The Royal Knights head coach Wiley Allred is among 32 high school football coaches nationwide nominated for the prestigious Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year Award. Allred, who sports the state’s longest win streak at 41 games, and who is tied for the sixth longest streak in the nation, was chosen by the Seattle Seahawks to represent Washington. He joins the contingent of individuals who are in the running for the national award named for the coach with the most wins in NFL history.

“It’s pretty neat to be nominated — but its really a benefit to coach the kind of kids we’ve got here,” Allred said. “They make the plays — not me — but yeah, it’s great to be representing the kid’s — the school and the community. Now I have to figure out a way to get down to the Pro Bowl.”

NFL teams choose high school coaches for their character and integrity and leadership and dedication to their communities, commitment to player health and safety and on-field success, according to a Pro Football Hall of Fame press release.

“High school football coaches serve as role models for young athletes and their impact goes well beyond the playing field,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “We are proud to honor this year’s nominees who embody the character, integrity and spirit of Coach Shula. Their commitment to improving the lives of students and developing young men of character is commendable.”

Anyone who knows Allred, knows he truly embodies the criteria.

Don Shula Award nominees from all 32 NFL teams will be recognized at the 2018 Pro Bowl in Orlando. The coaches will also participate in a special coaches’ clinic, enjoy a VIP visit to Pro Bowl practices and attend the USA Football National Conference.

“I’m really looking forward to Orlando,” Allred said. “There was a slight problem with the timing of this because it’s the same weekend of the Washington State Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame induction. But the folks there said they could move my induction back a year if I really wanted to go — and I’m leaning that way so it’s nice of them to hold off on the induction.”

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

“It would be awesome to be one of the finalists — be quite a bonus for the high school.”

With all the success Allred has had on the high school gridiron, its only natural to wonder if he’s ever considered coaching at a higher level.

“I really haven’t thought much about it — I farm — we’re into the community — and we’re fine where we are at,” he said. “If I wasn’t so tied into the farm and things maybe. I like talking football with folks in the community and visiting with the college guys (scouts) who come around. This (football) is a young man’s game as far as I’m concerned. Coaching at a higher level means you’d have to move around or better be willing to.”

The Don Shula Award winner will be announced during the 2018 Pro Bowl Sunday, Jan. 28. The individual will be recognized and walk the red carpet at NFL Honors, a two-hour primetime awards special to air nationally on the eve of Super Bowl LII Feb. 3.