| NEW YORK — Jan. 13, 2026 — The NFL announced today the 32 nominees for the 2025 Don Shula High School Coach of the Year Award, representing the best in coaching at the high school football level.
The coaches will be celebrated by their local NFL clubs for the prestigious award, which is named after Pro Football Hall of Famer Don Shula, the winningest coach in NFL history. The coaches are judged based upon areas in which Coach Shula excelled during his career – 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,” said Roman Oben, NFL vice president of football development. “Don Shula was one of the games 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.” The NFL will recognize one winner from each conference, AFC and NFC, to be announced the week prior to the 2026 Pro Bowl Games and Super Bowl LX. These two winners will be invited to attend the 2026 Pro Bowl Games and Super Bowl LX in the San Francisco Bay Area 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 accommodation, including on-field access for the Pro Bowl Games on Tuesday, Feb. 3, a chance to interact with and engage with various members of the football community and attend Super Bowl LX as special guests of the NFL. Jersey Mike’s, the presenting partner, and the NFL Foundation have teamed up to provide the two winners with 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 winners will also be recognized and walk the red carpet at NFL Honors presented by Invisalign, an Align Technology brand, on Thursday, Feb. 5 at 9 p.m. ET at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. NFL Honors will be televised on NBC and NFL Network, with streaming available on Peacock and NFL+. “The 32 coaches nominated for the 2025 Don Shula High School Coach of the Year Award embody the values that make football such a powerful force in our communities — leadership, integrity and a commitment to shaping young lives,” said Alexia Gallagher, NFL VP of Philanthropy and Executive Director of the NFL Foundation. “The NFL Foundation is proud to support programs year-round that strengthen youth and high school football across the country, ensuring that the game continues to inspire and unite the next generation of players, coaches, and fans. Congratulations to all of this year’s incredible nominees for the difference they make in their communities every day.” The Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year winners are selected by a panel of distinguished individuals:
Below is a full list of the 2025 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.
Media Contact: Sam Drexler, NFL; Sam.Drexler@nfl.com 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 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. Over the past half-century, the NFL Foundation has emerged as one of the leading philanthropic entities in America, contributing to NFL team communities, national and international disaster relief efforts, and societal issues. For more information on the NFL Foundation, visit: http://www.NFLFoundation.org. |
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