Interview: Andy Lowry, Columbine HS, 2023 AFC Don Shula Award Winner

2023 was an incredible year for Columbine High School head football coach Andy Lowry, who’s served as the Rebels’ head coach for 30 years.

It began with Lowry winning his 300th career game in September. Then in December, he led the Littleton, Colorado school to a 5A state championship, the sixth in his legendary career. The cherry on the sundae came earlier this month when he was named the AFC’s Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year.

This honor is given to the high school football coaches who best represent character, integrity, leadership, dedication to the community, commitment to player protection and on-field success, in honor of the late Don Shula, the winningest coach in NFL history. Lowry was the Denver Broncos nominee for the award.

The NFL Foundation, in partnership with Nike, awarded Lowry and NFC Shula Award winner Shane Fairfield of Muskegon High School in Michigan with $15,000 grants for each of their high school football programs. Additionally, each coach was given a $10,000 cash prize. Both were guests of the NFL at the 2024 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando and Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. They were also recognized at NFL Honors.

Below, High School Football America’s Jeff Fisher talks with Coach Lowry about a magical season that finished with his team finishing No. 258 in the HSFA 300 national rankings, powered by NFL Play Football, and his surprise with winning the Shula Award.