By Rich Palzewic
Sports Editor
GREEN BAY – The Green Bay West High School football team has a new head coach.
The school recently announced it has hired Drew Brusoe to lead the Wildcats on the gridiron.
West, coming off a 1-8 season, beat Green Bay East 14-13 for its only win of the season in 2021.
“I’d like to thank the administration at West for giving me the opportunity,” Brusoe said. “It’s my first time being a head coach. I was nervous at first, but going forward, it’s an opportunity for me and my staff to put our mark on the program as a whole.”
In the last 18 seasons of play, the Wildcats have won a combined nine games and gone winless in nine of those seasons
With a combined 9-151 record during that span, Brusoe said he’s well aware of the difficulties West has faced.
“I’m not oblivious to the problems the program has had,” he said. “They haven’t had much success over the years, so it’s going to be lots of work, on and off the field. We’ve got to get the numbers up and have the kids trust us.”
Most recently, Brusoe, who graduated from Luxemburg-Casco High School, was the defensive coordinator at Stevens Point Pacelli High School.
“We are excited to add Drew to our coaching staff,” West Activities Director Sue Kuester said in a statement. “He brings a great amount of football knowledge and experience to our team. It was evident through the interview process that Drew possesses the energy, passion and commitment to lead our football program.”
Brusoe said his strongest asset is being able to build positive relationships with student-athletes.
“That’s the most important thing about any coaching position – building relationships,” he said. “I’m at that odd age (28) where I can mostly relate to what the kids are going through daily. I’ve dealt with a melting pot of different athletes, and it puts me in a good position to reach kids if they have issues.”
Brusoe said despite being a defensive coach at Pacelli, he also loves the offensive side of the ball.
“If I had to lay my hand on something, I’d say defense more suits my personality,” he said. “I was a fullback at Stevens Point, but I’ve been around enough good offensive coaches where I believe I can hold my own offensively with the system I want to put in.”
Even though he’ll be roaming the West sidelines, Brusoe has ties to East.
“Ironically, my mom and her siblings all went to East,” Brusoe said. “Her parents – my grandparents – live in Allouez. I’ve driven by East High School hundreds of times over the years.”
Brusoe said he’s looking forward to the rivalry with the Red Devils.
“It’s unique,” he said. “I know (East Head Coach Levi) Nelson is relatively new as well. It’ll be exciting to see what we each bring to the table this season.”
Currently, a strength and conditioning trainer, Brusoe, who replaces Skylar Liebzeit at West, received his bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
He’s also currently pursuing a master’s degree in sports management from UW-Parkside.