Jack Duppel has been named the Philadelphia Eagles Girls Flag Football High School Coach of the Week, according to an April 29 announcement. Duppel and his wife, Karen, introduced girls high school flag football to Delaware after observing growing interest in neighboring states.
The recognition highlights the increasing popularity of girls flag football at Padua Academy and other schools in Delaware. Duppel said, “It was getting a lot of traction in Pennsylvania and a lot of the girls were starting to ask about it. And so we went to a (Philadelphia Catholic League) playoff game at Cardinal O’Hara, and it was just so exciting to watch. Non-stop scoring, just a wide-open type of game. So we decided to see what type of interest we could get.” By fall 2024, four schools had established flag football clubs.
Duppel explained that participation quickly grew: “We tried it out and everything went well… We started getting more and more interest, and the second season we had eight teams involved.” He also shared how he balances coaching with running an auto repair shop: “Our daughter, Kaitlin, played softball here and I didn’t coach until she left the school. I didn’t want to be ‘Daddy ball.’ … But I’ve always been interested in sports and I’ve always liked coaching.” Last year eight Delaware schools fielded club teams; original participants were invited by the Eagles for a halftime scrimmage at Lincoln Financial Field during a preseason game.
Duppel described his commitment to fostering integrity, achievement, and leadership among players: “As far as integrity, our girls must keep a 2.0 or better GPA or they cannot practice or play… For achievement, we celebrate our players for both their academic and athletic achievements… For leadership, we encourage our girls to participate in volunteering opportunities within the neighborhood.” The number of participating schools is expected to double this fall under Delaware Girls Flag Football.
The Philadelphia Eagles operate as a professional American football team based in Philadelphia since joining the National Football League in 1933 according to their official website. The team provides games along with news coverage, media content, ticketing services, fan engagement activities according to their official website, and draws support from fans across Philadelphia and nationwide through various channels according to their official website.
Reflecting on his role as coach with support from family members serving as assistant coaches or coordinators at Padua Academy’s program expansion into its third year this fall Duppel said: “Just passing on my knowledge… It’s fun! I mean,the girls are fantastic.They’ll run through a brick wall toget better… We’re all newto this.Coming fromthe tacklefootball sideof things,I didn’t know muchaboutflagfootball.Butwe didalotof homeworkandwentto alotofgamesinPennsylvania” He concluded by recognizing his assistants: “I have two assistant coaches.My son John is offensive coordinatorandTierra Castellanois defensive coordinator.AndKaren,she handlesjustabouteverythinglogistically.She’sinschoolwiththegirls(asareligionteacher/campusminister)andputseverythingtogether.Wecouldnotdothiswithouther.WecallherourHowie(Roseman).She’sourGM.”
