Raleigh Sports Club recognized Athletic Director and retiring head varsity football coach Ned Gonet as Coach of the Year for 2022-23. The event took place Wednesday, April 5, at the club’s annual banquet at North Ridge Country Club.

His 2022 varsity football team earned the Big East Conference championship, cementing a legacy that includes seven previous conference titles since 2008 and the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association’s state championship in 2015.

Gonet — who retires as North Carolina’s longest-serving high school football coach, with 42 seasons at Ravenscroft — was also praised for the impact he has made on athletics overall and as past head coach of girls varsity basketball and varsity baseball.

Originally hired in 1981 as Athletic Director and head football coach, Gonet has dedicated his career to cultivating students’ fitness and emphasizing lifelong health, discipline, sportsmanship and teamwork. Under his leadership, Ravenscroft has competed in seven state football championships and won five state titles — in 1985, 1989, 1994, 2000 and 2015. He was also head coach of the 1996 and 1999 state-championship girls varsity basketball teams. 

He has been named Conference Coach of the Year eight times and State Coach of the Year twice.

“I can think of no better candidate for the Raleigh Sports Club to honor than Coach Ned Gonet as Coach of the Year,” Head of School Doreen Kelly said in nominating him for this recognition. “More than the statistics, Ned has proudly represented the whole mission of Ravenscroft and provided generations of student-athletes with the gift of high expectations. Not only has Ned served Ravenscroft as a coach for 42 years, but he has also represented the Raleigh community with honor.”

“I am very appreciative and honored to have received the Wake County Coach of the Year from the Raleigh Sports Club,” Gonet said. “They do an exceptional job recognizing our local high school athletes and coaches throughout the year. This honor was a collaboration of a solid coaching staff, talented and committed student-athletes and parents, and a school administration and community that support and provide spirit and a sense of pride for Ravenscroft Athletics.”

Gonet was joined at the event by his family and Athletics Department colleagues Jim Gibbons and Grace Edwards.

Congratulations to Coach Gonet!