Miami Dolphins Remember Don Shula With Statue Viewing - Source: Getty

What is the Don Shula High School Coach of the Year Award? Learn more about the prestigious honor as NFL announces the 2024 nominees

Modified Jan 23, 2025 18:15 GMT

The NFL announced the nominees for the Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year award on Jan. 7. This award honors the legacy of Pro Football Hall of Famer Don Shula. First awarded in 2010 as the Don Shula NFL Coach of the Year Award, it became exclusive to high school coaches in 2011.

The award criteria reflect Shula's values, including character, integrity, leadership, dedication to the community, commitment to player health and safety and on-field success.

"High school football coaches serve as leaders dedicated to shaping the lives of young high school players across the country every year," NFL vice president of football development Roman Oben said.

"Don Shula was one of the game’s most celebrated coaches because of the people he impacted on and off the field. Today the NFL honors the 32 Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year nominees, as each exemplifies the integrity, commitment and character of Coach Shula."

Columbine High School's Andy Lowry and Muskegon High School's Shane Fairfield won the award last year.

2024 Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year Award nominees

The award has 32 nominees from AFC and NFC, nominated by the NFL teams.

American Football Conference (AFC)

Baltimore Ravens: Jack Walsh, Arundel High School
Buffalo Bills: Stephen Lian, Brighton High School
Cincinnati Bengals: Tom Bolden, Lakota West High School
Cleveland Browns: Mac Stephens, Cleveland Heights High School
Denver Broncos: Tim Test, Mountain View High School (High School Girls Flag Football)
Houston Texans: Brandon Ellis, Worthing High School
Indianapolis Colts: John Hart, Brownsburg High School
Jacksonville Jaguars: Marty Lee, First Coast High School
Kansas City Chiefs: Chad Frigon, Liberty High School
Las Vegas Raiders: Jodi Reich, Coronado High School
Los Angeles Chargers: Rick Hayashida, El Camino Real Charter High School (High School Girls Flag Football)
Miami Dolphins: Dylan Potts, West Boca Raton Community High School
New England Patriots: Doug Kopcso, Needham High School
New York Jets: Andrew Jashyn, William E. Grady High School
Pittsburgh Steelers: Duke Johncour, Avonworth High School
Tennessee Titans: Kyle Shoulders, Macon County High School

National Football Conference

Arizona Cardinals – Travis Schureman, Queen Creek High School
Atlanta Falcons – Darren Myles, Carver-Atlanta High School
Carolina Panthers – Andy Capone, Weddington High School
Chicago Bears – Darren Sunkett, East St. Louis High School
Dallas Cowboys – Ray Gates, North Crowley High School
Detroit Lions – Tom Alward, Goodrich High School
Green Bay Packers – Bill Jacklin, Slinger High School
Los Angeles Rams – Travis Clark, Long Beach Wilson
Minnesota Vikings – Dwight Lundeen, Becker High School
New York Giants – Dave Hogan, Chenango Forks High School
New Orleans Saints – Rodney Guin, Calvary Baptist Academy
Philadelphia Eagles – Damon Brockington, Frankford High School
San Francisco 49ers – Lenny Vandermade, St. Ignatius College Preparatory
Seattle Seahawks – Adam Mathieson, Camas High School
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Kirk Karsen, Gaither High School
Washington Commanders – Steve Rapp, Dr. Henry A Wise High School

The NFL recognizes one winner from each conference, awarding them $15,000 and an additional $10,000 for their high school football program. The winners will be invited to the 2025 Pro Bowl Games on Feb. 2 in Orlando, Florida, where they will receive VIP access and accommodations. The remaining 30 nominees will each receive a $1,000 cash prize.

The winners will be announced one week before the 2025 Pro Bowl Games.