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Coach of the Week

The Chicago Bears have officially named Saja Alnajjar, head coach of Stagg High School in Palos Hills, as the Chicago Bears Girls' Flag Football Coach of the Week for Week 7.

This award recognizes excellence in leadership and team commitment, highlighting efforts to support young athletes and expand girls' flag football throughout Illinois. As part of this program, the Chicago Bears will make a $2,000 donation to the Stagg football program.

Alnajjar said, “I was genuinely surprised and honored to receive a nomination for this award! I am incredibly proud of my team's performance this year. I had many new girls join the team, and they impressed me by quickly grasping the fundamentals. By week six, they were excelling and making consistent progress. Their hard work and coachability made a significant difference. I’m excited about the continued growth of the program and can’t wait to see what the future holds for our team!”

Head Coach Saja Alnajjar led her Stagg Chargers to become the first-ever IHSA Regional Champions in a 20-12 upset over the Simeon Wolverines. In just the second year of the Stagg Girls’ Flag program, Coach Alnajjar has built a competitive team from the ground up. Last year, she was the sole coach, overseeing the offense, defense, and special teams. Many of her athletes had never played football before, but they grew from learning fundamentals like catching and throwing to finishing the season 4-4 and advancing to the state quarterfinals. 

Stagg Athletic Director Jen Doede said, “Saja exemplifies dedication and passion in her role as the Flag Football coach. Her work ethic and commitment to the program and her own personal improvement as a leader not only inspires her athletes but also fosters an environment of growth and resilience.”

Building on last year's progress, Alnajjar led her team to an impressive 14-8 record this season. Unfortunately, their season came to a heartbreaking end after falling to Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences in the first round of sectionals, 14-12. Despite this, the Chargers had a historic season, securing the first-ever regional championship. 

Alnajjar is a key part of this success; her dedication to the team and the personal growth of her players is evident in their performance and teamwork. With a coaching philosophy centered around encouragement and inclusivity, she has created a positive environment where each player contributes to the team's success. Under her leadership, the team has engaged in local initiatives to promote girls’ sports and encourage young athletes to try flag football. Her efforts extend beyond typical coaching duties, significantly enhancing the visibility and community of girls’ athletics.