The U.S. Army All-American Bowl Selection Committee has announced Lance Pogue, South Panola High School, Batesville, Miss., as the 2011 Russell Athletic National Coach of the Year. The award honors the nation's top high school football coach, recognizing exceptional coaching abilities and leadership skills as well as serving as a positive influence to the youth of America on and off the field.

“It is our privilege to be associated with this award,” Russell Athletic Executive Vice President Gary Barfield said. “With our focus on our football business, our association with the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, and all the activities around it, we are honored to be part of this event. And we are pleased that Lance Pogue is the 2011 recipient.”

“The Army is comprised of strong leaders,” said Col. Derik Crotts, Director of Strategic Communications, Marketing and Outreach, U.S. Army Accessions Command. “Coach Pogue exemplifies and possesses similar leadership strengths and provides valuable guidance to his players both on and off the field. We congratulate Coach Pogue on his achievements and for being recognized as the coach of the year.”

Coach Pogue will receive the Yoast Award, named after the legendary Coach Bill Yoast, who along with Coach Herman Boone was immortalized in the movie “Remember the Titans.”

Coaches are nominated and selected by the U.S. Army All-American Bowl Selection Committee. Dale Mueller from Highlands High School, Fort Thomas, Ky., was the winner of the 2010 Russell Athletic Coach of the Year award. Other nominees this year included: Sean Callahan from Armwood High School, Seffner, Fla.; Bob Johnson from Mission Viejo High School, Mission Viejo, Calif.; Steve Lineweaver from Trinity High School, Euless, Texas; Dave Peck from Bingham High School, South Jordan, Utah; and Dale Salapa from Dr. Phillips High School, Orlando, Fla.

The U.S. Army All-American Bowl is the premier high school football game in the country held each January at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The game features the best high school football players in the nation and has helped launch the careers of Adrian Peterson, Mark Sanchez, Tim Tebow, Ndamukong Suh, and many other college and NFL stars since its inception in 2001. Last year the U.S. Army All-American Bowl drew more than 34,000 fans to the Alamodome along with being the most watched sporting event on television over the weekend, besides the NFL Playoffs.

The U.S. Army Accessions Command (USAAC), a subordinate command of U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, meets the human resource needs of the Army by transforming volunteers into officers, warrant officers, and enlisted Soldiers. In providing the force, the 20,730 men and women of Accessions Command prepare these future Soldiers and leaders for their initial military training. Commanded by Lt. Gen. Benjamin C. Freakley, USAAC is located at Fort Knox, Ky.

The U.S. Army All-American Bowl is owned and produced by All American Games, a New Jersey-based sport marketing and event management company. National sponsors of the All-American Bowl include the U.S. Army, American Family Insurance, Athletic Republic – the Official Performance Training Center, beRecruited, Choice Hotels, DCI-Drum Corps International, DeMoulin Uniforms, Football University, Jupiter Band Instruments, Rivals.com, Russell Athletic, San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau, Schutt Sports, The National Association for Music Education, and Zildjian Cymbals.