Severn School's Coach Chris Kirchenheiter Named Ravens High School Coach of the Week

Chris Kirchenheiter, head coach of the school's varsity football team, has been named Ravens High School Coach of the Week for the seventh week of the 2011 NFL season, according to a Raven's press release.

First-year head coach Kirchenheiter took the reins to the Severn team in February 2011. His team’s 42-7 defeat of Friends School on Oct. 22 locked in Severn’s first winning season since 2006.  

Severn's running back Jared Ryan scored two touchdowns on the ground in the second quarter to give the Admirals a 14-0 lead at the half. The defense continued its excellent play, forcing critical turnovers in the second half to give the offense a short field. Severn finished with five rushing touchdowns, according to the news announcement.

Quarterback Ben Priddy added two touchdowns through the air, and the junior also kicked seven successful PATs. Severn finished 0-10 in 2010. Kirchenheiter gives credit to his players for the change and to his staff for helping to execute the turnaround.  

“We came in and had 11 seniors, and they said, ‘We want to change. We want to do something different.’ So, we put it on the 11 seniors to take charge. As a coaching staff, we put things in place to help them but it was up to the 11 seniors to make it happen, and that’s exactly what they’ve done,” Kirchenheiter said in a press release. 

The long-time assistant has coached Green Hornets youth football, high school football at Lake Braddock andand at the University of North Carolina, according to the news announcement.

This is Kirchenheiter’s first head coaching position and Severn’s first-ever Ravens High School Coach of the Week.

“It’s a great opportunity to coach at Severn. It’s a dream come true. I’m in my hometown and in my neighborhood. I coached many of these young men in youth football and now in high school. It’s been an exciting opportunity for me.”  

The Admirals (6-1) have won six straight. They face Lutheran (5-3) on Friday (Oct. 28) and with a win, will compile as many wins this season as the last four seasons combined.  

Each week during the season, the Ravens honor a high school coach who has made a significant impact on his athletes. Each winner will be present at the Ravens vs. Browns home game on Dec. 24 for the naming of the Ravens’ High School Coach of the Year.

Comcast SportsNet, the official sports network of the Baltimore Ravens, will also feature a weekly segment to honor the selected coach. Each weekly recipient receives:  

• A $2,000 donation to the school’s football program
• An award certificate signed by Ravens head coach John Harbaugh
• A specially-designed Coach of the Week hat

Presented by Toyota, this is the 15th year of the Ravens’ award program.

Nominate yourself or your favorite volunteer today for the Ravens Community Quarterback Award! Earn Ravens tickets, merchandise and a financial gift for the respective nonprofit organization. Visit http://www.BaltimoreRavens.com/CommunityQB for more info!