Darnell Wiltz of Waukesha South High School Named Green Bay Packers High School Coach of the Week
The Green Bay Packers have announced that Darnell Wiltz of Waukesha South High School in Waukesha, Wis., has been named the Packers High School Coach of the Week.
Wiltz, in his sixth season as head coach, has guided the Blackshirts to a perfect 4-0 start, marking the program’s first undefeated opening month since 2013. Following several seasons marked by fluctuating records and roster sizes, Wiltz has revitalized the program, doubling player participation and positioning the team to chase its first playoff appearance since 1999.
The team credits the turnaround to a cultural shift built from the youth level up, established by Wiltz and his coaching staff leading by example.
“These kids have built the culture,” said Wiltz, who purchased and serves as president of Waukesha South’s youth football program. “This is my first group of seniors that I have been with since youth, and they have built the culture. It starts at the youth level, and that is part of this cycle of me being the head coach. I want to make sure we are doing the right things in the community, in school and everywhere else.”
Wiltz noted that the program faced initial hurdles during the transition.
“When I took over, it was a little rough and rocky,” Wiltz said. “But now that the kids have something that they are proud of, something they are in, and something they want to be a part of, the way they act, walk, talk and how proud they are to be a Blackshirt is amazing. I am building young men. Football is a microcosm of life. Eventually it will end, and what are you going to be after football? The kids have decided what they want the culture to be, and I’m focused on building the kids into young men. We’re role models. I don’t hire the best coaches, I hire the best role models, and we go through this together as a team effort from top to bottom. This is my family.”
A native of Fort Worth, Texas, Wiltz graduated from Fort Worth’s Eastern Hills High School in 1997, where he played defensive back and running back under head coach Don Morlan. He went on to attend Cornell College in Iowa, earning multiple all-conference selections at defensive back under head coach Ray Reasland before graduating in 2003.
Wiltz began his coaching career as an assistant at Cornell College before serving as a graduate assistant at TCU while earning his master’s degree. He later helped revive the football program at Eastern Hills High School before relocating to Wisconsin in 2011. He served as head coach at Kettle Moraine High School for two years, followed by assistant coaching stints at West Allis Central and Waukesha South. He was named Waukesha South’s head coach in 2021.
While honored by the recognition, Wiltz credited the community for the program’s success.
“It’s just a reminder that the hard work that has been put in by not just me, but the coaching staff, parents, players and administration is being recognized,” Wiltz said. “I’m proud of it, knowing that we are doing things the right way. Football is in my blood. Without it, I wouldn’t be here.”
Wiltz and his staff oversee a program of 66 players, with approximately 40 suiting up for varsity contests. His assistant coaching staff includes Zach Finer, Adam Pilon, Andrew Barron, Rafael Garcia, Anthony Johnson, Roberto Gonzalez, Joshua Williams and Enriquez Damone.
Coach Wiltz is incredibly grateful for the support of his wife, Kristin, and their four children. Together, they raise a dedicated family that includes three daughters and a son, who plays running back for Waukesha South.
About the Green Bay Packers High School Coach of the Week Program:
The Packers will recognize one outstanding high school coach as their ‘Coach of the Week’ winner during the 2026 high school football season. Winners are awarded several items and privileges, including a $1,000 donation to the school’s football program from the Green Bay Packers and the NFL Foundation, as well as recognition of the award on Packers.com, boundwisconsin.com and Wifca.org.
Nominations for Coach of the Week should be submitted by 10 a.m. every Monday to Jake Krueger, Football Outreach Coordinator, at coachoftheweek@packers.com. Please include the nominee’s name, address, school, phone number and reason he/she is deserving of the award.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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