John Hart of Brownsburg High School in Indiana is the AFC winner of the NFL’s 2024 Don Shula High School Coach of the Year award. This past season, Hart led Brownsburg to its first state championship since the mid-80’s. The 6A title led the Bulldogs to being ranked No. 79 in the High School Football America 300 national rankings, powered by NFL Play Football.
The NFL selected Hart, as well as a coach representing the NFC, from among the 32 club nominees based on character, integrity, leadership, community service, commitment to player health and safety and on-field success. Hart is the Indianapolis Colts nominee for the award.
Hart will attend to the Pro Bowl Games in Orlando and Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans to enjoy VIP access to events, practices and other celebrations of football, as well as engage with various members of the NFL community.
In addition, Hart will receive a $10,000 prize and a $15,000 grant for the Brownsburg football program, courtesy of the NFL Foundation and Nike.
“Coach Hart represents the qualities and values exemplified by Coach Shula, and we’re very proud a Hoosier football coach was selected among all AFC nominees to represent the Colts, his school and his community in front of the entire NFL world,” said Colts legend and current Football Development Commissioner Mike Prior.
“I am thankful, humbled and honored to have been nominated by the Colts for the Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year,” Hart said. “I will be forever grateful to Brownsburg High School and the Brownsburg community for trusting, believing and supporting my staff as well as the past and present football players.
“I would like to thank the Indianapolis Colts for their continued support of promoting high school football in the state of Indiana,” he added. “Not too many years ago, Mr. Irsay, Coach Dungy, Peyton Manning and the entire Colts organization created an environment that has helped make high school football in Indiana more than just a game.”
The Colts recognized Hart last month as the 2024 Colts Coach of the Year, presented by Indianapolis-based Corteva Agriscience and sponsored in part by Certor Sports.
After that honor, Hart talked with him about the honor.
Hart is the only coach to ever win state championships at three different schools. His lifetime record is 348-101. During his nine years at Brownsburg, Hart is 82-19.
2024 Colts HS Coach of the Week Winners
Week 10 – Todd Wilkerson, Heritage Hills HS
Week 9 – Tyler Bless, Plainfield HS
Week 8 – Logan Haston, Columbus North HS
Week 7 – John Hurley, Evansville Memorial HS
Week 6 – Eric Moore – Center Grove HS
Week 5 – Kyle Buresh, Mississinewa HS
Week 4- Brian Dugger, Martinsville HS
Week 3 – Tim Able, Triton Central HS
Week 2 – Keith Kinder, Mishawaka HS
Week 1 – Chris DePew, Garrett HS
