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Bruce Larson of Somerset named Don Shula NFL HS Coach of the Year

01/23/2015, 11:00am CST
By WFCA

From the NFL:

Somerset High School Head Football Coach Bruce Larson was named the Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year, it was announced today. As the national Shula Award winner, Larson will receive $25,000 from the NFL Foundation, $15,000 of which will go to his high school’s football program. He will also be a guest of the NFL during Super Bowl and be recognized at a media availability with Coach Shula on Friday, January 30.

Nominated by the Green Bay Packers, Larson, of Somerset, Wisconsin, was one of three high school football coaches from across the country named as a finalist. The award was created to honor exemplary high school football coaches who demonstrate a commitment to player health and safety, and to the integrity, achievement, and leadership exemplified by the winningest coach in NFL history, Don Shula.

Larson is a 28-year coaching veteran who has been with Somerset for his entire coaching career amassing a 163-37 record as a head coach. The Somerset Spartans finished the 2014 season with a perfect 14-0 record, capped off by a 28-16 victory over Little Chute High School in the WIAA Division 4 State Championship at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison on Nov. 20. Larson and his staff oversee a program of 85 players, including a varsity roster of 50. Houston Texans tackle BRYAN WITZMANN was one of Larson’s players. 

“Coach Larson has had a lasting impact on me as a player and a person,” said Witzmann. “The principles he instills in his players such as mental toughness and teamwork have been invaluable for me. Coach Larson's dedication to the team, the school, and the town of Somerset is unparalleled. He tries to shy away from personal accolades as much as he can but it seems to have caught up with him. I couldn't think of a more deserving man for the award.”

All nominees are active or retired high school football coaches nominated by NFL teams or players for their character and integrity, inspirational leadership, commitment to the community and on-field success. 

“We’re pleased, along with the NFL, to honor Bruce Larson for his accomplishments, not only as a football coach but as a role model and leader in the community,” said Packers President/CEO MARK MURPHY. “Bruce sets a strong example for young people to follow, both on and off the field. Through his 28 years with Somerset High School, he has demonstrated a tremendous commitment to coaching and his community.”

As part of his nomination, Larson wrote of his responsibility as a coach: “The greatest thing that comes from coaching for me is watching the players go from boys who participate in youth football to men who fight together at the varsity level and take the lessons they learned in football throughout their life and become successful individuals.” 

Larson was also honored this year with the WFCA/Packers Coach of the Year award, presented to him at the Packers’ final regular season home game against the Detroit Lions. In recognition of the honor, the Packers donated $2,000 to the Somerset football program. This marks the 17th year both the Green Bay Packers and WFCA have awarded the honor together. More information regarding this award, the All-State team and the WFCA is available at www.wifca.org.

The other finalists were Denver Broncos nominee and Cherry Creek High School Head Football Coach DAVE LOGAN of Greenwood Village, Colorado and Kansas City Chiefs nominee and Truman High School Head Football Coach GREGG WEBB from Independence, Missouri. Each finalist receives a $2,500 cash award and a $5,000 grant for their high school football programs. A full list of all nominees is below. 

The Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year Award selection panel is comprised of Coach Shula; former Dallas Cowboys Personnel Director and NFL.com contributor GIL BRANDT; former Indianapolis Colts Coach and current NBC analyst TONY DUNGY; veteran sportswriter JACK FLEISCHER; Executive Director of USA Football SCOTT HALLENBECK; Former Raiders Coach and Pro Football Hall of Famer JOHN MADDEN; General RAYMOND ODIERNO; and Former Secretary of State, Senior Fellow on Public Policy at the Hoover Institution and faculty member at the Stanford Graduate School of Business CONDOLEEZZA RICE.

About the NFL Foundation: The National Football League Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of those touched by the game of football – from players at all levels to communities across the country. The NFL Foundation represents the 32 NFL clubs and supports the health and safety of athletes, youth football, and the communities which support our game. For more information on The NFL Foundation, visit: www.NFLFoundation.org.

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