Desert Pines coach thrilled to represent Nevada at coaching summit

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Monday, Aug. 3, 2009 | 2:16 p.m.

Coach Bennett

Desert Pines High football coach Paul Bennett felt like a kid in a candy factory.

Bennett, Nevada’s delegate at last week’s NFL Youth Football Coach Summit in Canton, Ohio, had so many memorable moments during the three-day convention that pinpointing the top highlight was impossible.

As one of 51 coaches invited to the all-expenses paid event, which happens annually as part of the NFL’s Hall of Fame induction ceremonies, Bennett toured the hall, met a handful of former NFL players and exchanged ideas with the event’s other coaches.

“It really recharged my battery,” Bennett said. “It was nice to get away from summer conditioning and get the juices flowing again. I’m really revved up and ready to go.”

Bennett was nominated for the summit by Mojave High coach Tyrone Armstrong, who attended in 2006.

“I have always had respect for Paul and his teams,” Armstrong said. “What I have always admired about him is that he works with what he’s got. He’s not waiting for a transfer to come in from Eldorado or Las Vegas.”

The summit included a speech from Super Bowl winning coach Dick Vermeil and former Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Todd Blackledge. Bennett also had a one-on-one conversation with Gil Brandt, who spent nearly three decades as the Dallas Cowboys vice president of player personnel. The meetings were on everything from learning new special teams formations to handling coach-player-parent relationships.

Bennett, who hails from Pittsburgh, never visited the hall despite growing up a few hours drive from Canton.

“It was awesome finally getting there,” Bennett said. “They already had the brackets on the wall for the busts from this year’s class.”

Bennett’s Desert Pines squad returns three of Southern Nevada’s top players in quarterback Dalton Leilua, wide receiver Eric Tuiloma and linebacker Keorris Berry.

It’s a slew of talented athletes who could help Bennett create more memorable moments on the gridiron. Desert Pines is expected to challenge perennial power Las Vegas High for the Northeast Division crown.

With Bennett leading the way, anything is possible.

“Paul’s kids always give him a good effort,” Armstrong said.

Ray Brewer can be reached at 990-2662 or ray.brewer@lasvegassun.com.