Palko named NFL high school COTY
Bob Palko was presented the Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year during a ceremony at the 2021 Pro Bowl Game in Las Vegas. In his third season at the helm, Palko guided Mt. Lebanon to its first state championship in football and first WPIAL title in 22 years.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Mt. Lebanon football coach Bob Palko accepts the WPIAL championship trophy while his players celebrate in the background in 2021.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Mt. Lebanon’s Bob Palko and Bethel Park’s Brian DeLallo discuss a call with an official during last year’s game. The two field generals have both resigned their positions as head coaches at their respective high schools this year.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Bob Palko
Mt. Lebanon football coach Bob Palko hit the jackpot during a recent trip to Las Vegas.
During the NFL Pro Bowl held at Allegiant Stadium Feb. 6, he was named the 2021 Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year.
“I’m truly humbled and honored,” Palko said. “I didn’t get here by myself though. Football is the ultimate team sport and it took a team effort to win this.
“This is just another feather in the cap for our team, coaching staff and community,” he added. “It really is surreal to see the impact of what this team has done.”
Under Palko, the Blue Devils rolled up a 15-0 record in 2021. Lebo won its first WPIAL championship in 21 years and first state title in school history with a 35-17 victory over three-time defending champion St. Joseph’s Prep in the PIAA Class 6A final Dec. 10 in Hershey.
The championships came three years after Palko appeared to have folded up his career. In 2018, he had retired after leading West Allegheny to eight WPIAL titles and one PIAA championship. In February of 219, however, he grabbed hold of the position at Lebo.
Palko’s nine WPIAL titles is tied for first in league history. His all-time record is 242-81.
Established in 2010, Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year award not only recognizes excellence on the field, it is awarded annually to a high school football head coach that displays the integrity, achievement and leadership exemplified by the legendary Miami Dolphins coach.
Every NFL team picked a Coach of the Year from its area for the award. The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Palko as its representative.
“This is awesome,” Palko said. “But I certainly have a lot of people to thank.”
Palko starts with his wife, Sally, who accompanied him on the trip to Las Vegas. The pair have raised three children Tyler, who played at Pitt and in the NFL; Luke, who is a scout with the Arizona Cardinals; and Amy, who was a standout volleyball player at Duquesne.
“My wife has been very supportive of my career,” Palko said. “You can’t make this business work if you don’t have a strong partner who is supportive and understanding especially since high school coaches spend more time with other people’s children than their own kids.”
During his sideline interview with ESPN reporter Lisa Salters, Palko cited his relationships with his players as the “most rewarding” aspect of his job.
“Just getting the know the kids and the friendships you develop. Those moments are the most important because it is about relationships,” Palko said.
“The thing I am most proud of is meeting and being able to learn from the young kids. You’ve got to learn to adapt and adjust through life and these kids have really helped me do that.”
The award enabled Palko to earn a little extra cash and travel to places that he had never been before.
The winner received $15,000 from the NFL Foundation of which $10,000 goes to the Lebo football program.
In addition to attending the Pro Bowl, as well as the East-West Shrine Bowl, Palko also received an invitation to attend Super Bowl LVI to be held at SoFi Stadium, home of the Los Angeles Rams.
“I had never been to a Pro Bowl,” Palko said. “So, it was nice to see the new stadium and to have the chance to come out to Vegas and see the sights.
“I’m not a huge gambler,” he added. “Give or take I’ve won a little but you need to know when to hold ’em and when to fold ’em. I’ve never been to the Super Bowl either.”
Palko said the game between the LA Rams and Cincinnati Bengals is going to be exciting because of the Western Pennsylvania connection.
Clairton’s Tyler Boyd is a wide receiver for the Bengals and Penn Hill product Aaron Donald is a defensive tackle for the Rams.
“It’s going to be a really cool and exciting event,” Palko said. “We have two guys in it, one on either side. So we can’t go wrong. I just hope the best team wins.”
In between road trips to Las Vegas and Los Angeles, Bob Palko returned to Mt. Lebanon long enough to helped the Blue Devils raise their team championship banners in the high school gymnasium, where they are displayed permanently.
The ceremony took place at halftime of the girls’ basketball game between Upper St. Clair and Mt. Lebanon on Feb. 10.
“That’s going to be a special moment,” Palko said. “I’m looking forward to it but I am also looking forward to seeing my guys and getting back to work.”