Warsaw offensive coordinator Michael Curtis, left, is formally presented the Paul Loggan Assistant Coach of the Year Award plaque from his father and head coach Bart Curtis. Photo by Nathan Pace.

By Nathan Pace
InkFreeNews

The 2024 season was one for the history books at Warsaw but head coach Bart Curtis and his son and offensive coordinator, Michael Curtis, were not ready for what came next. The two received coaching awards after Warsaw concluded its state runner-up season.

Bart Curtis received the Jim Andrews Coach of the Year award and Michael Curtis was named Paul Loggan Assistant Coach of the Year.

“To have the name Jim Andrews on a plaque, have that presented to me is special because he was my high school coach. Just humbling to me,” Bart Curtis said.

The Jim Andrews Coach of the Year award is for the local northern Indiana district of roughly 30 schools and was voted on by members of the Indiana Football Coaches Association. Michael Curtis’s assistant coaching award is for the entire state, also through the IFCA.

“First off, I was embarrassed extensively. There are way more deserving guys they can give this to,” Michael Curtis said. “After that, I was really proud of the group of guys that I worked with. These awards are other people’s interpretations of ‘Hey, Warsaw, they do things the right way.’ Really the award is a team award.”

Michael Curtis played for his dad for three seasons at Mishawaka. They originally thought New Prairie would be their destination as Bart Curtis coached the Cougars for 11 years until the Mishawaka job came calling. After graduating, Michael Curtis played college football at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, and he later started a coaching job at Warsaw for Coach Phil Jensen. When Jensen retired in 2017, Michael Curtis talked to his dad about the opportunity.

“My dad and I had talked back and forth, ‘Hey this could be a really nice deal. Warsaw is kind of a sleeping giant,’” Michael Curtis said. “Eventually, those conversations turn from ‘I hope they find the right guy’ to ‘What if I take the job.’”

Bart Curtis accepted the head coaching job at Warsaw seven years ago in February of 2018. At the time, he was still working as an assistant principal at Mishawaka and trusted Michael Curtis to be his man on the ground during the first off season.

The timing for Michael Curtis was instrumental as he was receiving interest from schools in Indianapolis and Cincinnati. Once his dad took the job, Michael Curtis focused on staying in Warsaw and met his wife, Maggie.

“Within in two months, he took the job here, and I also met my wife down in Warsaw. It just kind seemed like the stars all aligned to make this our home. It’s a great town. It’s a sports town, which we saw this past year with how excited and just full of love for this program that the community showed. It was incredible,” Michael Curtis said.

The two had to learn how to work together as coaches after years where Michael Curtis was a player.

“It was a unique transition coaching with Mike. I think there are times he probably feels that I am still the head coach and he’s the player. I think that has gotten better and better,” Bart Curtis said.

In 2019, Warsaw won a long-awaited sectional title and the 2024 season became one of high expectations. The team was excited to play Warren Central Aug. 30, for a rare chance at an Indianapolis school. The result didn’t go well as Warsaw lost 34-0 and started the year 3-3.

Warsaw Community High School football players hold up the “W” trophy after beating Wawasee this past season. Photo by Nathan Pace.

“There was a time where we were 3-3 and not playing very good ball and we’re banged up. We had a lot of built-in excuses that were there if we chose to take them. Instead, we took a different path. Which was be harder on the kids. Raise our expectations more. Be vigilant and diligent in what we do and who we are,” Bart Curtis said.

Warsaw would win seven straight games, including four wins in the Class 5A tournament. It was in the state tournament where the tougher schedule by adding Warren Central paid off.

“We were still able to honestly say to them you have seen the best defense that you will see all year. Six or seven of their players were going to play division I football,” Michael Curtis said.

Warsaw beat Merrillville 31-14 Nov. 22 for its first-ever trip to the state championship game.

Warsaw fell to Decatur Central 38-24 in the title game at Lucas Oil Stadium.

The two found out a few weeks later about the season awards as Bart Curtis appreciates the work his son has done as offensive coordinator.

“I can’t tell you how proud I am to see his hard work be recognized by key figures in key coaches. This is one that is voted on by your peers,” Bart Curtis said.