Darrell Salmi, the Stillwater Area varsity offensive line coach, will receive the Butch Nash Award at the 54th Annual MFCA Awards Banquet on Saturday, April 8, 2018.

This award, named after long-time Gopher assistant Coach Butch Nash, is bestowed on an ideal assistant coach who displays loyalty, competency, rapport with players and coaches, integrity, and at least 15 years of experience. In 23 years of coaching, all for the Ponies, Coach Salmi has served at each level, including an assistant at ninth grade for Oak-Land, head coach of the sophomore team, and the past six years with the varsity. His first season Stillwater went undefeated and won the 1995 State Championship. Salmi has assisted eight championship seasons (Conference and/or Section).

“Our O-Line is the backbone of our offense as we expect to establish a power running game,” said Head Coach Beau LaBore who nominated Salmi. “Coach Salmi instills attention to detail, big picture concepts, technical drills, and the importance of offensive linemen becoming one unit.”

Coach Salmi joins former Ponies coaches Dennis Meyer, Jerry Foley, Donn Drommerhausen, Dick Klein, and current defensive backs coach Mark Elmer as Butch Nash Award recipients.

Salmi, also a Physical Education and Health teacher at Stillwater Area High School, was surprised and grateful for the recognition. “I have learned so much from so many coaches over the years, that really, for me, this is an award to be shared with everyone who has helped me to be an effective coach,” he said. “Ponies football has a strong history that is matched with tremendous success and I am grateful to be part of the team and excellent tradition. I am honored to coach and work with so many great athletes who are also spectacular people.”

Congratulation Coach Salmi!

For a list of other Butch Nash Award recipients, use the following link: Butch Nash Award