Eight Man Football Coaches Association 2019 Hall of Fame Inductee-Doug Goltz - Falls City Sacred Heart

It is a true honor to present the 4th member of our NEMFCA 2019 Hall of Fame inductees, Coach Doug Goltz. More of my thoughts below his bio.

COACH DOUG GOLTZ – FALLS CITY SACRED HEART H.S.

Coach Goltz is one of the most successful coaches in the history of Nebraska Eight Man Football. In his four decades of coaching the Irish, he has amassed an unparalleled career record of 307 wins and only 53 losses (an .852 winning percentage). During that span, his teams have qualified for the playoffs a record 32 straight years and have won 8 state titles. His six consecutive undefeated championship seasons from 1989 to 1994 (including a state record 87 wins in a row) are famously known as “The Streak”. Between the winning streak, the state titles, and his team’s long-term success in the playoffs, Coach Goltz’s Sacred Heart Program has come to define the word “Football Dynasty”. Over the years, he has sent nearly 40 of his players to represent the Irish in the Eight Man All-Star Game. Doug was also named as an All-Star assistant coach in 1992 and head coach in 1995. He was then selected as head coach of the Nebraska vs. Oklahoma All-Star game in 2005 and has been named state “Coach of the Year” on multiple occasions. The NEMFCA is honored to now welcome him to his rightful place in the Eight Man Football Hall of Fame Class of 2019.

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Nobody casts a bigger shadow in any Nebraska high school sport than Coach Doug Goltz of Falls City Sacred Heart. A living, breathing coaching Legend, not only in football, but in basketball and track as well.

As stated above, 307 career wins and only 53 losses in football with 8 state championships, 645 wins, 75 losses and 9 state championships on the basketball hardwoods, and 7 state boys championships in Track and Field as well. That is very, very difficult to comprehend.

It has been stated that true artists, regardless of their craft or highly skilled expertise, are a different breed. Some of these special people gravitate toward others that are similarly blessed, meanwhile other artists are so far above the rest of the playing field, they need only themselves and the resources which made them nearly invincible, to keep doing what they are doing……... and better.

Personally, I have been fortunate enough to perform and hang with with some of the finest musicians in the country over the years. Some were sweethearts, others were not, but all possessed what it took to be placed in the “Greats” category, which leads me to this thought.

In my lifetime, I’m not sure if I’ve crossed paths with a man who is a vastly talented at his craft as Doug Goltz. A Man respected, especially in football, by the greatest to ever coach the game in the state of Nebraska and well beyond.

Respected, yet feared by any coach faced with the daunting task of trying to defeat a Doug Goltz football team. Knowing the cold, hard fact that you have less than a 20% chance of beating this man because his 32 year coaching record bears this out, can cause sleepless nights and endless hours of head scratching game preparation.

No friends, Coach Dog Goltz is not super human and does not ,and has not won them all, but the gentleman comes as close as I’ve seen to being a king living among those who now coach the games.

The point I would to make at this juncture in time is that we have man walking among us we may not see the likes of again in our lifetime.

Has there ever been an equal to Mr. Goltz in this state considering the fact it is rare to see a high school coach handle three major boys sports (Football, Basketball and Track) and be as successful as the has in this day and age of specialized coaching?

The answer is a no brainer. The man is simply that good. Honest to goodness, I was, and still am to this day, so in awe of Coach Doug Goltz that it took me over 20 years to get up the nerve to ask him if I could have my picture taken with him. The photo hangs on my wall next to a similar photo of my idol Buddy Rich, the greatest drummer that ever lived.

I have an idea Coach Goltz will scold me for writing these words because he is a humble man that goes about his business, developing young men who know what it takes to win on the playing field as well as the game of life. And think of how fortunate those young men that played under his tutelage over the years must feel.

So, Coach Goltz, welcome to the NEMFCA Hall of Fame. You are indeed, a true artist at your craft………………..crafts.