.jpg) Kevin Stefanski, 2020 and 2023 recipient | |
| Awarded for | Coach of the year in the National Football League |
|---|---|
| Presented by | Associated Press |
| History | |
| First award | 1957 |
| Most wins | Don Shula (4) |
| Most recent | Kevin Stefanski |
The AP NFL Coach of the Year Award (COTY) is presented annually by the Associated Press (AP) to the National Football League (NFL) coach adjudged to have had the most outstanding season. It has been awarded since the 1957 season. Since 2011, the winner has been announced at the annual NFL Honors ceremony.
Don Shula has won the most AP NFL Coach of the Year awards, receiving four during his 33-year head coaching career: three with the Baltimore Colts and one with the Miami Dolphins, all of which were in a nine season span. Chuck Knox and Bill Belichick have each been awarded three times.
Three coaches have won the award in back to back years: Allie Sherman (1961–1962), Shula (1967–1968), and Joe Gibbs (1982–1983).