Brownsburg head coach John Hart is in a class by himself in Indiana high school football history. He’s the only coach to ever win state championships at three different schools.
After leading Brownsburg to the 6A high school football title in November, Hart is the 2024 Indianapolis Colts High School Coach of the Year and the team’s finalist for the prestigious Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year Award.
Coach Hart and the other Shula Award finalists are judged for characteristics and character traits Coach Shula exhibited during his career – character, integrity, leadership, dedication to the community, commitment to player health and safety, and on-field success.
The NFL will recognize one winner from the region near an NFL club in each conference, AFC and NFC. These two winners will be invited to the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, Fla., on Sunday, Feb. 2, 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 accommodations to attend the Pro Bowl Games practices for both conferences, on-field access on Sunday for the culmination of the Pro Bowl Games, and a chance to interact and engage with various members of the football community.
Related: ’24 Finalists for Shula Award
The NFL Foundation and Nike have teamed up to provide the two winners a $15,000 award for their high school football programs and a $10,000 cash award. The other 30 club nominees will all receive a $1,000 cash award. The two winners will also attend Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans as special guests of the NFL. The Don Shula Award winners will be announced in the week prior to the 2025 Pro Bowl Games, televised on Sunday, Feb. 2, from 3-6 p.m. ET on ESPN, ABC, and ESPN Deportes. The winners will also be recognized and walk the red carpet at NFL Honors, a two-hour primetime awards special to air nationally on Saturday, Feb. 8, at 9 p.m. ET on FOX.
During his nine years at Brownsburg, Hart is 82-19. This year’s championship was the first for Brownsburg since 1985. As a result, the Bulldogs finished No. 1 in the High School Football America Indiana Top 10 and No. 79 in our national rankings, powered by NFL Play Football.
In addition to Brownsburg, Hart has led Evansville Reitz and Warren Central to Indiana high school football championships.
Hart’s overall record is 348-101.
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
