Phil Hayford has been associated with the Shorecrest Prep program for 27 years
Shorecrest Prep Head Coach Phil Hayford was honored as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers High School Football Coach of the Week on Wednesday at One Buccaneer Place.
In his 27th year of coaching at Shorecrest in St. Petersburg, Hayford currently serves as head football coach and athletic director. Hayford's teams have earned 11 district titles, and Shorecrest has reached the state playoffs 12 of the last 14 years. In 1993 and 1994, Hayford's teams boasted back-to-back undefeated seasons. Shorecrest travels to Naples this Friday to take on St. John Neumann, which is currently undefeated.
"I think the biggest thing for me is it reflects on our entire program," said Hayford of the honor. "I've been at Shorecrest for 27 years, and when something like this comes up I think back to, not only the guys who are playing now, but the guys who were there before because they are a big part of this, too. When you say it's Coach of the Week, it's like Program of the Week."
Hayford was presented with a framed Coach of the Week certificate signed by NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, General Manager Bruce Allen and Head Coach Jon Gruden. He also received a football autographed by Gruden and a Coach of the Week cap. NFL Charities will award $1,000 to the Shorecrest football program in Hayford's honor.
The Buccaneers are currently accepting nominations for the high school Coach of the Week. If you know of a high school football coach who exhibits excellence both on and off the field, please nominate that coach by clicking here.
