He’s gone the extra mile

Minico’s Perrigot is at the Head of the Class

By Ryan Howe

Tim Perrigot begins his 196-page dissertation with the words of Knute Rockne: “Football is a game played with arms, legs and shoulders but mostly from the neck up.”

For 20 years in coaching, Perrigot had a hunch that quote was true.

Now after completing his doctoral research for the University of Idaho on the topic, he’s 100 percent convinced.

“There is absolutely a relationship between academic achievement and athletic success,” said Perrigot. “You use qualitative research not to identify a relationship, but to study that relationship. I found that athletics and activities are important and there are academic benefits associated with extracurricular participation.”

Perrigot recently completed his doctorate in educational leadership, making him the only current head football coach in Idaho who has earned the title “Dr.”

“That’s because most guys who are doctors are not stupid enough to be coaching still,” Perrigot joked.

5insights from Minico football coach Tim Perrigot’s doctoral research, “Gridiron and Grades: Perceptions of Championship Coaches on the Relationship Between Academic Achievement and Athletic Success:”

• “I learned promoting academics in a school setting is the responsibility of many, especially parents, coaches and teachers. Community support is extremely important.”

• “We should encourage participation in activities knowing significant benefits associated with academic outcomes.”

• “We need to celebrate the academic successes of our athletes and provide academic support for student athletes with deficiencies.”

• “We should continue to study championship coaches and teams to better understand the relationship between athletic success and academic achievement.”

• “A large physical fullback and a quarterback with a cannon arm can win you a few games.”

Perrigot traveled throughout the Northwest to study five football programs that have achieved a state championship plus an academic state title in the same season. His findings form the core of his dissertation, titled, “Gridiron and Grades: Perceptions of Championship Coaches on the Relationship Between Academic Achievement and Athletic Success.”

At first glance, the five schools seem to have little in common. They range in size from their state’s highest classification, to the lowest. Some are private, others public. They are economically diverse.

But Perrigot discovered all shared the same traits.

“The championship coaches described the individuals on their championship teams as competitive, responsible, disciplined, driven, highly motivated, and intelligent individuals,” Perrigot said. “These athletes led by example, showed significant pride, held teammates accountable, and were able to adjust on the fly.”

In addition, these teams elevated the entire school.

Perrigot, who is also the principal at West Minico Middle School, had several motives to earn his doctorate, which took him about four years to complete. The son of teachers, Perrigot has always felt education was important. He was also inspired by his college football coach, Dr. Carl “Duke” Iverson at Western State College in Gunnison, Colo.

But most importantly, he hopes to set an example.

“I think it’s important that I send the message to my own children and to the kids I’m coaching that you need to be educated,” Perrigot said. “It’s valuable.”

Not only is the doctorate a high personal achievement for Perrigot, the wider implications of his doctoral research can be valuable to all coaches, teachers, athletes, administrators, school boards and communities.

“The teams consisted of good citizens who were leaders on the practice field and in the hallways of school. These teams raised the bar for the overall program,” Perrigot said. “It’s basically their school. They’re making the difference in the classroom and on the field and it’s contagious. The rest of the student body feeds off that.”

While Perrigot’s research focused on football, he said the implications apply to all sports and activities.

Armed with this research, will Perrigot lead Minico to state championships on the field and in the classroom? Perrigot acknowledged those are his goals; however, no single magic formula exists to make it happen.

Instead, the doctor-coach has gleaned ideas from his research that will hopefully garner similar results.

“I think I’ll be a better football coach today than I was, and I think I’ll be a better administrator because I better understand the relationship between academic achievement and athletic success,” Perrigot said.

Reprinted with permission from the Twin Falls Times-News

By Cheryl Reed-Dudley