Updates

The 32 nominees for the 2025 Don Shula High School Coach of the Year Award have been announced, representing the best in coaching at the high school football level.

The coaches will be celebrated by their local NFL clubs for the prestigious award, named after Pro Football Hall of Famer Don Shula, the winningest coach in NFL history. Coaches are judged based upon areas in which Coach Shula excelled during his career — character, integrity, leadership, dedication to the community, commitment to player health and safety and on-field success.

“High school football coaches serve as leaders dedicated to shaping the lives of young high school players across the country every year,” said Roman Oben, NFL Vice President of Football Development. “Don Shula was one of the game’s most celebrated coaches because of the people he impacted on and off the field. Today the NFL honors the 32 Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year nominees, as each exemplifies the integrity, commitment and character of Coach Shula.”

One winner from the AFC and one from the NFC will be announced the week before the 2026 Pro Bowl Games and Super Bowl LX. These two winners will be invited to attend the 2026 Pro Bowl Games and Super Bowl LX in the San Francisco Bay Area and will be recognized in special ways during the NFL’s week-long celebration of football. Throughout the week, coaches will receive VIP access and accommodation, including on-field access for the Pro Bowl Games on Tuesday, Feb. 3, a chance to interact with and engage with various members of the football community and attend Super Bowl LX as special guests of the NFL.

Jersey Mike’s, the presenting partner, and the NFL Foundation have teamed up to provide the two winners with a $15,000 award for their high school football programs and a $10,000 cash award. The other 30 club nominees will each receive a $1,000 cash award. The winners will also be recognized and walk the red carpet at NFL Honors presented by Invisalign, an Align Technology brand, on Thursday, Feb. 5 at 9 p.m. ET at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco.

"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 a commitment to shaping young lives," said Alexia Gallagher, NFL Vice President of Philanthropy and Executive Director of the NFL Foundation. "The NFL Foundation is proud to support programs year-round that strengthen youth and high school football across the country, ensuring that the game continues to inspire and unite the next generation of players, coaches and fans. Congratulations to all of this year's incredible nominees for the difference they make in their communities every day."

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

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

Below is a full list of the 2025 Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year Award nominees. For more information on the NFL Foundation, visit nflfoundation.org or follow @NFLFoundation on X.