About the Program

The Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year award honors high school football coaches that demonstrate the integrity, achievement, and leadership exemplified by the winningest coach in NFL history, Don Shula.

We are very fortunate that many NFL players have benefited from coaches who have positively influenced their lives; this program is one way that the NFL and its players can recognize and support these special individuals.

Nominations will be judged solely on the narrative provided to us by clubs and coaches. Questionnaires will close December 2nd, so please complete the questionnaire prior to that date.

The NFL will select 2 (TWO) winners, one from each conference AFC/NFC. These two winners will again be honored by traveling to the Pro Bowl and Super Bowl LVIII. 

As with last year this application process has been combined. It is the expectation that each club works with their coach to complete the information in this application and submit it in a timely manner. We will not be able to consider your coach for the award if this application is not completed and submitted by the deadline. 

Who Can Apply

Application Requirements:

In order to be considered eligible for this award program, the following requirements apply:

• The coach must be a High School coach that was nominated by NFL Club Personnel as one of your 2024 High School Coach of the Week winners
• All coach nominees should demonstrate a commitment to the health and safety of their players as well as the exemplary characteristics of the late Coach Don Shula
• Coaches must be in good standing and should also be pulled from the pool of past or current Coach of the Week winners.
• Clubs cannot nominate past National Winners of the Don Shula Coach of the Year Award. Once a coach has won the National Award, he is no longer eligible to receive the award again.
• **Clubs may not nominate coaches posthumously. All nominees must be current HEAD COACHES at their respective schools. Legacy coaches will not be considered.
• Each NFL team must WORK WITH THE NOMINATED COACH to complete an application for their NFL Coach of the Year winner from the Coach of the Week program.
• In order to assist the voting panel in their selection process, we first need to collect some information from each nominee. Please consult your nominee and complete the following questionnaire, as well as provide any additional information about the nominee that may be helpful to our panel members.
• Nominations will be judged solely on the narrative provided to us.

Important Dates

• All Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year nomination ballots must be submitted to the NFL Foundation through the online G.A.M.S system by December 2nd, 2024.
• Questionnaires will close December 2nd so please complete the questionnaire prior to that date and provide all requested information.