DE PERE, Wis. — For some in the Fox Valley, high school football will always be associated with Larry Brick.
What You Need To Know
- Larry Brick has coached at multiple high schools in his over 60 years of coaching, including Wrightstown, De Pere, Freedom and Ashwaubenon
- Brick has never been a head coach, but he has supported multiple generations of head coaches
- He helped win a state title for the Redbirds in 1992
- Brick said he has coached three generations of football players
The offensive line coach is 84 years old and has been coaching football for 67 years. He has been coaching football since he was a teenager. Brick said he has coached players, their fathers and, for some, even grandfathers.
“It means I’m old, coaching three generations… I mean, I’m really old, but I don’t care,” said Brick. “I really feel good when I’m out here. I look forward to every day to come out to practice. And the day I don’t look forward to that, I’m done.”
While Brick has never been a head coach in his 67 years as a football coach, he said he has supported multiple generations of head coaches.
Brick said he is tough and loyal and but he really wants to be remembered for one particular thing.
“That I was fair with everybody, that I didn’t cheat anybody,” said Brick. “I want to be fair. Sometimes you have to be firm and fair, but not too often.”
Brick has coached the De Pere Redbirds three separate times: once in the 90s for eight years, again in the early 2000s for almost eight years, and now, he has been there for the past three years.
Brick said he has been in this profession for so long because of the children and love of the game. Seniors on the team say they look up to him.
“We’re so grateful for him and everything he does for us,” said guard Eli Robinson. “He’s here every single day. He’s consistent. I think he’d do anything for us.”
“He’s able to teach in a way that allows us to get fun and joy from it, but also to learn and grow,” said center Chris Pace.
Brick helped lead the Redbirds to a state title in 1992. Now, he has two sons who are also coaches. He said he is not looking forward to the day when he wraps up his coaching career.
“I love it too much,” said Brick. “Being around everybody… I’m good friends with all the coaches and the kids make it special.”
Brick said he knows one day he will have to retire. Until then, he said he will continue to help mold and influence the younger generation the best way he knows how — as their coach.