Eagles Surprise Tim Quinn with Coach of the Year Recognition: A Heartwarming Tribute to a Pioneer in Girls’ Flag Football
On January 1, 2026, the Philadelphia Eagles delivered a moment that perfectly encapsulated the spirit of community, family, and grassroots sports development. Tim Quinn, the dedicated head coach of the Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School girls’ flag football team, arrived at the NovaCare Complex—the Eagles’ state-of-the-art training facility—believing he was there for a routine discussion about the growth of girls’ flag football in Pennsylvania. Little did he know, the organization had orchestrated an elaborate surprise to honor his extraordinary contributions to the sport.
As Quinn entered the room, he was greeted not by staff members discussing program logistics, but by Eagles star running back Saquon Barkley. Barkley, with his characteristic charisma, engaged Quinn in conversation before dropping the bombshell: Quinn had been selected as the Philadelphia Eagles’ nominee for the 2025 Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year Award. The announcement was displayed prominently on a large screen reading “Coach Quinn, Coach of the Year, 2025.” To heighten the emotion, Quinn’s entire family—wife Katie and their four daughters Caitlin, Kara, Keira, and Krista—emerged to share in the celebration, turning what could have been a professional accolade into a deeply personal family milestone.
Quinn’s reaction was one of genuine shock and humility. “I was shocked, to be honest,” he later reflected. “As I came through the door, it didn’t register in my mind. It probably wasn’t until we got to the end of the conversation with Saquon that it really dawned on me what was going on.” This surprise, captured in a heartfelt video released by the Eagles, quickly went viral among football fans, highlighting not just Quinn’s achievements but the profound impact one coach can have on young athletes and an emerging sport.
The Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year Award, named after the legendary Miami Dolphins coach who holds the record for most NFL wins, recognizes outstanding high school coaches across the league’s 32 teams. Each NFL franchise nominates one coach, with finalists from the AFC and NFC competing for the national honor. Winners receive substantial grants for their programs—$15,000 for the conference winners and recognition at NFL events. For Quinn, this nomination represents more than personal acclaim; it’s validation for the rapid rise of girls’ flag football, a non-contact version of the game that’s exploding in popularity as a safe, inclusive alternative for female athletes.
The Roots of a Family-Driven Passion
Tim Quinn’s journey into coaching girls’ flag football is inextricably linked to his family. It all began years ago when his daughters watched their brother Timmy compete in a youth flag football national tournament at Disney World. Inspired, the Quinn girls—Caitlin, Kara, Keira, and Krista—expressed a desire to play football themselves. At the time, opportunities for girls were scarce in Pennsylvania. Undeterred, the Quinn family took matters into their own hands. They knocked on doors at local high schools, advocating for the creation of girls’ teams. Initial reluctance gave way to progress when the Philadelphia Eagles launched their Girls Flag Football League in 2022.
Quinn, already a busy father and professional, was approached to coach Gwynedd Mercy Academy’s inaugural girls’ flag football team that year. Despite a full plate, he accepted, even enrolling his daughters at the school to join the program. Starting with just 17 players, the team quickly grew—to 25 the next season and now boasting 45 athletes. Quinn’s daughter Keira emerged as the team’s quarterback, adding a poignant father-daughter dynamic to the sidelines.
Under Quinn’s leadership, the Gwynedd Mercy Monarchs became a powerhouse. In their first two seasons, they reached the semifinals of the Eagles’ league. They advanced to the championship game after an undefeated regular season, and in 2025, they claimed the Pennsylvania state title for the first time. The championship game, held on June 1, 2025, at the Eagles’ facilities and presented by Gatorade, saw Gwynedd Mercy triumph amid celebrations that included player visits from Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. Quinn himself received a traditional Gatorade bath from his ecstatic players—a rite of passage for victorious coaches.
Overall, Quinn’s tenure has produced an impressive 33-3-2 record, multiple Final Four appearances, two championship bids, and that coveted 2025 title. Beyond wins and losses, Quinn has fostered a program emphasizing inclusivity, skill development, and fun.
The Broader Impact: Growing Girls’ Flag Football in Pennsylvania
Quinn’s story is part of a larger movement propelled by the NFL and teams like the Eagles. Launched in 2022 with 16 teams from the Philadelphia Public and Catholic Leagues, the Eagles Girls Flag Football League expanded rapidly—to 38 teams in 2023 and 65 in 2024. This growth, mirrored on the western side of the state by the Pittsburgh Steelers, helped meet the threshold for sanctioning by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA).
In September 2024, the PIAA officially sanctioned girls’ flag football as a varsity sport, effective for structural changes in the 2025-26 school year. This milestone made Pennsylvania one of a growing number of states embracing the sport, providing official recognition, championships, and scholarships opportunities for female athletes. The Eagles and Steelers played pivotal roles, offering resources, clinics, and advocacy. As Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie noted, the goal set in 2022—to achieve sanctioning within five years—was accomplished ahead of schedule.
Brendan Clark, the Eagles’ Coordinator of Youth Football and Community Relations, praised Quinn as “a passionate leader who has dedicated himself to growing the game for girls at the youth level.” Quinn’s influence extends beyond Gwynedd Mercy; he served as the 2024 USA Football Northeast Regional Director for Flag Football, assembling elite teams for national competitions, and has assisted other programs in joining leagues.
Quinn himself credits the Eagles profusely: “I’m forever in debt to them. I’ve told them whatever I need to do to assist them… I’m forever in debt for the difference they’ve made, not just in the lives of my daughters, but in my extended daughters at Gwynedd and everything they’ve really done to grow this game.”
Why This Recognition Matters
In an era where girls’ sports are gaining long-overdue attention, Tim Quinn embodies the ideal coach: selfless, innovative, and family-oriented. His nomination for the Don Shula Award shines a spotlight on flag football’s potential to empower young women, teaching teamwork, resilience, and leadership without the physical risks of tackle football. Programs like the Eagles’ league have already engaged over 1,600 girls in eastern Pennsylvania alone, with numbers continuing to soar.
The surprise at the NovaCare Complex wasn’t just about honoring one man’s record—it’s a testament to how community partnerships, parental advocacy, and NFL support can transform opportunities for the next generation. As girls’ flag football prepares for its first fully sanctioned PIAA season in 2025-26, coaches like Quinn are the foundation upon which the sport’s future is built.
Quinn’s humility in the face of acclaim speaks volumes: “What I’ve done isn’t me—it’s God, it’s my kids, it’s the Eagles.” Yet, without visionaries like him, thousands of girls might never have laced up cleats and pulled flags on the gridiron.
This heartwarming surprise serves as inspiration. In the words of Saquon Barkley during the reveal, it’s recognition for someone who has “changed lives” through football. As the Don Shula Award process unfolds, Quinn represents not just the Eagles, but the burgeoning legacy of girls’ flag football in America.
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