SHAKOPEE, Minn. — Currently a high school head football coach, Ray Betton has led several area teams. He coached Simley High School from 2005 until 2008. He coached East Ridge in 2009. He led the Holy Angels team from 2010 to 2014 before he left and joined Shakopee Sabers, where he currently coaches.

Betton has had a successful career as a coach.

“Life lessons through the game of football,” Betton said when asked about his coaching philosophy. “Technique, effort, attitude, mental toughness. T.E.A.M. is our pillars.”

These qualities are best seen in his track record as a coach.

The players keeping Betton’s ideologies in mind have met well-deserved success. His track record boasts his wins with Simley, securing the first conference title of the program. Additionally, with Holy Angels his efforts helped the team be runner-up at the Prep Bowl.

His stature as a coach led him to Shakopee. The team has improved greatly under his coaching, falling short of merely one victory into the state tournament semifinals. 

Betton implements his life ideals and beliefs into the game. Commitment and dedication in life and in games are two very important and unyielding beliefs he has.

“When kids start to miss practices or come whenever they want, those are the kids you’ve got to X out,” he said. “I’d rather have guys who are committed and dedicated.”

Betton has built his pillars and instilled them in football through life lessons. Three years after leaving Simley, the acronyms for T.E.A.M. remained written across the locker room walls. No matter where he goes, he leaves his mark.

Besides his remarkable football career, Betton is a supervisor of the equity team. Betton submitted an “achievement and integration” plan which started on July 1, 2020, and will run until June 30, 2023. The program focuses on developing excellence in education and lasting equity in the Shakopee school district.

The purpose of the whole group is to make a welcoming environment for all students so they feel a sense of belonging. It also focuses on the individuality of each student and their potential.

“My goal is to help my student athletes be the best they can be on and off the field,” Betton said. “To become successful members of the community and have the tools and skills necessary to succeed in life.”

As it can be seen, Betton is not only an inspiration in the field, alongside his success in football. He is also a role model off the field, striving to make the world a better place. 

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