Mark Harris, the Stillwater Area varsity defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, received the Butch Nash Award at the 57th Annual Minnesota Football Coaches Association Awards Banquet on Friday, August 13, 2021.

This award, named after long-time Gopher assistant Coach Butch Nash, is bestowed on an ideal assistant coach who displays loyalty, competency, rapport with players and coaches, integrity, and at least 15 years of experience. In 22 years of coaching, including Minnetonka, Woodbury, and Stillwater, Coach Harris has served as a freshman head coach, sophomore defensive coordinator, varsity assistant, and the last eight as Ponies varsity defensive coordinator. His time at Minnetonka included the 2004 State Championship. With Ponies, Harris has assisted in two sub-district championships and the Ponies have played in four section championships.

“Coach Harris is very detailed in his preparation for every opponent we have faced,” said Head Coach Beau LaBore who nominated Harris. “He is able to take those details and create a game plan that we can teach our players that our players can execute confidently.”

Coach Harris joins former Ponies coaches Dennis Meyer, Jerry Foley, Donn Drommerhausen, Dick Klein, Mark Elmer, and Darrell Salmi as Butch Nash Award recipients.

“I am humbled to receive this recognition,” Harris said. “I love coaching, working with our players, and the challenge that calling a defense presents.”

Congratulations Coach Harris!

For a list of other Butch Nash Award recipients, use the following link: Butch Nash Award