Updates

The NFL has named Boys and Girls High School Coach Clive Harding and Maine-Endwell High School Coach Matt Gallagher as the AFC and NFC recipients of the 2022 NFL Don Shula High School Coach of the Year Award.

For the first time, the NFL recognized the top high school coach from each conference as nominated by their respective NFL clubs. The honor is given to the high school football coaches that best represents character, integrity, leadership, dedication to the community, commitment to player protection and on-field success, in honor of the late Don Shula, the winningest coach in NFL history.

Harding, of Boys and Girls High School in Brooklyn, NY, was nominated by the New York Jets to represent the AFC.

A retired New York City police officer and first responder who has always put others before himself, Harding has coached at Boys and Girls High School in Brooklyn since 2009 and this year, led his team to an undefeated 10-0 season. Harding coaches his team for life beyond football. Throughout the season, his team has mock interviews and career prep, so they are prepared for job interviews and college recruiters. He cares about education and setting academic goals for all of his players. He checks in with their teachers and counselors to ensure they are on track for graduation and have a variety of colleges to choose from. He wants the best for every individual and says the most rewarding part of coaching is seeing his players become successful young men.

Harding, in partnership with the Jets, has taken part in an annual helmet reconditioning program, since the early 2000s. He coaches and implements fundamentally sound tackling skills into their practices to improve player health and reduce unnecessary risk. Only a fraction of Harding's coaching takes place on the field: the rest is focused on building his players’ character to be genuine and kind people.

“My reward is seeing the success they have after high school — playing college football, earning their degrees, getting their first job,” said Harding. “Every year, I have the opportunity to impact students not only on the football field but preparing them for life.”

Gallagher, of Maine-Endwell High School in Endwell, NY, was nominated by the New York Giants. He led his team to a second consecutive state championship after a 13-0 season, compiling a 140-24 record in 15 seasons, winning six state championships.

Off the field, the high school football team is connected to the youth football program, with Spartans players and coaches helping coach area youth. The football team’s community impact includes raking leaves, shoveling snow, setting up events at the high school, and serving as mentors for elementary school students.

As a USA Football-certified master trainer since 2015, Gallagher travels throughout the region, assisting with clinics for coaches and kids to make the game better and reduce unnecessary risk for everyone. He has led numerous clinics and coaching certifications, including teaching Heads Up Football, Stop it Now!, and InSide Out Coaching. He worked on USA Football’s creation of the football development model to prioritize the development of young athletes by allowing them to learn the game and related skills in a progression that best suits them and served on a committee for the age and skill assignments within the model.

“I love football and I love coaching football,” said Gallagher. “But most importantly, I believe football is a vehicle to teach young students perseverance, respect, integrity, and the many characteristics that make us good people and contributing members of our community.”

All 32 NFL teams selected a nominee for the award, which was chosen by a panel that features Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning, Super Bowl XXXVII champion and NFL Vice President of Football Development Roman Oben, former NFL general manager and analyst Scott Pioli, Executive Director of USA Football Scott Hallenbeck, and former NFL coach and son of the late coach Shula, Dave Shula, among others.

In partnership with Nike, Harding and Gallagher will each receive $15,000 for their high school football programs and each coach will receive a $10,000 cash prize. They also assisted with coaching on the sidelines at the 2023 Pro Bowl Games in Las Vegas, will attend Super Bowl LVII in Arizona, and will be recognized at NFL Honors.