By Lydia Jane Allison
NEW YORK — Jan. 4, 2024 — The NFL announced today the high school football coaches nominated by the 32 NFL teams for the 2023 Don Shula High School Coach of the Year Award, representing the best in coaching at the high school level.
These coaches were recognized by their local NFL clubs for the prestigious award – named after Pro Football Hall of Famer Don Shula, the winningest coach in NFL history. The coaches were judged based on areas in which Coach Shula excelled most during his career – character, integrity, leadership, dedication to the community, commitment to player health and safety and on-field success.
“It is exciting to celebrate the nominees from each NFL club; all 32 represent the integrity, commitment and character of Coach Don Shula,” said Roman Oben, vice president of football development. “High school football coaches help mold the lives of young high school players both on and off the field. They serve as leaders and role models, and this group represents the very best every year.”
The NFL will recognize one winner from the region near an NFL Club in each conference, AFC and NFC. These two winners will be invited to the 2024 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, Fla., on Feb. 4 and will be recognized in special ways during the NFL’s week-long celebration of football. Throughout the week, coaches will receive VIP access and accommodations to attend the Pro Bowl Games practices for both conferences, on-field access on Sunday for the culmination of the Pro Bowl Games, and a chance to interact and engage with various members of the football community.
The NFL Foundation and Nike have teamed up to provide the two winners a $15,000 award for their high school football programs and a $10,000 cash award. The other 30 club nominees will all receive a $1,000 cash award. The two winners will also attend Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas as special guests of the NFL. The Don Shula Award winners will be announced in the week prior to the 2024 Pro Bowl Games, televised on Sunday, Feb. 4, from 3-6 p.m. ET on ESPN, ABC, Disney XD, ESPN+ and ESPN Deportes. The winners will also be recognized and walk the red carpet at NFL Honors, a two-hour primetime awards special to air nationally on Thursday, Feb. 8, at 9 p.m. ET on CBS.
The Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year winners are selected by a panel of distinguished individuals:
- 2022 Don Shula NFL Coach of the Year Award AFC WinnerClive Harding
- 2022 Don Shula NFL Coach of the Year Award NFC WinnerMatthew Gallagher
- NFL analyst and former front office executiveScott Pioli
- Pro Football Hall of Famer and current ESPN contributorPeyton Manning
- Pro Football Hall of Fame coach and current NBC analystTony Dungy
- Executive Director of USA FootballScott Hallenbeck
- Former All-Pro cornerback & NFL consultantBobby Taylor
- NFL Legend and NFL Network analystMichael Robinson
- Aplington-Parkersburg High School PrincipalAaron Thomas, son of the school’s late football coach Ed Thomas
- NFL Legend, former NFL head coach, and son of the late Coach ShulaDave Shula
- Nike Brand Director of Grass Roots and TeamScott Henson
Below is a full list of the 2023 Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year nominees. For more information on the NFL Foundation, visit nflfoundation.org or follow @NFLFoundation on X.
| Nominating NFL Team | Coach | High School |
| Arizona Cardinals | Colin Thomas | Liberty High School |
| Atlanta Falcons | Keith Maloof | Norcross High School |
| Baltimore Ravens | Kurt Stein | Oakdale High School |
| Buffalo Bills | Terrell Cunningham | James Monroe High School |
| Carolina Panthers | Aaron Brand | Irmo High School |
| Chicago Bears | Derek Leonard | Rochester High School |
| Cincinnati Bengals | Tom Grippa | Milford High School |
| Cleveland Browns | Matt Dennison | Canton South High School |
| Dallas Cowboys | Jason Witten | Liberty Christian School |
| Denver Broncos | Andy Lowry | Columbine High School |
| Detroit Lions | Shane Fairfield | Muskegon High School |
| Green Bay Packers | Matt Hensler | Badger High School |
| Houston Texans | Cornelius Anthony | Hightower High School |
| Indianapolis Colts | Larry “Bud” Wright | Sheridan High School |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | Brian Braddock | St. Augustine High School |
| Kansas City Chiefs | Jesse Owen | Gardner Edgerton High School |
| Las Vegas Raiders | Chris Sawyers | Sunrise Mountain High School |
| Los Angeles Chargers | Scott Altenberg | Junipero Serra High School |
| Los Angeles Rams | Demel Franklin | Cerritos High School |
| Miami Dolphins | Daryle Heidelburg | Miami Norland Senior High School |
| Minnesota Vikings | Mike Diggins | Centennial High School |
| New England Patriots | Allan Fornaro | Xaverian Brothers High School |
| New York Giants | Nick Aiello | Tioga Central High School |
| New York Jets | Danny Landberg | Erasmus Hall High School |
| New Orleans Saints | Jim Hightower | St. Thomas More Catholic High School |
| Philadelphia Eagles | Tim Roken | St. Joseph’s Preparatory School |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | Mike Warfield | Aliquippa High School |
| *San Francisco 49ers | Nelson Tran | Independence High School |
| Seattle Seahawks | Travis Anderson | Anacortes High School |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Clayton Varnum | Durant High School |
| Tennessee Titans | Tony Brunetti | Pearl Cohn High School |
| Washington Commanders | Bradley Lutz | William Byrd High School |
*High School Girls Flag
About Play Football
The NFL celebrates youth and high school football year-round. Through camps, activities, NFL FLAG and tackle leagues, the Play Football initiative provides a fun and engaging experience for players of all ages and skill levels, equipping young people with key life skills that are building blocks to success on and off the field. Play Football works to shape the football experience, advocate for safety, promote football values and connect football communities. For more information, featured football stories, best practices and resources aimed to create a positive playing experience, please visit PlayFootball.nfl.com or follow @PlayFootball. Join the conversation on social media using #PlayFootball.
About the NFL Foundation
The National Football League Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of those touched by the game of football – from players at all levels to communities across the country. The NFL Foundation and its members, the 32 NFL clubs, support the health, safety and wellness of athletes, youth football, and the communities that support our game. Celebrating 50 years, the NFL Foundation has become one of the leading philanthropic entities in America, contributing to NFL team communities, national and international disaster relief efforts, and societal issues. The league is utilizing this anniversary to amplify the impact of NFL Philanthropy and the progress made by our nonprofit entities. For more information on the NFL Foundation, visit: www.NFLFoundation.org.
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NFL Announces Nominees for 2023 Don Shula High School Coach of the Year Award
