MUSKEGON, MI – Shane Fairfield helped make history back in November when his Muskegon Big Reds captured the Division 2 high school football state championship at Ford Field in Detroit and registered the storied program’s 900th all-time win – the most in state history.
Fairfield added another chapter to his own legacy Wednesday, as he became the first Michigan-based high school football coach to be named the NFL National Coach of the Year.
The National Football League announced Wednesday that Fairfield would join Columbine High School’s Andy Lowry as the AFC and NFC recipients of the 2023 NFL Don Shula High School Coach of the Year Award.
The league recognized the top high school coaches from markets of NFL teams as nominated by their respective NFL clubs. This honor is given to the high school football coaches that best represent character, integrity, leadership, dedication to the community, commitment to player protection and on-field success, in honor of the late Don Shula, the winningest coach in NFL history.
Fairfield was named the 2023 Detroit Lions Coach of the Year in December prior to earning the National Coach of the Year award.
“I guess this is what winning the lottery must feel like,” Fairfield told MLive. “It’s a surreal feeling for me because I still feel like the same guy who’s been going to work every day for the last 14 years and investing my time and energy into coaching, building relationships and helping guide these kids. I don’t know when it will actually sink in for me, but I am extremely honored for this recognition and I understand the responsibility that comes with it.
“I feel honored to even be nominated by the Detroit Lions among all the amazing coaches we have in our state, so to be named to a national award like this is incredible. There’s so many incredible coaches across the country, so I’m just very appreciative of all of this.”
The NFL Foundation, in partnership with Nike, will award Lowry and Fairfield as the 2023 Don Shula NFL High School Coaches of the Year, with $15,000 grants for each of their high school football programs. Additionally, each coach will receive a $10,000 cash prize. They will both be guests of the NFL at the 2024 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, will attend Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas and will be recognized at NFL Honors.
“We are honored to celebrate Coach Lowry and Coach Fairfield and their incredible dedication and hard work to the game of football,” said Alexia Gallagher, NFL vice president of philanthropy and executive director of the NFL Foundation. “Both exemplify the vital role that high school football coaches play in positively shaping the lives and character of their players both on and off the field.”
Fairfield views the national recognition as a reward for the entire Muskegon Big Red community and every person who has contributed to the program’s historic success since 1895.
“I believe this award was destined for Muskegon High School, ” he added. “Whether it was while I was the head coach or someone before or after me, the tradition at this school and this program runs deep. In my eyes, this award goes to Muskegon High School, the Muskegon Big Reds football program and the Muskegon community as a whole. I just happen to be the head coach right now.
“I hope every current and former player, coach, teacher, student, parent, fan or sponsor can take some pride in this award. This award goes to everyone in our community who has ever donated a dime of their money to the athletic department or bought a ticket to a game at Hackley Stadium.”
The Big Reds have compiled a 154-29 during Fairfield’s tenure and captured 12 district titles, 10 regional titles, made nine state finals appearances and won two state titles. He’s been coaching football since 1991 and spent five years as a head coach at Holton High School as well as an assistant coach at Muskegon prior to taking over as the head coach of the Big Reds.
He hopes the National Coach of the Year award will fill his own family with pride after his years of sacrificing his time to elevate others in his community.
“It definitely feels like a reward for the time I’ve invested into my coaching career,” Fairfield added. “I’ve missed a lot of family functions, my daughters’ birthday parties or some of their own sporting events over the years, so I hope they can take some pride in seeing their dad get recognized for his hard work. I hope this is something my two daughters will always be able to walk around and be proud of.”
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2024-02-02 03:46:00
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