Temple University Athletics
Infante Wins NFL High School Coach of the Year
1.28.19 | Football
PHILADELPHIA - The NFL Foundation announced during the Pro Bowl yesterday that Temple assistant football coach and former head football coach of St. Joseph's Preparatory School, Gabe Infante, is the 2018 Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year. Infante joined the Owls in December 2018 after stepping down as head coach at St. Joe's Prep following his fourth state title and an undefeated 2018 season.
Infante had been the head football coach at St. Joseph's Prep since 2010, compiling a record of 91-23 (.798 winning percentage). In nine seasons at the Prep, his teams have played for five state titles, while capturing four of the last six – including the 2018 and 2016 6A state title, and back-to-back titles in 2014 & 2013. All four teams finished the season ranked number one in Pennsylvania. Recently the Hawks finished 13-0 and were ranked as high as sixth nationally by USA Today, Max Preps and Football America.
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"I am truly humbled and honored to be considered for such an award, considering how many high school coaches around the country on an annual basis work with their kids and make great sacrifices for them," said Infante.
The award, named for the winningest coach in NFL history, was created to honor exemplary high school football coaches for their character and integrity, leadership and dedication to the community, commitment to player health and safety and on-field success. Each of the 32 NFL teams nominate a high school coach in their area.
"Teaching and developing football at the youth level is paramount to the future success of the game," said Don Smolenski, Philadelphia Eagles president. "Gabe's body of work as a football coach and his commitment to the sport, both on and off the field, is admirable."
"While his on-field su​ccess at St. Joseph's Prep has made Philadelphia and the surrounding community very proud, it is his work with USA Football and charitable organizations like Simon's Heart that truly demonstrates the reason he's this year's winner. On behalf of the Philadelphia football community, we would like to congratulate Gabe on being recognized as the Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year," added Smolenski.
A two-time Don Shula High School Coach of the Year nominee, Infante is a member of USA Football's Advisory Committee and is a Master Trainer in USA Football's Heads Up program. Infante travels around the country conducting player safety clinics and helps promote the program's techniques and benefits to youth and high school coaches.
Nominees for the Don Shula Award from all 32 clubs were invited and recognized in special ways during the NFL's week-long celebration of football at the Pro Bowl in Orlando.
The Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year winner is selected by a panel of distinguished individuals:
The NFL Foundation represents the 32 NFL clubs and supports the health, safety and wellness of athletes, youth football, and the communities that support our game. For more information on The NFL Foundation, visit: www.NFLFoundation.org.
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Infante had been the head football coach at St. Joseph's Prep since 2010, compiling a record of 91-23 (.798 winning percentage). In nine seasons at the Prep, his teams have played for five state titles, while capturing four of the last six – including the 2018 and 2016 6A state title, and back-to-back titles in 2014 & 2013. All four teams finished the season ranked number one in Pennsylvania. Recently the Hawks finished 13-0 and were ranked as high as sixth nationally by USA Today, Max Preps and Football America.
Â
"I am truly humbled and honored to be considered for such an award, considering how many high school coaches around the country on an annual basis work with their kids and make great sacrifices for them," said Infante.
The award, named for the winningest coach in NFL history, was created to honor exemplary high school football coaches for their character and integrity, leadership and dedication to the community, commitment to player health and safety and on-field success. Each of the 32 NFL teams nominate a high school coach in their area.
"Teaching and developing football at the youth level is paramount to the future success of the game," said Don Smolenski, Philadelphia Eagles president. "Gabe's body of work as a football coach and his commitment to the sport, both on and off the field, is admirable."
"While his on-field su​ccess at St. Joseph's Prep has made Philadelphia and the surrounding community very proud, it is his work with USA Football and charitable organizations like Simon's Heart that truly demonstrates the reason he's this year's winner. On behalf of the Philadelphia football community, we would like to congratulate Gabe on being recognized as the Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year," added Smolenski.
A two-time Don Shula High School Coach of the Year nominee, Infante is a member of USA Football's Advisory Committee and is a Master Trainer in USA Football's Heads Up program. Infante travels around the country conducting player safety clinics and helps promote the program's techniques and benefits to youth and high school coaches.
Nominees for the Don Shula Award from all 32 clubs were invited and recognized in special ways during the NFL's week-long celebration of football at the Pro Bowl in Orlando.
The Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year winner is selected by a panel of distinguished individuals:
- Pro Football Hall of Famer, Coach Dan Shula – the winningest coach in NFL history
- 2017 Don Shula NFL Coach of the Year Award Winner Robert Garrett
- Pro Football Hall of Fame President David Baker
- Former Dallas Cowboys Personnel Director and NFL.com contributor Gil Brandt
- Pro Football Hall of Fame coach and current NBC analyst Tony Dungy
- Executive Director of USA Football Scott Hallenbeck
- 3-time Super Bowl Champion (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX) Willie McGinest
- 2x AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year and current head coach at the Sayre School Chad Pennington
- Pro Football Hall of Famer and Super Bowl XXXV Champion Rod Woodson
- Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Senior Fellow on Public Policy at the Hoover Institution and faculty member at the Stanford Graduate School of Business
- Aplington-Parkersburg High School Principal Aaron Thomas, son of the school's late football coach, Ed Thomas
The NFL Foundation represents the 32 NFL clubs and supports the health, safety and wellness of athletes, youth football, and the communities that support our game. For more information on The NFL Foundation, visit: www.NFLFoundation.org.
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