Louie Silva named NFL Youth Coach of the Week by the Los Angeles Chargers

When a young Jose “Louie” Silva and his family came to America from Mexico, Louie dreamed of playing soccer. At the time, soccer wasn’t as popular in the United States, so some friends introduced him to American sports.

“My friends were great when it came to teaching me the sports that I didn’t know about,” said Silva, the Week 5 winner of the NFL Play Football Youth Coach of the Week Award, representing the Los Angeles Chargers.
“I really enjoyed playing sports,” Silva added. “I tried to learn as much as I could.”

Today—more than half a century later—the 76-year-old Silva still loves sports, but now he’s the teacher.

Since 1981, Silva has been involved with Long Beach Pop Warner. Starting as an assistant coach, he became a head coach in his second year and has been making an impact ever since.

“I love coaching kids,” said Silva. “I take my time—I have patience. Kids need something to help keep them off the streets and out of trouble and gangs.”

It’s hard to count how many lives “Coach Louie” has changed over the decades. He also serves as President of the non-profit Long Beach Pop Warner organization.

“Kids need someone who cares,” Silva explained. “There are lots of things facing kids these days, so I will be coaching as long as I can coach.”

“It still makes me happy to have a positive impact on a kid’s life. I enjoy watching our kids go on to high school and college and be successful in life.”

Silva has passed his love of football on to his four children. All three sons have followed him into coaching and are part of his staff.
“When they were young, my daughter was my cheerleader and my three boys played for me,” Silva said, recalling the 2015, 2016, and 2019 OEC championships as some of his favorite memories. “It’s fun to work with my children.”

While Silva has won many games, it’s the teaching and mentorship that truly brings him joy.

“A lot of coaches nowadays just want to win and forget the impact coaches can have on a kid’s life,” Coach Louie said. “If I see a kid playing outside, I ask if they want to play football. He doesn’t have to be an all-star or the best player.”

“I look for kids that want to play football and get off the streets. Most of the kids are from broken homes or single-parent families. Coming from the inner city of Long Beach, I help by getting sponsors so kids can play—money shouldn’t stop a kid from doing something positive.”

Steve Strawbridge, President/CEO of Pop Warner, praised the NFL partnership:
“We’re thrilled to team up with the NFL on the Youth Coach of the Week program because it celebrates the true lifeblood of our organization and youth football: the volunteer coaches. They are the mentors who not only help young athletes develop skills on the field but also shape them as people. This award is a meaningful way to thank those who give so much back to our game and our communities, ensuring the sport remains strong for the next generation.”

Roman Oben, NFL Vice President of Football Development, added:
“The NFL Play Football Coach of the Week Award—in partnership with AYF & Pop Warner—honors those who do more than teach the game at the younger levels. It celebrates leaders who inspire character, teamwork, and a lifelong love of football in the next generation.”

Reflecting on the award, Silva told NFL Play Football, “After doing this for so many years, I never thought I would receive something like this. I do it because I love coaching. Since winning the award, I’ve had a bunch of my old players—now in their 50s—texting me to congratulate me. It makes me feel good and gets me a little emotional to see my old players still appreciate what I did years ago.”