Round one of the Jackson Magazine “Best of Jackson” nominations came to a close on October 25, 2024, and Northwest High School’s (NWHS) Head Varsity Football Coach is one of the nominees who is not just appreciative, but also thoughtful of other staff on his team.
According to the Jackson Magazine (Jackson Magazine), the Best of Jackson is an event in which the Jackson community votes on the best person or business for a specified category. For example, next year’s categories, whose winners will be announced on March 4, 2025, at 6:00 P.M., include the best Auto Body Shop, Bank, Landscape Company, Professional Photographer, Reuben (sandwich), and Varsity Head Football Coach. The survey itself was done anonymously and limited to one submission per person.
After round one, the three businesses with the highest number of votes move on to the next round which takes place in November and December.
The top three finalists from the categories are featured in the March issue of the Jackson Magazine, including their own article and photoshoot. They will be announced before the release of the Best of Jackson Award Ceremony.
Principal of Northwest Connect and Head Varsity Football Coach Stafford Newsome, one of thirteen contestants, first found his destined career path in second grade. When asked what he wanted to be when he grew up, he recalled writing down a high school history teacher and football coach.
Further into adulthood, he discovered his first coaching experience in 2013, when Corey Slater was the head coach at Northwest.
“It felt amazing! I love[d] the game and being able to coach it while also developing young men,” said Newsome.
Football itself impacted Newsome greatly in regards to growth over the years. For instance, he has grown as a manager, parent, coach, principal, and timekeeper.
Having a coach many years ago that told him not to ask his players to do anything he would not be willing to do himself, Newsome lives by this aphorism. He prides himself in being prepared with games and practices while also keeping a clean fieldhouse.
“I vacuum, carry equipment out on game days, have daily agendas and practice plans,” said Newsome. “I do not ask anyone to do anything I am not willing to do and I think that allows all of us to take pride in even the small things.”
During hard times with his players and himself, they always return to square one. Past mistakes help improve future games, practices, and the team’s overall morale.
“It hurts to not have things go your way because you put so much time and effort into it, but in seven days you will have another game, so you have to remember to move forward,” said Newsome.
What sets his team apart from others is the time and commitment they put into every task. For example, it is common to see them at other Northwest events, staying after
practice, or lifting weights throughout the summer.
“Our staff loves what we get to do,” said Newsome.
Junior Cameron Halsey, one of Newsome’s players, first met him this year after joining Varsity and playing the defensive line.
Having Newsome as a coach not only affected his play style, but his mentality.
“This is even more so than other sports, and with Newsome’s coaching, I feel that everyone is better connected and represents each other in a way that is not like other sports,” said Halsey.
Newsome is constantly telling them to move on from their mistakes.
However, Newsome taught Halsey to play as one body instead of individual players, creating a positive environment for a large program.
As far as winning the Best of Jackson, Halsey mentioned that Newsome has what it takes, but Newsome has a different point of view.
He is grateful to be one of the nominees, but that is not his reasoning for doing what he is doing.
“If this is any coach’s biggest worry at this time of year, or ever, then they are in for the wrong reason. I want our guys to enjoy the greatest game ever created,” said Newsome.
He also touched upon Jackson having many good coaches, yet his team has phenomenal staff that should also be nominated for the category.
