 2, 2005 when the Titans host the Detroit Lions. Adams will make an additional $2,000 grant to that winner.

In its seventh season, the Titans Coach of the Week program has awarded more than $76,000 to football programs across the state. Previous 2004 weekly winners are:

Week 1 - Kirk Williams - Greenbrier High School

Week 2 - Kevin Ward - Camden Central High School

Week 3 - Andy Shattuck - Clinton High School

Week 4 - David Watson - Siegel High School (Murfreesboro)

Week 5 - Jeff Porter - White House High School

Week 6 - Brian Rector - Ravenwood High School (Brentwood)

Week 7 - Buck Coatney - Fulton High School (Knoxville)