The list of nominees for the 2017 Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year Award is a distinguished one.
Don Shula Award nominees come from all 32 NFL teams. All of the coaches will be invited and recognized during the NFL’s week-long celebration of football at the 2018 Pro Bowl in Orlando. The coaches will participate in a special coaches’ clinic, enjoy a VIP visit to Pro Bowl practices and attend the USA Football National Conference.
“High school football coaches serve as role models for young athletes and their impact goes well beyond the playing field,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “We are proud to honor this year’s nominees who embody the character, integrity and spirit of Coach Shula. Their commitment to improving the lives of students and developing young men of character is commendable.”
Two finalists will each receive $15,000 from the NFL Foundation, $10,000 of which will go to their high school’s football program. The Don Shula Award winner will be announced during the 2018 Pro Bowl, airing Sunday, Jan. 28 at 3 P.M. ET on ESPN.
2017 Don Shula NFL High School Football COY Nominees
Arizona Cardinals: Jason Mohns, Saguaro High School
Atlanta Falcons: Bill Stewart, North Gwinnett High School
Baltimore Ravens: Timothy Palmer, Harford Technical High School
Buffalo Bills: Mike Vastola, West Seneca West High School
Carolina Panthers: Andrew Webb, Clinton High School
Chicago Bears: Derek Leonard, Rochester High School
Cincinnati Bengals: Eddie Eviston, Covington Catholic High School
Cleveland Browns: Ron Rutt, Bay High School
Dallas Cowboys: Jeffrey Rayburn, Frisco Lone Star High School
Denver Broncos: Ryan Goddard, Pueblo South High School
Detroit Lions: Mike Giannone, Warren De La Salle Collegiate High School
Green Bay Packers: Steve Jones, Kimberly High School
Houston Texans: Brian Fitzgerald, Oak Ridge High School
Indianapolis Colts: Mike Kirschner, Ben Davis High School
Jacksonville Jaguars: Darrell Sutherland, Bartram Trail High School
Kansas City Chiefs: Phil Lite, Staley High School (Missouri); Brian King, DeSoto High School (Kansas)
Los Angeles Chargers: Robert Garrett, Crenshaw High School
Los Angeles Rams: Bob Johnson, Mission Viejo High School
Miami Dolphins: Pat Surtain, American Heritage School
Minnesota Vikings: Chad Sexauer, South St. Paul
New England Patriots: Paul Funk, Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School
New Orleans Saints: Brandon Walters, West St. John High School
New York Giants: Matt Parzero, Newton High School
New York Jets: Jason Mollison, Franklin K. Lane Campus High School
Oakland Raiders: George Jackson, Kennedy High School
Philadelphia Eagles: Michael Matta, Downington High School
Pittsburgh Steelers: Jerry Veshio, Quaker Valley High School
San Francisco 49ers: Jubenal Rodriquez, Gilroy High School
Seattle Seahawks: Wiley Allred, Royal High School
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Nate Varnadore, Citrus High School
Tennessee Titans: Cody White, Brentwood Academy
Washington Redskins: Billy Mills, Dinwiddie High School
Past Winners
2016 – Randy Allen, Highland Park (Texas)
2015 – Michael Burnett, Tuscarora (Virginia)
2014 – Bruce Larson, Somerset (Wisconsin)
2013 – Mike Grant, Eden Prairie (Minnesota)
2012 – Steve Specht, St. Xavier (Ohio)
2011 – John McKissick, Summerville (South Carolina)
2010 – Ray Seals, Madison (Houston, Texas)