2007 All Star Coach
1st Assistant Jim Caserta
Holland West Ottawa High School
Coach Caserta is a 1976 graduate of Paulding High School in Paulding, Ohio. Jim accepted a football/ baseball scholarship to play at Bowling Green State University. He played football for Coach Don Nehlen and baseball for Coach Don Purvis.
Jim earned a Bachelorof Science degree in 1980 and a Master of Education degree in 1983 from B.G.S.U. Coach Caserta began his teaching and coaching career at Paulding HS in 1981. He was an assistant to Head Coach Steve Clark for four seasons prior to being named head coach at his alma mater in 1985. Following five seasons as Paulding’s head coach, Jim became the Athletic Director and Head Football Coach at Findlay High School in Findlay, Ohio. He served in that position for 6 years.
Since 1996, Jim has been the Head Football Coach at West Ottawa High School. He also serves as the Head Baseball Coach for the Panthers. Coach Caserta, along with Coach Paul Chapman also leads the Fellowship of Christian Athletes group at WOHS.
Jim’s wife, Deb, is a special education teacher in the West Ottawa school system. Jim and Deb have been married 26 years and have two sons Justin (21) and Grant (17). Both Justin, a senior at Hope College and Grant, a senior at West Ottawa High School played for their dad in high school.
“I have been blessed with the opportunity to work with many, many great young people throughout my teaching and coaching career. I look forward to working with these fine all star athletes and coaches. What the football coaches’ association provides in this All-Star game is a tremendous experience for these young men. They will remember this experience for the rest of their lives. It’s about much more than just the game itself and I am honored to be a part of it.”