Naples' Kramer honored in magazine

There is no such thing as sideline panache for Naples High football coach Bill Kramer.

He’s steady and controlled even during the toughest moments, often comporting himself in a CEO-like manner.

Yet he is a soft touch when it comes to his family and the Golden Eagle football program, perhaps the two most important components in his life.

During his eight years as head coach at Naples, Kramer has won a Class 5A state title in 2001 and sent numerous players to college. More importantly though, he has learned the virtue of patience and how to invest in his players so that they not only become excellent football players, but productive citizens in society.

“We work really hard in teaching our kids how to be consistent,” Kramer said. “The bottom line for us is football’s a tool and we don’t measure ourselves by what the scoreboard says at the end of the game, but by the relationships we have with our staff and our players.”

It’s Kramer’s coaching success and perspective on life that has the 42-year old featured in The Prep Report of American Football Monthly’s June magazine. Kramer is listed in a section called “Young Guns”, which highlights six Florida football coaches under 45 including University of Florida coach Urban Meyer.

Kramer said one reason the magazine caught his eye is because it referred to him as young. But the recognition is also humbling because of the company he keeps.

“My name’s on it, but it’s not me,” Kramer said. “It’s our staff, the guys who have been there from the beginning. We’ve had great support from the administrative staff and players that work hard.”

A native of California, Kramer spent 11 years at American Heritage High School — three as a head coach and eight as an assistant — and so much has changed for Kramer since then.

From day one, Kramer said he was given the resources to build a top notch program and surround himself with a solid coaching staff. He also said winning is important at Naples, but there was immense pressure at American.

Kramer has found common ground and made Naples his home. Although he isn’t the only one planting seeds in order to see the football teams’ success continue, because his wife Susan of 18 years has that part covered through cooking pre-game dinners among other things.

“I view his position as an outreach to kids,” Susan said. “It’s not just a job. We need to make a difference in a young man’s life and their family, that’s the reason I’m involved.”

As for Kramer’s appearance in the magazine: “It’s nice to be recognized for something he doesn’t do for the recognition and I’m proud of that,” she said.