NFL High School Coach of the Year: True Fabric of Football
Troy Vincent has always had a fondness for Don Shula. The same way Greg Scruggs has had for Steve Specht.
Vincent, a five-time Pro Bowl cornerback and now the NFL’s Vice President of Player Engagement, was selected by Shula and the Miami Dolphins in the first round of the 1992 draft out of the University of Wisconsin.
Scruggs, a rookie defensive end for the Seattle Seahawks, played for Specht at St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Saturday morning it all came together when Specht was named the recipient of The Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year Award.
“The Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year Award was created to honor exemplary football coaches at all levels of the sport that display the integrity, achievement, and leadership demonstrated by the winningest coach in NFL history, Don Shula,’’ Vincent said.
In his 15 NFL seasons, Vincent played for several head coaches, including Ray Rhodes, Andy Reid, Mike Mularkey, and Joe Gibbs, but he’ll never forget his first.
“From the time coach picked me up at the airport after the draft and drove me to the St Thomas practice facility, he has been a lifetime coach--transferring those valuable life lessons on conduct, character, and leadership,’’ Vincent said. "Coach not only has been a wonderful mentor, he has been a constant voice of reason during and after my playing experience."
The coaches nominated this year were selected by NFL teams. Nominees were chosen for their character, inspirational leadership, commitment to the community, and on-field success. In an era where the high school coach is becoming less relevant, the NFL is committed to showing and appreciating the value of the high school coach, his dedication and commitment to his community.
Scruggs, of the Seahawks, nominated Specht, who as the Shula Award winner, will receive $25,000, $15,000 of which will go to the St. Xavier High School program.
“He has meant the world to me,’’ Scruggs said of Specht. “He is the reason I am where I am today. “He instilled, not just in me, but in all of us, the discipline and the confidence to succeed. And not just in football, but the qualities to be a good man, a good husband, a good father.
“He treated all of us like we were his kids. He was a parent to us. He would have 132 kids every year and he treated us that way. I can say enough about Coach Specht and I’m so happy for him to win this award.’’
Specht is the kind of role model high school kids need.
“I am honored to be here today to present an award in my name,’’ Shula said. “Throughout my coaching career, my goal was always to teach the value of integrity and character, even while focusing on winning each game.
“I couldn’t be happier about Coach Specht as this year’s winner. He displays the leadership, mentoring skills, and commitment to excellence that all football coaches at every level strive for.’’
Specht’s focus has been to create teams founded on love, the daily pursuit of excellence and the understanding that no one is able to succeed alone.
As he wrote in his essay, “I firmly believe that our responsibility as coaches and teachers is to equip these young men with tools that will motivate them for life, not just for a game.”
Scruggs is one of five players Specht has coached who have gone on to play in the NFL.
He also works closely with USA Football and is training to be a Master Trainer in their Heads Up Tackling program.
“The sport needs more coaches like Coach Specht,’’ Shula said. “I’m proud to present this award to him today.’’