FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (Nov. 15, 2010) - The Patriots are looking for New England's most dedicated football coach.
The NFL has established the Don Shula Award to honor one football coach who displays the integrity, achievement, and leadership exemplified by the winningest coach in NFL history. Active coaches at all levels - including college, high school, and youth coaches - are eligible for the award. Each NFL team has the opportunity to submit a nominee, and the Patriots are asking fans to make suggestions.
Nominees for the Coach Shula Award will display the same qualities as the award's namesake, including:
- Serving as a teacher and mentor, positively influencing the lives of players on and off the field
- Displaying great character and integrity
- Demonstrating inspirational leadership
- Demonstrating a commitment to the community at-large
- Achieving on-field success
Fans who know a coach in New England who fits the above criteria should submit a detailed description of why the coach is deserving of being named the NFL's Inaugural Don Shula Award winner at coachshulaaward@patriots.com. In addition to examples of why the coach is the most dedicated in New England, submissions should include the coach's contact information and basic coaching history. Nominations must be submitted by November 26, 2010.
A committee of Patriots staff will identify a single coach from the submissions to be New England's nominee for the award.
The NFL will announce the inaugural Coach Shula Award at Super Bowl XLV in North Texas.
