South Carroll's Steve Luette honored by the BTC for Week 10
BTC Coach of the Week saw his Cavaliers clinch the first championship in the new Carroll County league
Last summer, when Carroll County public schools elected to pull out of the MVAL and form their own athletic conference, it set the stage for schools to aim for the first County championships, with football being perhaps the biggest prize. On Friday, with a 42-7 win over Century, South Carroll secured the coveted first Carroll County football crown and, in the process, the Cavaliers earned Baltimore Touchdown Coach of the Week honors for their head coach, Steve Luette. Luette has had great success in his seven years at South Carroll, posting a 58-22 record, including an 8-1 mark in 2015. In addition, the Cavaliers have qualified once again for the state playoffs, making it seven straight under Luette. Luette served as an assistant at South Carroll from 1998-2003, and also was an assistant at Morningside College (IA) and St. Paul’s School, before returning to lead the Cavaliers in 2009. According to Luette, talent and adaptability are the keys to the success the program has enjoyed. “We have been lucky to have good athletes come through the school and I have a great team of coaches who are very good at adapting what we do offensively and defensively to the talent pool that we have year by year,” said Luette. “Rather than fit the players to the system, we fit the system to the players. Not only are my coaches good at teaching individual techniques, but they are also excellent motivators of the players we have.” Winning the Carroll County title was personally satisfying for Luette, but the best part was watching his players achieve a goal. “It was an honor to watch our players win the first championship of the newly formed league. They played hard and well in all facets of the game,” said Luette. “What this game meant to them though was the opportunity to advance into the playoffs where we have our next goal set to be accomplished.” The South Carroll staff is also critical to the program’ success, according to Luette. “They are the key to my success. Mike Kraus is my defensive co-ordinator and is responsible for setting up our weekly defensive plans and he works closely with Dan McMunn who is my D-Line coach and the best coach I have seen at teaching D-Line individual techniques. They work closely together in getting the defensive players ready for games,” said Luette. “Scott Esworthy is my offensive coordinator, a SC graduate, and is excellent at evaluating film and deciding how to attack various defenses. AJ Rusbosin works at South Carroll and is my receivers coach and also is an SC Graduate. His brother Vince Rusbosin, another SC graduate works with the outside linebackers and his excitement resonates on the sidelines during the games. Finally Tyler Kraus (another SC graduate) is in charge of the DB’s. His excitement and knowledge during practice keeps our players on the ball.” Luette also recognized a couple of coaches who helped shape him. “All the coaches I have coached under have helped me to develop as a head coach. My college head coach and mentor Jim Hindman had quite a bit of influence on me both coaching and in business. I coached under Dave Dolch in college and at the high school level and have used much of my organization techniques from him.”
Luette also was quick to recognize the great work done by many area high school football coaches, especially those involved with the Baltimore Touchdown Club. “The BTC is very instrumental in promoting football in Maryland. From the Super 22 pre-season picks to the BTC all-star game, these events help promote players so they have the opportunity to get scholarships in college in order to further their education as they continue to play football,” said Luette. “The annual BTC football scholarship dinner awards scholarship money to highly academic and well-rounded players to help further their education. “Their involvement in the Big 33 game helps promote players who have scholarships to the public and allows these players to help promote the good values learned while playing football. The BTC involvement in promoting the game of football is instrumental in turning out future members of society who will help our nation progress.”
