John Hart of Brownsburg High School has been named the AFC winner of the NFL's 2024 Don Shula High School Coach of the Year award, the league announced today.
The NFL selected Hart, as well as a coach representing the NFC, from among the 32 club nominees based on character, integrity, leadership, community service, commitment to player health and safety and on-field success.
Hart will be invited to the Pro Bowl Games in Orlando and Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans to enjoy VIP access to events, practices and other celebrations of football, as well as engage with various members of the NFL community.
What's more, Hart will receive a $10,000 prize and a $15,000 grant for the Brownsburg football program, courtesy of the NFL Foundation and Nike.
The Colts recognized Hart locally last month as the 2024 Colts Coach of the Year, presented by Indianapolis-based Corteva Agriscience and sponsored in part by Certor Sports.
Hart was nominated and selected after completing his 40th season of coaching high school football. After winning the 6A state title last year, Hart became the first head coach in Indiana football history to win a state championship at three different high schools.
Since taking over the Brownsburg football program in 2015, Hart has led the program to a record of 82-19, including the school's first state championship in nearly 40 years.
"Coach Hart represents the qualities and values exemplified by Coach Shula, and we're very proud a Hoosier football coach was selected among all AFC nominees to represent the Colts, his school and his community in front of the entire NFL world," said Colts legend and current Football Development Commissioner Mike Prior.
"I am thankful, humbled and honored to have been nominated by the Colts for the Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year," Hart said. "I will be forever grateful to Brownsburg High School and the Brownsburg community for trusting, believing and supporting my staff as well as the past and present football players.
"I would like to thank the Indianapolis Colts for their continued support of promoting high school football in the state of Indiana," he added. "Not too many years ago, Mr. Irsay, Coach Dungy, Peyton Manning and the entire Colts organization created an environment that has helped make high school football in Indiana more than just a game."
