Interview: NFC Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year Shane Fairfield of Muskegon

Muskegon head football coach Shane Fairfield is still celebrating the 2023 high school football season. Fairfield led the Big Reds to Michigan’s Division 2 state championship and a No. 271 ranking in the High School Football America 300 national rankings, powered by NFL Play Football. 

The outstanding season was capped with Fairfield being named the winner of the NFC’s Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year Award. The Detroit Lions nominated him for the award.

Related: Interview with AFC Shula Award Winner Andy Lowry

The Shula Award honors 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.

The NFL Foundation, in partnership with Nike, awarded Fairfield and AFC Shula Award winner Andy Lowry of Columbine High School in Colorado 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 Fairfield about the historic program’s 900th all-time win in ’23 and the importance of the Muskegon football program in the western Michigan community.