Mike Dominick graduated from Bellmar High School in Belle Vernon, PA in 1965.  He earned a Bachelor’s of Science Degree from Clarion University in 1969 and a Master’s Degree in secondary School Counseling from West Chester University in 1988.  In 28 years of coaching football he compiled a record of 235-42-6.  In his 14 years as a head coach, his record is 116-22-3. 

Mike began his 35 year teaching career at Ridgway High School in 1969.  In that same year, he began his 28 year football coaching career as the Head Freshman Coach.  He spent 4 years in that position before being elevated to Offensive Coordinator.  As Offensive Coordinator, the RHS football team posted a record of 33-3 with 3 undefeated seasons.  In 1977, Mike was named Head Coach at RHS.  In 7 years he compiled a record of 53-8-1.  During his tenure as head coach, his teams won the Bucktail Conference Championship in 1977, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982 and 1983.  He was named the Bucktail Conference Coach of the Year 6 times. 

In 1981, he was named the Olean Times Herald Big 30 Coach of the Year.  In 1982, he was named the Pennsylvania Class A Coach of the Year.  As the Head Coach in the 1982 Big 30 All-Star Game, his PA team defeated the New York All Stars.  In 1983, he was selected as the Head Coach in the Big 33 East-West Classic.  He guided the West to a 17-8 victory over the East.  In his last 41 games at RHS, his teams won 40 times finishing with 3 straight undefeated seasons. 

In 1984, Mike was named Head Coach at Downingtown High School.  He realized that moving from a successful Class A program to a much larger Class AAAA program would be a challenge.  In his first year, his team posted a 10-2 record and went undefeated the following year with a record of 12-0.  In his 3 years as head coach, he compiled a record of 27-7. 

In 1985, DHS won the Ches-Mont League Championship.  In that same year, he was named the Ches-Mont League, the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News, Coach of the Year.  His 1985 team is the only team in Downingtown history to finish the season undefeated and untied.  In 1987, he took a year off from the rigors of coaching to pursue a Master’s Degree.  In 1988, Mike left  Downingtown to take the head coaching job at crosstown rival Coatesville High School.  In his 4 years at CHS, he compiled a record of 36-7-2.  His teams won the Ches-Mont League Championship in 1988, 1989 and 1991.  He was named Ches-Mont League Coach of the Year 3 times.  In 1988 and 1991 he was named West Chester Daily Local Coach of the Year.  In 1990, he was named Defensive Coordinator in the Big 33 Classic in which Pennsylvania beat Maryland 42-28.  Two of his teams at CHS finished the regular season undefeated. 

After the 1991 season (10-0-1), he resigned because he didn’t want to coach against his oldest son, Mike Jr., who was starting his high school career at Downingtown.  After watching Coatesville beat Downingtown 4 times in 2 years, Mike was hired as Defensive Coordinator at DHS in 1994 and in 1996.  In 1994 with Mike Jr. starting at quarterback and cornerback, DHS went to the AAAA State title game only to lose to McKeesport 17-14.  In 1996, DHS won the AAAA State Championship beating Woodland Hills 49-14.  In 1999 and 2000 he had the opportunity to coach his youngest son, Marc when he was hired as an assistant coach at Downingtown.  Mike finished his coaching career as the Defensive Coordinator at Coatesville in 2003 & 2004.  In his last year at CHS, the team finished 11-1.  In his 28 year career, he only coached one team as an assistant that had a losing record. 

Mike would like to thank all of his assistant coaches, players, friends and fans who helped make this award possible.  He dedicates this award to his sons, Mike and Marc, his daughter Annie and especially his wife Rae, of 37 years.  He realizes that without support and inspiration from his family, this award would not have been possible.