There were many victories on the field for Indian Rocks Christian head coach Mark Buchanan in 2022. But, the biggest win was his return to the sidelines for the Golden Eagles.
After five years away from coaching as he battled cancer, Buchanan was back as the team’s head coach in 2022. He led the school to a 9-2 record and a playoff berth in Florida’s 1M classification.
As a result of his wins on-and-off the field, Coach Buchanan is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2022 High School Coach of the Year. He’s now a finalist for the Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year Award.
Buchanan became the school’s head coach in 2005. Then, during his 13th season, he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and he stepped-down as the program’s leader. His battle with cancer ended after a stem cell transplant from his daughter. He’s been cancer free for over 2-and-a-half years.
Below is a story on Buchanan’s return to high school football from FOX 13:
Buchanan was also named the Bucs Week 1 Coach of the Week.
2022 Tampa Bay Buccaneers HS Coach of the Week Winners
Week 9 – David Sevier, King HS
Week 8 – Reggie Crume, Calvary Christian HS
Week 7 – Max Smith, Pinellas Park HS
Week 6 – Chris Harvey, Clearwater Central Catholic HS
Week 5 – Daryl Stewart, Brandon HS
Week 4 – Mike Mullaney, Palm Harbor University HS
Week 3- Mike Garofano, Springstead HS
Week 2 – Jacquez Green, Manatee HS
Week 1 – Mark Buchanan, Indian Rocks Christian
For the first time, the NFL will recognize two winners for the Shula Award, one from each conference, AFC and NFC. The two winners will be invited to the Pro Bowl Games in Las Vegas on February 5th and will be recognized in special ways during the NFL’s week-long celebration of football.
