5 Things To Know About Vienna Coach Killed On The Beltway

VIENNA, VA—A beloved Vienna special education teacher and varsity football coach was killed in a Capital Beltway crash over the weekend. Lenny Schultz, 52, was hit by a box truck in Springfield on Saturday, June 24. His nephew Albert Schultz, also hit, is in critical condition in the hospital. Lenny Schultz was struck by the truck driver while trying to secure a boat in a trailer behind his truck.

The teacher and coach has been a longtime member of the James Madison High School community. Here's what we know about Lenny Schultz:

He was an alumnus of Madison High School and an all-star athlete.

Schultz had graduated from Madison High School in 1983, and he earned quite a few athletic recognitions during his time there. He was an All-State running back in football, and he also competed in wrestling. The star athlete was inducted into the school's athletic hall of fame, according to The Washington Post.

John Lingenfelter, a former athletic director at Madison, said in 2011, "Lenny played at Madison when I was a coach there,” Lingenfelter said. “He was one of the best athletes we’ve had, and he went on to start all four years at N.C. State."

He had been head coach of the varsity football since 2011.

Before becoming head coach of the varsity team, he served as assistant coach, as well as head coach for the freshman and JV football teams.

Schultz took over the position when the Warhawks had a 1-9 record in the last season. By 2015, the team went 9-2, and then 11-2 in 2016, according to The Washington Post.

Inside NOVA reports that Schultz's record was 41-25 with four playoff appearances.

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His dedication to players went off the field.

Some of the coaches he worked with told WTOP Schultz not only mentored young men on football, but family, life lessons and school as well.

“We had great success on the field in terms of wins and losses," Tim Hecht, an offensive coordinator and friend of Schultz, told WTOP. "But really his impact was more on being a leader and molding young men and preparing them for life and family and opportunities down the road."

Jacob Choutka, a recent Madison graduate, said on Twitter, "Coach Schultz was always the first person to high five me after we scored. You touched so many lives and you touched mine."

He was a special education teacher.

According to Madison's staff directory, Schultz was an emotional disabilities teacher in the special education department.

Principal Gregory Hood wrote in a letter to the Madison community, "An educator for more than two decades, Mr. Schultz was thoroughly devoted to the Madison High School community. Those who knew Mr. Schultz understood him to be a person of integrity whose life and dedication to his students, staff and community were an inspiration to all of us."

Schultz worked in manufacturing before returning to his alma mater.

Schultz attended and played football at North Carolina State. Afterward, he stayed in North Carolina to work in manufacturing. In 2004, he realized his passion was teaching and coaching, and he made his return to Madison.

Do you have any memories of Schultz? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Image via Fairfax County Public Schools.