WACO, TEX. — Five of the best high school coaches in the nation highlight today’s announcement of the 2025 AFCA Regional Power of Influence Award winners. This award is given jointly by the American Football Coaches Association and the American Football Coaches Foundation. These winners will be honored during the 2026 AFCA Convention, which will be held on January 11-13, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina.

This is the seventh year that the AFCA has recognized regional winners for the Power of Influence Award. The award was created as a way for the AFCA and AFCF to honor deserving high school football coaches. Coaches who receive this award are recognized for their impact on their team, as well as the legacy they leave with the school and surrounding community. This award is not based on wins and losses; however, it should be noted that coaches of powerful influence have longevity and success. The winners are selected by members of the AFCF Board of Directors.

2025 AFCA/AFCF Regional Power of Influence Award winners are: Region 1: Lou Marinelli, New Canaan (Conn.) High School.

Region 2: Roosevelt Nelson, Crestwood (S.C.) High School.

Region 3: Tim Goodwin, Marion Local (Ohio) High School.

Region 4: Mike Snyder, Seminole (Okla.) High School.

Region 5: Jim Benkert, Simi Valley (Calif.) High School.

Lou Marinelli, who earned his second POI Regional honor (2021), has been the head coach for the New Canaan Rams for 44 seasons and has an overall record of 415-114-7 (47 years as a head coach) when you include his one season as head coach at Mamaroneck (N.Y.) High School in 1976 and his two seasons as head coach at Yorktown (N.Y.) High School in 1979 and 1980.

A South Carolina native, Roosevelt Nelson earned his second straight POI Region 2 honor and guided Crestwood High School to a 6-5 record in 2025. Over his 12 years as head coach, Nelson has guided over 60 players to college football scholarships, including one NFL player and two CFL players.

Tim Goodwin, the 2024 POI Region 3 recipient, has been the head football coach at Marion Local High School in Ohio since 1999. A native of Ohio, Goodwin has established a legendary coaching legacy in the state, with 15 state championships (a record in Ohio), three state runner-up finishes, and two state semifinal appearances. Over his career, he has compiled an impressive 337-49 record and guided the Flyers to a 76-game winning streak dating back to 2020

Mike Snyder has been at Seminole High School in Oklahoma for 54 years, serving as the head coach for the past 45. Since becoming head coach in 1980, Coach Snyder has guided the Chieftains to 40 playoff appearances, 11 regional championships, and a 1996 state title, while finishing as state runner up five times. With an overall record of 400-147, Snyder stands as the winningest high school football coach in Oklahoma history.

In addition to his coaching success, he has served as Seminole’s first athletic director, helping expand the athletic department by adding five new sports and guiding Seminole to capture 20 state championships across multiple sports.

His many honors include Oklahoma Football Coach of the Year (1996), Oklahoma Athletic Director of the Year (2000), Two-time Fellowship of Christian Athletes Coach of the Year, and induction into the Oklahoma Coaches Hall of Fame.

The City of Seminole has recognized his impact by naming both Mike Snyder Field and Mike Snyder Avenue in his honor. He founded the Mike Snyder Foundation for Child Development, a nonprofit organization that provides scholarships and educational resources to children and families in need throughout the community. Known for his faith, humility, and lifelong mentorship, Coach Snyder’s influence reaches far beyond the football field, leaving a lasting mark on his players, school and community.

Jim Benkert is one of California’s most accomplished high school football coaches, with an overall record of 317-124-5 across 37 years of coaching. During his 26 years at Westlake High School, he led the Warriors to four CIF-SS Football Championships (1999, 2003, 2009, 2011) and 12 league titles, becoming the winningest coach in Ventura County history with a 22686-5 record. his three seasons as head coach from 2015-17.

The AFCA will announce the 2025 National Power of Influence Award winner during the 2026 AFCA Convention on Sunday, January 11, 2026. The Regional winners are finalists for the national Power of Influence Award.

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