Lian Nominated for Don Shula Coach of the Year Award

Brighton Football Coach Stephen Lian is the Buffalo Bills’ nominee for the Don Shula NFL High School Football Coach of the Year award. The national award honors high school football coaches that demonstrate character, integrity, leadership, dedication to the community, commitment to player health and safety, and on-field success.

The NFL will select two winners, one from each conference. They will be invited to the 2025 Pro Bowl and Super Bowl. The NFL Foundation and Nike have teamed up to give the two winners a $15,000 award for their high school football programs and a $10,000 cash award. The other 30 club nominees will all receive a $1,000 cash award.

Lian led the Bruins to a 12-1 record and the program’s first Sectional Championship and Far West Regional Championship in school history. He was also named the All-Greater Rochester Coach of the Year and All-County Coach of the Year.

“It's very humbling knowing that there are so few that are nominated each year," Lian said. "I've been fortunate to have received some awards, especially this year and over time, but it's definitely a full staff effort. It's really everybody else involved, and no one person more important than the next. So, I really want to give a lot of thanks to my coaching staff."

He became the first Asian American head coach to win a sectional title.

"It is very meaningful for me," Lian said. "To be able to pave my own way, and then see it culminate and making the accomplishment to be able to do that, it for sure, is special to me. I've got three kids of my own … and for them to be able to see that their dad was able to do this and know where it all started, that's been very special."