NFL Announced Nominees for 2025 Don Shula High School Coach of the Year Award

Today, the NFL announced the 32 nominees for the 2025 Don Shula High School Coach of the Year Award, recognizing excellence in high school football coaching across the nation.

These distinguished coaches will be celebrated by their local NFL clubs for this prestigious honor, which bears the name of Pro Football Hall of Famer Don Shula, the NFL's all-time winningest coach. Nominees are evaluated on the same principles that defined Coach Shula's legendary career: character, integrity, leadership, community dedication, commitment to player health and safety, and on-field success.

"High school football coaches serve as dedicated leaders who shape the lives of young players across the country each year," said Roman Oben, NFL Vice President of Football Development. "Don Shula was one of the game's most celebrated coaches because of the countless lives he impacted both on and off the field. Today, the NFL honors these 32 Don Shula High School Coach of the Year nominees, each exemplifying the integrity, commitment, and character that Coach Shula embodied."

The NFL will recognize two winners—one from each conference—to be announced during the week leading up to the 2026 Pro Bowl Games and Super Bowl LX. These winners will receive invitations to attend both events in the San Francisco Bay Area and will be honored throughout the NFL's week-long celebration of football. The coaches will enjoy VIP treatment and accommodations, including on-field access for the Pro Bowl Games on Tuesday, February 3, opportunities to connect with members of the football community, and attendance at Super Bowl LX as special guests of the NFL.

Through a partnership between presenting sponsor Jersey Mike's and the NFL Foundation, the two winners will receive $15,000 for their high school football programs plus a $10,000 cash award. The remaining 30 club nominees will each receive a $1,000 cash award. The winners will also be recognized on the red carpet at NFL Honors presented by Invisalign, an Align Technology brand, on Thursday, February 5, at 9 p.m. ET at San Francisco's Palace of Fine Arts. NFL Honors will air 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 an unwavering 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 year-round programs that strengthen youth and high school football nationwide, ensuring the game continues to inspire and unite the next generation of players, coaches, and fans. Congratulations to all of this year's exceptional nominees for the positive impact they make in their communities every day."

The Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year winners are selected by a distinguished panel that includes:

• 2024 Don Shula NFL Coach of the Year Award AFC Winner John Hart
• 2024 Don Shula NFL Coach of the Year Award NFC Winner Bill Jacklin
• NFL analyst and former front office executive Scott Pioli
• Pro Football Hall of Famer and current ESPN contributor Peyton Manning
• Pro Football Hall of Fame coach and current NBC analyst Tony Dungy
• Executive Director of USA Football Scott Hallenbeck
• Former All-Pro cornerback and NFL consultant Bobby Taylor
• NFL Legend and NFL Network analyst Michael Robinson
• Aplington-Parkersburg High School Principal Aaron Thomas, son of the school's late football coach, Ed Thomas
• NFL Legend, former NFL head coach, and son of the late Coach Shula, Dave Shula
• Nike Brand Director of Grass Roots and Team Scott Henson

Below is the complete list of 2025 Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year nominees.