Oak Grove’s Ryan Gregory Finalist for NFL’s High School Coach of the Year Award
The NFL announced all 32 nominations for the 2021 Don Shula High School Coach of the Year Award on Thursday, and the New Orleans Saints nominated Oak Grove head coach Ryan Gregory, who led his squad to its second consecutive Class 1A state championship in 2020.
Gregory has done a tremendous job of keeping the Tigers’ historic legacy intact since taking over the program in 2014. He has led Oak Grove to three consecutive state title appearances and at least an appearance in the semifinals six times in his seven years at the helm. He owns a 71-20 overall record and has two state championships and a runner-up title to his credit.
The coaches were recognized by their local NFL club for their character and integrity, leadership, dedication to the community, commitment to player health and safety and on-field success.
“This year’s 32 Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year nominees represent the crucial role that high school football coaches play in positively shaping the character of players,” said NFL Vice President of Philanthropy and Executive Director of the NFL Foundation, Alexia Gallagher. “We are proud to honor these coaches who have provided exemplary mentorship to student-athletes both on and off the field.”
Two finalists will be selected and a winner will be announced this summer. Nike, a presenting partner, and the NFL Foundation will award $12,500 to the Don Shula Award winner while the associated High School football program will be awarded $17,500.
The second finalist will receive $7,500 while the associated High School football program will be awarded $12,500. In addition, the other 30 finalists will receive $1,000 each.
2021 Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year nominees.
| TEAM | COACH | HIGH SCHOOL |
| Arizona Cardinals | Rick Garretson | Chandler High School |
| Atlanta Falcons | Derrick Avery | Booker T. Washington High School |
| Baltimore Ravens | Emanuel Glover | Reginald F. Lewis High School |
| Buffalo Bills | Derek Annechino | Aquinas Institute |
| Carolina Panthers | Jupiter Wilson | Hickory Ridge High School |
| Chicago Bears | Robert Moynihan | Harlem High School |
| Cincinnati Bengals | Travis Pendleton | Ironton |
| Cleveland Browns | Marty Gibbons | Lake Catholic High School |
| Dallas Cowboys | Rodney McLain | Poteet High School |
| Denver Broncos | Zac Lemon | Eaton High School |
| Detroit Lions | Rob Zimmerman | Dewitt (MI) High School |
| Green Bay Packers | Tom Chase | Randolph High School |
| Houston Texans | Jon Kay | North Shore Senior High School |
| Indianapolis Colts | Eric Moore | Center Grove |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | Adam Geis | Sandalwood High School |
| Kansas City Chiefs | Tom Radke | Saint James Academy |
| Las Vegas Raiders | Jon Hicks | Las Vegas High School |
| Los Angeles Chargers | Gabriel Arellano | Montebello High School |
| Los Angeles Rams | Lorenzo Hernandez | Garfield High School |
| Miami Dolphins | Earl Sims | Gulliver Preparatory School |
| Minnesota Vikings | Rex Metzger | Hills-Beaver Creek High School |
| New England Patriots | Manny Lopez | Norwood High School |
| New Orleans Saints | Ryan Gregory | Oak Grove High School |
| New York Giants | Benjie Wimberly | Hackensack High School (N.J.) |
| New York Jets | Robert Gogerty | Cedar Grove High School |
| Philadelphia Eagles | Al Crosby | Saint John Neumann and Maria Goretti Catholic High School |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | Mark Lyons | Central Valley High School |
| San Francisco 49ers | Joe Bates | Skyline High School |
| Seattle Seahawks | Rick Steele | Hockinson High School |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Chris Davidson | Ridge Community High School |
| Tennessee Titans | Keith Henry | Coalfield High School |
| Washington Football Team | Eric Ludden | Massaponax High School |