Tim Quinn Named High School Coach of the Year by the Philadelphia Eagles

One of the driving forces behind the growth of girls' flag football in Pennsylvania is the 2025 Philadelphia Eagles High School Coach of the Year. The National Football League team has named Tim Quinn, the head coach at Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School, as its COTY, which makes him a finalist for the prestigious Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year Award.

Coach Quinn was surprised with the award by Eagles running back Saquon Barkley.

After founding Athena Athletics in 2018 as a grassroots girls' flag initiative, Quinn's guidance and passion for the sport transformed the startup with only eight participants into a thriving program serving over 350 athletes. As the head coach, Quinn has led teams to multiple national championship appearances, including winning the 2023 NFL Flag 14U National Championship and appearing in both the USA Football 2024 18U National Championship and the 2025 18U AAU/SHS World Championship.

"Tim Quinn is a passionate leader who has dedicated himself to growing the game for girls at the youth level," said Brendan Clark, Coordinator, Youth Football and Community Relations, Philadelphia Eagles. "Through boots-on-the-ground outreach and support, Tim played an integral role in establishing girls' flag as an officially sanctioned sport in the Commonwealth. His vision and unwavering commitment continue to inspire the next generation of athletes, and we're proud to nominate Tim as our 2025 Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year honoree."

In 2022, Quinn stepped in to coach Gwynedd Mercy Academy's first-ever girls' flag football team. Across three seasons, Quinn has led the Monarchs to a 33-3-2 record, multiple Philadelphia Eagles Girls Flag Football Pennsylvania Final Four appearances, two Championship bids, and the 2025 Championship title.

Quinn also served as the 2024 USA Football Northeast Regional Director for Flag Football, responsible for assembling six elite teams that competed nationally in USA Football's Select Bowl.

Gwynedd Mercy Academy will be awarded $5,500 by the Eagles in recognition of Coach Quinn's nomination.

The Shula Award is given to an AFC and NFC high school coach who demonstrates the integrity, achievement and leadership exemplified by Don Shula, the winningest coach in NFL history.

Below, Coach Quinn talks with High School Football America's Jeff Fisher about being at the forefront of girls' flag football in Pennsylvania and the surprise of being honored by the Eagles.