Finding an Edge
story by Jeffrey Kerekes
John Edge, head coach of the Owensboro Catholic High School Aces, says students bemoan being stuck in school all day. He teases them after school with the same call down the hall: “All you people do is complain about being here, and as soon as you can you don’t leave.”
That is the story of Coach Edge. When you’re free to choose to leave or stay in Owensboro, some choose to stay.
“Look what I’ve done, I’ve come back,” he chuckles.
Born and raised in Owensboro, Edge attend Catholic High and went on to Murray State, where he continued to play football. He has been the head coach for 10 years at Catholic High, where he works side-by-side with teachers and coaches who once taught him. Edge’s wife Lauren, also an Owensboro native, is a registered dietician and clinical manager at the hospital. Together they raise four children, Avery, 7, “JT”, 6, Anne, 4, and Hayden, 2.
With a school of only 450 students to draw from, Owensboro Catholic has built a reputation for quality sports programs, especially the one that plays on Friday night. The football team — a 2-A program — remains a perennial state contender under Edge’s leadership.
“Friday night in Kentucky is high school football,” said football manager Bill Boehm. Therefore, fielding a highly successful football team means that 12 percent of the student body is on the team, and 75 percent of the players get to play in each game.
Edge is clear about this: “We coach them every day. One of the biggest reasons we are successful is because we share our athletes (among the different sports programs). We don’t try to hog an athlete.”
When teenagers use free time to consistently gravitate to Edge, you know something special is happening.
Caring is clearly mutual between students and coaches.
“You practice how you play on Friday nights,” he reminds players.
Game day is every day for Edge and Owensboro Catholic.
Coach John Edge talks with students (below) from the balcony during free time after lunch.
The maintenance staff lauds John for ensuring that students kept Owensboro Catholic High School's lunch room clean.
After weight training, John reviews film and strategy with players the day before the match against Union County.
Immaculate Catholic Church prays for the Owensboro Catholic High School football team during early morning Mass on game day against Union County.
John Edge, head football coach at Owensboro Catholic High School, observes drills during practice for the game against Union County.
Coach John Edge's daughter, Anne, 4, tackles his knees before he leaves for an Owensboro Right to Life banquet.
Owensboro Catholic High School football coach John Edge tickles his daughter Avery before leaving for an Owensboro Right to Life banquet.
John Edge, head football coach at Owensboro Catholic High School, pushes players to not take their lead for granted during half time against Union County.
Practice doesn't always make perfect for the Owensboro Catholic High School football team. Coach John Edge feels the pressure during a bad play against Union County at the team's last regular home game of the season.
Coach John Edge holds daughter Anne, 4, with wife Lauren holding son Hayden, 2, after the Catholic High School football team clenched the win against Union County with a one point advantage.