Cattau chosen to coach in Shrine Bowl
LINCOLN — The Shrine Bowl of Nebraska Board of Directors recently released the rosters for the 66th Nebraska Shrine Bowl football game later this summer.
Along with the players, coaches were previously selected and were charged with selecting team members from eligible players from their respective areas.
Cedar Catholic head football coach, Chad Cattau, was selected as an assistant coach for the North squad.
Chris Koozer from Norfolk High School was chosen as the head coach for the 2024 North Team.
“This is something I always wanted the opportunity to experience in my career,” Cattau said. “It’s going to be such a neat experience working with the Shriner’s Hospitals and knowing that your efforts are benefiting sick children from the area.”
His credentials show he belongs. In 22 seasons on the sidelines at Cedar Catholic, Cattau has produced a 147-82 record, he has three 10-win seasons, advanced to three state title games, has a career playoff record of 23-20, has made the playoffs in all but two seasons, has had only four losing seasons and he is the winningest coach in Cedar Catholic football program history.
“I really appreciate being selected for this honor and I know I wouldn’t be here without the help and efforts of so many people that have played and coached here,” said Cattau. “We have had great coaches and kids, and they have always worked hard so we could be successful on the field and off of it. Being selected to do this is really a compliment to all those people that have helped our program along the way.”
Cattau has All-Star experience as he has been the head coach of the Northeast Nebraska All-Star team, an assistant for the NEN game and he even played in the 8-man All-Star game back in 1995.
“I still have friends I stay in touch with from that game,” Cattau said. “So the Shrine Bowl is a great chance for these young men to create some new friendships.”
He also enjoyed his all-star coaching experiences.
“You get to work with a lot of locally talented players but this one will be even bigger,” the coach said. “We will get to work with kids from different walks of life coming together for a good cause and creating a bond that will last a lifetime.”
Joining Koozer and Cattau on the sidelines for the North will be assistant coaches James Thompson (Lincoln North Star), Ryan Smith (Sidney), Ron Beacom (Neligh-Oakdale), Jason Jones (Grand Island High) and Matt Skiff (Norfolk).
Ryan Gottula of Lincoln Southeast is the head coach for the South Team.
“This is truly an honor,” Cattau said.