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Roth named National COY
Longtime Washington coach brings home prestigious award
LINCOLN, Ne. — They say third time’s a charm, and that was exactly the case for Washington boys track and field coach Steve Roth over the weekend. Roth was nominated as a National Coach of the Year candidate for the third-straight year in 2023, and in this time, it was his name that was called.
Roth, who has coached the Demon track team for 47 years was named National Coach of the Year in the sport of track, beating out seven other finalists.
“You never know,” Roth said. “You're with eight coaches that are fabulous coaches. It was very humbling.”
The award is given out by the National High School Athletic Coaches Association at the annual convention in Lincoln, Nebraska.
After hours of waiting through other sports, Roth, seating next to his wife Tammy, listened as the boys track and field award was finally given, and Roth got to hear his name called.
“When I heard the 47 years, and Tammy was sitting beside me and gave me this big nudge,” Roth recalled. “Very cool.”
Roth’s Demons won their third Southeast Conference championship in a row this year, the first three-peat under their head coach, making it quite the appropriate time for the trophy to make its way to Washington.
“It wouldn't happen if it weren't for the guys that I've had,” Roth said. “You're talking about 47 years of guys like this.”
Roth also thanked his assistant coaches and all of his coaching friends that he learned from over his nearly 50 year career, as well as his own track coach in his time running at Mt. Pleasant, Denny White.
Roth talked about how important Demon Nation has been to him, and he had plenty of it on the ride to and from Lincoln. Roth came equipped with some ‘LGD (Let’s Go Demons)’ merchandise, which has really started to take off in the town of Washington.
Roth says the coaches at the convention all got their hands on some Demon swag to take back home.
“I started, a couple of years ago, LGD,” Roth said. “It's just a trademark I put out, and they used it for the shirts. I've got Koozies, and I've been giving them away everywhere I go. Every coach that went got one.”
As Roth returned home with his wife, he was greeted by fans, current athletes and former athletes who waited at his home to celebrate his arrival.
“I was just going to come home, water my flowers and chill,” Roth said. “I had no idea.”
Once home, Roth was able to embrace the large group that came out to congratulate him, and show off his new trophy, which marks the newest accolade for Roth, and Washington High School.
“I'm proud of being a Demon, and for representing Washington,” Roth said. “It's very cool to represent Washington and to win for Washington.”
