The Dallas Cowboys have named George Teague, former player and Head Coach at John Paul II High School in Plano, Texas as the team’s 2019 Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year Award nominee.
Named after Pro Football Hall of Famer Don Shula, the winningest coach in NFL history — this prestigious award recognizes high school football coaches in each NFL team market for their character, integrity, leadership, dedication to the community, commitment to player protection and on-field success.
“I am extremely honored to be nominated by the Dallas Cowboys for the Don Shula High School Coach of the Year Award,” said Teague. “Being recognized by the Cowboys – a team I spent five years of my NFL career playing for – fills me with excitement, but also with humbleness. I am grateful for this opportunity to represent the Cowboys and my John Paul II High School family with this recognition.”
Teague attended the University of Alabama and was selected in the first round of the 1993 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers. His nine-year NFL career was spent with the Packers (1993-1995), Miami Dolphins (1997) and Dallas Cowboys (1996, 1998-2001). An active member of the Legends Community, Teague found coaching success at the high school ranks after retiring from the professional game.
Teague took over the John Paul II High School football program in 2017 after coaching at Harvest Christian Academy, Carrollton Christian Academy and The Shelton School, where he also served as Athletic Director. In three seasons with John Paul II, Teague transformed a program that had never seen playoff action into a team confident enough to take the field in a state championship game. His off-the-field workout and training program encourages growth in his student-athletes both physically and mentally while incorporating positive life-skill, servant leadership, and character education lessons. His 2019 season included a four-game winning streak, a district victory that took 11 overtimes to claim against rival Bishop Dunne and the implementation of a game plan that took advantage of the talent on both sides of the ball.
“The Dallas Cowboys are proud to recognize George Teague for the work he is doing to build great football players, but more importantly men of character through the game of football,” said Dallas Cowboys Executive Vice President and Chief Brand Officer Charlotte Jones. “During his time with the Dallas Cowboys, George was a great example of hard work and dedication both to the team and his community. He has now transferred that championship tradition to impacting the lives of student-athletes in a positive way and we could not be prouder to recognize him for his continued dedication.”
All 32 NFL market Don Shula Award nominees are invited to attend the 2020 Pro Bowl in Orlando, Florida to be recognized during the NFL’s week-long celebration of football. Coaches will have VIP access and accommodations at events including Pro Bowl practices and the Play Football High School Skills Showdown, a chance to interact with members of the football community and attend the Pro Bowl. Each coach will have an opportunity to invite a senior from his roster to participate in the Skills Showdown.
Two Shula Award finalists will each receive $15,000 from the NFL Foundation, $10,000 of which will go to their high school’s football program. They will also attend Super Bowl LIV in Miami as guests of the NFL.
The Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year winner is selected by a panel of distinguished individuals: Pro Football Hall of Fame President David Baker; Former Dallas Cowboys Personnel Director and NFL.com contributor Gil Brandt; Super Bowl XLIV winner and NFL Legends Youth Advisory Committee Member Mark Brunell; 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) and NFL Legends Youth Advisory Committee Member Willie McGinest; 2x AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year, current head coach at the Sayre School (Lexington, Kentucky) and NFL Legends Youth Advisory Committee Member Chad Pennington and Pro Football Hall of Fame Coach Don Shula — the winningest coach in NFL history.
The Don Shula Award winner will be announced during the 2020 Pro Bowl, Sunday, January 26 at 3:00 PM ET on ESPN and ESPN Deportes, and simulcast on ABC and Disney XD. This marks the third time the game will be available on both broadcast and cable networks. The winner will also be recognized and walk the red carpet at NFL Honors, two-hour primetime awards special the night before Super Bowl LIV on February 1 on FOX.
