Dylen Smith Named 2025 AFC Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year

In a season defined by unimaginable challenges, Dylen Smith, head coach of Palisades Charter High School, is the 2025 AFC Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year. Nominated by the Los Angeles Chargers, Smith's selection celebrates not just on-field success, but extraordinary leadership in the face of adversity.

The award, named after the legendary Hall of Fame coach with the most wins in NFL history, recognizes outstanding high school coaches who embody character, integrity, leadership, community commitment, player safety, and on-field excellence. From 32 nominees—one from each NFL team—a panel including Pro Football Hall of Famers Tony Dungy and Peyton Manning selected Smith as the AFC recipient.

Smith's honor stems from guiding the Dolphins through the January 2025 wildfires that ravaged the Pacific Palisades community, destroying the team's stadium, field, facilities, and much of their equipment. The Dolphins became "nomads," traveling daily to borrowed fields and practicing with minimal—or sometimes no—gear. All the 2025 games were played on the road, even the home contests.

Under Smith's steady leadership, the team turned hardship into triumph. The Dolphins posted a perfect 10-0 regular season, winning the Western League and advancing into the playoffs. Smith's ability to foster resilience, discipline, and unity transformed potential heartbreak into inspiration.

This award brings tangible rewards: $15,000 to the Palisades football program and a $10,000 personal grant for Coach Smith. He also will take part in celebrations during the 2026 Pro Bowl Games and Super Bowl LX.

Prior to heading to Santa Clara, California for events such as NFL Honors, High School Football America's Jeff Fisher talked with Coach Smith, who detailed how many obstacles his program had to overcome throughout 2025.