BOURBON — Triton Head Football Coach Ron Brown was honored as one of five finalists in the “Coaches Making A Difference” contest, a contest sponsored by the Rose Bowl Game® presented by Northwestern Mutual, in conjunction with the National Football Foundation.

Brown was nominated by former player Nate Spangle for “Coaches Making A Difference”, which recognized high school coaches that have made a difference in the lives of student-athletes in their community. In his third year at the helm of Triton football, Brown guided his Trojans to an outstanding 8-4 finish — one of the biggest turnarounds in the state from last season’s 2-9 record — while helping them navigate an emotionally turbulent season in which they lost junior two-way lineman Cameron Scarberry in a car crash Sept. 17.

“I’m humbled that one of my former student-athletes would take the time and initiative to nominate me for this honor. I really do not get up every morning thinking, ‘How can I make a difference?’ I simply try to always do what’s right for my students and treat them as if they were my own children,” said Brown. “Nate Spangle is developing into a wonderful young man and I look for him to do great things in whatever community he chooses.”

Brown was announced as one of five finalists in the national contest. The Grand Prize winner was Bill Redell, who has coached at Crespi High School, St. Francis High School, Oaks Christian High School, Occidental College, and in USFL for the Portland Breakers. The four finalists named alongside Brown were Cornelius McFarland of Wheatley High School in Houston, Texas, Jamar Mckoy of Hunter Huss High School in Gastonia, N.C., Larry Yeradi of Wright High School in Wright, Wyo. and John Cain of Somerset High School in Somerset, Ky.

A panel of representatives from the Tournament of Roses and the National Football Foundation selected the five finalists and grand prize winner.

“Coaches play a significant role in the lives of the youth that they work with,” said Tournament of Roses President Lance Tibbet. “They do not only have the power to touch the heart of a young student-athlete but also engage and inspire the soul of a community.”