The Packers name Wausau East High football coach Coach of the Week

WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAW) – The Green Bay Packers have named Wausau East High School’s Tyler Kramer the Packers High School Coach of the Week.

In his second year as Wausau East’s varsity head coach, Kramer is leading the Lumberjacks to the WIAA Football Playoffs for the first time in 12 years and hosting their first playoff contest since 2007. After playing 8-man football in 2021 and not After fielding a varsity squad in 2022, Coach Kramer is preparing the Lumberjacks for a playoff run in 2024.

“Last year we were 2-7 and made a lot of progress, but these kids had never learned how to play varsity soccer; Their only experience was JV or varsity reserves,” Kramer said. “I think we go into the offseason knowing that things are different now, people have the varsity experience and know that we no longer have an excuse not to play varsity anymore [helped with this year’s turnaround].”

Off the field, Kramer made it a point to support his fellow Wausau East students and volunteer in the community, recognizing that he and his coaching staff are role models for the players.

“I think I just encourage them to get involved in whatever they can,” he said. “Volunteering in different ways. We just get involved in every way we can. We’ve kind of broken through with this stuff, and the kids know if it’s me [volunteering] and the other coaches do it, there’s no excuse for them not to do it, and I think in the end we all have a good time doing it.”

Kramer grew up in Wausau and graduated from Wausau East High School in 2017. He played offensive tackle and defensive end for the Lumberjacks under head coach Tom Tourtillott. Kramer started as a volunteer freshman assistant coach at Wausau East in 2018 and rose through the coaching ranks over the next few seasons. Kramer was officially named head coach of his alma mater in 2023.

Kramer credits the hard work of everyone involved in the program.

“To be here and have our second six-win season in the last 20 years just shows that what we’re doing is what’s best for the program,” he said. “It’s an honor. It’s really just about showcasing the community, the kids and everyone’s hard work this season. I think it’s kind of the culmination of all the work that went into this season and the foundation we’re laying for the years to come.”

Kramer and his staff oversee a program of about 80 players, 45 of whom suit up for varsity play. His assistants include Dan Garrett, Kong Meng Xiong, Nathan Kramer, Brady Schmidt, Anthony Marquardt, Zak Kachel, Dave Blaskowski, Dave Coenen and Tom McCormick. In addition to coaching, Kramer works at Greenheck Fan Corporation.

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