Varsity football coach Joshua Mann was recently named 2012 All-Central Texas Coach of the Year by the Austin American-Statesman.

“I am so honored to be named Coach of the Year by the Statesman,” Mann said. “It is a reflection of the assistant coaches, administration, Raider Nation, and the players that took the field.”

In their first two seasons, the team went 2-17-1. This season, Mann led the Raiders to their first-ever playoff berth and all the way to the 4A semifinals, one game shy of the state championship.

“He was always very positive on the field,” senior football player Joshua Petro said. “He always pushed in the right direction. He believed we would win when no one else did.”

Mann was chosen over the Statesman’s other candidates: Cedar Park’s Joe Willis, Georgetown’s Jason Dean, Manor’s Sadd Jackson and Westlake’s Darren Allman.

“It’s well deserved,” senior football player Jordan Vise said. “He’s a great coach and leader. It’s well earned.”

In the other two categories, Tim Lapaglia was a nominee for Player of the Year and Billy Ray McCrary was a nominee for Newcomer of the Year.

“I was so proud to see Tim Lapaglia and Billy Ray McCrary nominated for their awards as well,” Mann said. “Rouse was the only school to have somebody nominated in all three areas which meant more to me than receiving the Coach of the Year award.”

To see the Statesman’s announcement, click here.