CLEARWATER, FL – Thor Jozwiak can’t help but smile whenever he is on a football field. This year brings a new reason to smile. He’s now the head coach at Clearwater High School. For this former USF Bull, it’s been a little bit of an adjustment. He is now part tactician and part motivator to his group of young Tornadoes.

“Just take it all in,” Coach Thor tells his team ahead of an early game this season. “When it’s all said and done, we’re really going to appreciate it.”

Coach Thor’s assistants see him as a natural leader.

“This is who he was as an assistant – the same energy,” said Clearwater JV head coach Leander Lester. “Nothing has changed with him as far as his personality. He has brought the energy to the team. The guys feel that energy from him.”

But Coach also loves another part of his job – being a full-time educator.

On this particular day when Spectrum Sports 360 got to follow him around, he entered his class and was answering a call before the door even closed.

Thor teaches a reading course designed with two objectives: to prepare students for college; and to get them ready to take standardized tests, which are administered on computers. Thor used to be a student and knows all the tricks in the computer lab.

“I was no saint,” said Thor. “I know all the in’s and out’s, did everything to get around things. I can see it pretty good.

Coach likes to motivate his students like he does his players. Just ask sophomore wide receiver Gage Nix.

“He teaches with a lot of energy, for real, for real,” said Nix. “Same exact energy that is on the field.”

Coach does have some extra things to hold his players accountable in the classroom.

“They have (these accountability sheets) that they have to get filled out and signed by their teachers,” said Thor. “If (certain boxes) get checked, it means we need to have a conversation to lock in!”

Once class is over Thor goes to another favorite spot on campus – to the construction site taking up much of Clearwater High. It’s a near $55 million project designed to upgrade facilities and technology.

“To see the project start to finish, it is absolutely incredible. Amazing,” said Thor. “Good things are happening here at Clearwater!”

Then its off to his office to prepare for practice.

“I try to run this program as close to college,” said the former USF offensive lineman. “You need to attack the day with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind.”

Once his practice sheet is printed, Coach can make his way out the tunnel and on to a brand new turf field.

“To have the nicest field, and the best in the area said Thor, “This should be motivating for the players.”

New facilities, new coach, new attitude. Thor Jozwiak believes all of Clearwater High is ready to explode.