High School Football America is proud to announce that former NFL defensive back Patrick Surtain, Sr. is the 2020 National High School Football Coach of the Year. The award is presented jointly with our partners at the National High School Coaches Association.
This past season, Surtain led American Heritage (Plantation) to the Florida 5A state championship, the school’s third overall under the direction of the former Surtain, who spent 11 seasons in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs. Surtain took-over the American Heritage program in 2016 after serving as the team’s defensive coordinator for three seasons, during which time the Patriots won another state title.
In addition to being one of the top programs in the State of Florida, AH has become a regular in the national rankings. All five of his teams have finished the year ranked in the High School Football America (“HSFA”) national rankings. This past season, the Patriots were ranked No. 20 in the High School Football America 100. American Heritage’s highest ranking was in 2017 when it finished No. 6 in the nation in the HSFA rankings. The 2016 state championship team was ranked No. 14 in America by High School Football America.
Surtain is the fourth football coach from Florida to be honored by the NHSCA. Miami Central’s Roland Smith won the award for the 2014 season. George Smith of St. Thomas Aquinas was honored in 2010-11 school year and the late Charles “Corky” Rogers of The Bolles School was our first honoree during the 2004-2005 sports year.
Coach Surtain will receive a beautiful plaque and also be honored in National High School Digital Sports Hall of Fame that is currently under development.
Other finalists for this year’s award were Bobby Acosta of IMG Academy (Florida), Kevin Creasy of Oakland (Tennessee), Todd Dodge of Westlake (Texas) Eric Kjar of Corner Canyon (Utah), Roger Harriott of St. Thomas Aquinas (Florida), Jim Hightower of St. Thomas More (Louisiana), Jon Kay of North Shore (Texas) and Eric Moore of Center Grove (Indiana).
Past High School Football America/National High School Coaches Association HS Football Coach of the Year Award Winners
2020-2021 – Patrick Surtain, Sr. – American Heritage School, Plantation, Florida
2019-2020 – Tom Knotts – Dutch Fork HS, South Carolina
2018-2019 – Gabe Infante – St. Joseph’s Prep, Pennsylvania
2017-2018 – Bob Beatty – Trinity HS, Kentucky
2016-2017 – Bruce Rollinson – Mater Dei HS, California
2015-2016 – Gary Joseph – Katy HS, Texas
2014-2015 – Roland Smith – Miami Central HS, Florida
2013-2014 – Tom Westerberg – Allen HS, Texas
2012-2013 – J.T. Curtis – John Curtis HS, Louisiana
2011-2012 – Chuck Lenahan – Plymouth HS, New Hampshire
2010-2011 – George Smith – St. Thomas Aquinas HS, Florida
2009-2010 – Jeremy Williams – Greenville HS, Georgia
2008-2009 – John McKissick – Summerville HS, South Carolina
2007-2008 – James Drewry – Booneville HS, Mississippi
2006-2007 – Gary Rankin – Alcoa HS, Tennessee
2005-2006 – Randy Allen – Highland Park HS, Texas
2004-2005 – Charles “Corky” Roger – The Bolles School, Florida
2003-2004 – Bob Ladouceur – De La Salle HS, California
2002-2003 – Chris Jones – Heritage HS, Virginia
2001-2002 – Alan Trimble – Jenks HS, Oklahoma
2000-2001 – Bob Ladouceur – De La Salle HS, California
1999-2000 – Mike Pettine, Sr. – Central Bucks West, Pennsylvania
