Thomas Jefferson’s Bill Cherpak nominated for Shula award as nation’s top high school football coach

By: Staff And Wire Reports
Thursday, January 9, 2020 | 5:46 PM

Thomas Jefferson coach Bill Cherpak, who last fall won his record-tying eighth WPIAL football title, is among 32 nominees for the NFL’s Don Shula Award to honor the nation’s top high school coaches.

The nominees, one per team, will be invited to attend the Pro Bowl in Orlando, Fla., on Jan. 26, when the winner will be announced. The winner will also attend the Super Bowl on Feb. 2. Cherpak is the Pittsburgh Steelers’ nominee.

The award is named after the 90-year-old Shula, the Hall of Famer and winningest coach in NFL history. The winner will be selected by a panel including Shula, Hall of Famer Tony Dungy, Super Bowl winners Willie McGinest and Mark Brunell and Pro Football Hall of Fame president David Baker.

Two finalists will each receive $15,000 from the NFL Foundation, $10,000 of which will go to their high school’s football program.

Cherpak, 52, guided Thomas Jefferson to a 16-0 record this season, winning WPIAL and PIAA Class 4A titles.

It was his eighth WPIAL title and fourth state crown.

The nominees:

Bill Cherpak, Steelers

Jason Mohns, Cardinals

Matt Land, Falcons

Justin Payne, Ravens

Bobby Bates, Bills

Jamie Nickles, Panthers

Mike Noll, Bears

Pat McLaughlin, Bengals

Steve Trivisonno, Browns

George Teague, Cowboys

Rob Busmente, Broncos

Jim Ahern, Lions

Mike Minick, Packers

Todd McVey, Texans

Kyle Ralph, Colts

Damenyum Springs, Jaguars

William Lowe, Chiefs

Mil’von James, Chargers

Paul Knox, Rams

Eddie Frasier, Dolphins

Lambert Brown, Vikings

Andrew MacKay, Patriots

Robert Valdez, Saints

Barris Grant, Giants

Nga Warren, Jets

Dwayne Savage, Eagles

Rich Muraco, Raiders

Mike Machado, 49ers

Bill Beattie, Seahawks

TaVaris Johnson, Buccaneers

Shawn Witten, Titans

Joe Jones, Redskins

Tags: Thomas Jefferson