A state championship has led to Centennial head coach Mike Diggins being the 2023 Minnesota Vikings High School Coach of the Year. He’s also now a finalist for the prestigious Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year Award.
Diggins has been coaching football for 32 years, all of which he has spent at Centennial High School. 14 of those years he has served as head coach. In 2023, Diggins led his team to a 12-1 record. The team clinched their first state championship title at U.S. Bank Stadium when they defeated Edina after stopping their attempt at a 2-point conversion that would have decided the game as time ran out at the end of the 4th quarter.
“Diggins takes pride in watching his players develop into positive role models for the youth in their community, in addition to seeing at-risk kids become better students, leaders, and players on the field and in the community. Diggins has built a culture of unity through emphasizing four main characteristics: enthusiasm, trust, respect, and commitment. Off the field, Coach Diggins teaches physical education. He was inducted into the Centennial Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Alumni for his endeavors of inclusiveness in his teachings of Adapted Physical Education.”
Minnesota Vikings
The Shula Award salutes high school coaches for their character and integrity, leadership, dedication to the community, commitment to player health and safety and on-field success.
The National Football League will select two Shula Award winners, one from each conference (AFC/NFC). The winners will be honored at the Pro Bowl and Super Bowl LVIII. Nike supports this program by providing the two Don Shula Award winners with $10,000 each, and their high school football programs each with $15,000. Additionally, the other 30 finalists will receive $1,000.
About the Minnesota Vikings High School Coach of the Week Award
After each week of games during the high school football season, the Vikings honor a high school coach of the week. Coaches are chosen based on their contribution on the football field, but more importantly, on the impact they make within their community and for their student-athletes. In addition to being recognized in local media for the achievement, the school’s football program receives a $1,000 donation on behalf of the Minnesota Vikings.
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2023 Minnesota Vikings HS Coach of the Week Winners
Week 8 – Mike Empting, Alexandria HS
Week 7 – Sam Thompson, St. Agnes HS
Week 6 – Matt Lombardi, Maple Grove HS
Week 4 – Jason Marsh, Cherry HS
Week 3 – Chris Mensink, Fillmore Central HS
Week 2 – Cullen Nelson, Chanhassen HS
Week 1 – Jason Freed, Brainerd HS
