South Gwinnett News

In a historic decision, the Atlanta Falcons named Zach Corcoran, head coach of the girls flag football program at St. Anne-Pacelli Catholic School, as the 2021 high school coach of the year.

"Meet your 2021 Atlanta Falcons Coach of the Year … Zach Corcoran of St. Anne-Pacelli Catholic School," the Falcons said on Twitter.

The Atlanta Falcons have been a big supporter of bridging the gender gap in sports for several years, The Falcoholic reported. This decision marks another milestone in that journey.

"To find someone as passionate as he is for teaching and coaching sports, he really is special," Corry Black, St. Anne-Pacelli's athletic director, said in a team press release. "He's just a gem. You can't find anybody that does what he does."

In the history of the league, the Falcons are the only team that won the Don Shula NFL high school coach of the year award consecutively, having nominated the winners in 2019 and 2020. If Corcoran does win the overall award, it would be historic for Georgia, the Falcons, and flag football as a sport, The Falcoholic reported.

"He's the most honest, trustworthy guy that I have been around," assistant coach Matt Aldrich said. "He's the reason I am coaching girls flag football. He helped me transition to St. Anne-Pacelli and truly showed me the workings of this sport."

Corcoran's leadership has been appreciated by many, and it even inspired one of his students to create a youth flag football camp of her very own. Corcoran and his team, the Lady Vikings, volunteered to position the camp for success, The Falcoholic reported.

"He shows leadership and honestly is just a well-rounded, genuine person that is loved by everyone," Aldrich said. "I don't know anyone who has anything bad to say about Coach Corcoran."