Bio

Coaching, mentoring and motivating teenagers since graduating as a student-athlete from UW-Oshkosh in 1975, Tom Taraska is recognized by many as the most successful high school football coach in Wisconsin.

Remaining in close contact with several of his college coaches, Taraska continues to draw inspiration from these men who led the 1972 Titans to an 8-2 record and the WIAC championship.

Upon graduating with an education degree from UW-Oshkosh, Taraska started his coaching and teaching career at Franklin High School. He remained at Franklin for seven years before taking a job at Hartland's Arrowhead High School.

Taraska, who completed his 26th season as head football coach at Arrowhead High School in 2007, has produced four WIAA Division 1 state championship teams (1993, 1994, 1996, 2007), four WIAA Division 1 state runner-ups (2000, 2002, 2003, 2006), a WIAA Division 1 state-record 39 postseason victories, three undefeated and nationally ranked teams and an overall record that most coaches only dream of reaching, 233-91.

Taraska coached 12 high school All-Americans, 34 All-State players and numerous collegiate athletes. The most recognizable Arrowhead alumni include former University of Wisconsin quarterback Tyler Donovan; former University of Wisconsin defensive tackle Nick Hayden, who was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL Draft; and former Dallas Cowboy, Baltimore Raven and Tampa Bay Buccaneer center Mike Solwold.

Taraska was chosen as the 2007 Associated Press State High School Coach of the Year. He also is a three-time Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel Area Coach of the Year (1993, 2002 and 2007) and a three-time Wisconsin Football Coaches Association District Coach of the Year (1991, 1996 and 2002).

On the rare occasion Taraska had a free moment in the last 11 years, he was scheming under Loren Seagraves’ guidance to develop a nationally recognized physical education program known as Club Arrowhead – a cutting-edge class on the development of successful and well-rounded high school students. He also has given clinic presentations at several Big 10 universities. Taraska graduated with a master’s degree from UW-Whitewater in 1992.

Giving back to the UW-Oshkosh community, Taraska served as the first president of the College of Education and Human Services Alumni Association from 2006-07. Taraska remains a board member of this organization. He also is a lifetime member of UW-Oshkosh's National "O" Club. The West Allis Hale High School graduate was inducted into the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2004.

Taraska resides in Brookfield with his wife, UW-Oshkosh alumnus and former pom-pon performer, Sue.