Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
With success comes awards.
Warsaw football coach Phil Jensen had his most successful season at the helm of the Tigers this past season, and now the awards are flooding in.
In the 1999 season, Jensen, a 1983 Penn High School graduate, guided the Tigers to an 8-2 record overall and a 5-1 record in the Northern Lakes Conference, giving Warsaw a share of the conference crown with NorthWood.
For his accomplishments, Jensen has been named Times-Union Area Coach of the Year.
When contacted about the award Thursday, Jensen was asked what made this team stand out.
"The biggest thing is that they've been together for four years," said Jensen. "Over those four years, they've had a lot of winning opportunities. From that they took over with a great work ethic."
Warsaw's conference championship was only the 5A school's third of the decade. The others came in 1990 and 1992.
"I want it year in and year out," said Jensen. "I expect to play for the conference championship every year. I also expect to compete in the sectional."
Jensen has one state tournament victory to his credit while at Warsaw, a 46-20 win over Marion in 1998. In 1999 the Tigers fell to No. 4 Penn 51-16. Penn finished its season with a loss to Ben Davis in the state championship.
When Jensen took the Warsaw job four years ago, he said within "X" amount of years he wanted to be a conference and sectional contender. The Tigers have one conference championship and one sectional victory under Jensen's tutelage. Jensen has taken one more step in doing what he says will help the Tigers in their quest to be a state contender: He's replacing smaller schools on the schedule with 5A schools.
In the upcoming season, county rival Tippecanoe Valley will be wiped off the slate.
"Homestead is going to replace Valley," said Jensen. "I felt as head coach we needed to. If we're playing two teams that are in the semistate every year, that's tough. There's a mentality that goes with being a 5A state contender. That has to be exemplified in the coaches, kids and the corporation. That's what we're looking at."
Twenty-two players representing seven local schools were named to either the Associated Press All-State team or the AP honorable mention All-State team.
Of those 22 players, seven - Greg Seiss, Jarod Leasure, Ross Kesler, Zach Nelson, John Leininger, Aaron Chabot and Mike VanLaeken - wore the orange and black of Warsaw. NorthWood, whom the Tigers shared the NLC crown with, was the only other local school to have as many as six players selected to the all-state teams.
With the exception of Leasure, all seven of Warsaw's all-staters will be lost to graduation.
Seiss, a two-year starter at quarterback, led the Tigers through the air with 1,744 yards and 19 touchdowns on 96-of-162 passing. He also rushed the ball 72 times for 435 yards and four touchdowns.
Kesler, a three-year starter at the receiver position, finished among state leaders with 43 receptions for 759 yards and 10 touchdowns.
The number of school records broken, as well as individual and team awards won this season by the Tigers, is numerous.
Since 1926, Warsaw has had 17 football coaches. Just four of those coaches, including Jensen, have a winning record at Warsaw. Only eight of those Warsaw coaches stayed around for at least four years.
Jensen, with a 21-19 record, has completed his fourth year with the Tigers and is now eighth all time in victories among Warsaw coaches. Only three Tiger head coaches - George Fisher (103), Bill Goshert (42) and Ted Huber (31) - have won more than 30 games.
At Jensen's current pace, he would be at least tied for second all time on the Warsaw win list before he turns 40 years of age.
Thursday morning in a phone conversation, Jensen was asked if he was happy at Warsaw and if he was content on staying to see the program blossom.
"That question's been asked a lot," said Jensen. "It's been an interesting year. My family is growing. I have to evaluate what's good for my family.
"Right now I'm not taking any other jobs. The kids are lifting three days a week like they always do. As long as I'm the football coach, I'm always going to work to improve the program.
"When you get to a point where you don't think you can advance, after you evaluate your family, you have to decide if it's the right thing."
In the last four years, Jensen's record says he's been the right thing for Warsaw.
THE JENSEN RESUME
Overall Coaching Record: 50-31
Record at Warsaw: 21-19 (4 years)
Overall Playoff Record: 6-7
Playoff Record at Warsaw: 1-3
AWARDS WON BY JENSEN DURING THE 1999 SEASON
Indianapolis Colts Coach of the Week for week No. 6
South Bend Tribune 5A Coach of the Year
Northern Lakes Conference Co-Coach of the Year
Region 2 5A Coach of the Year
Elected to be Region 2 Director Elect for the Indiana Football Coaches Association
Times-Union Area Coach of the Year
