Piscataway Football Coach in Contention for New Jersey, National Coach of the Year Honors

Piscataway High School football coach Dan Higgins is among eight coaches in contention to be named the inaugural New Jersey High School Football Coach of the Year, and a total of 408 candidates for USA Today’s national honor.

Higgins led the Chiefs to North 2 Group 4 championships in each of his first two years as a coach, in 2003 and 2004. The Chiefs also won titles in 2008, 2010 and 2011. They are currently 3-1 for the 2013 season.

Higgins is competing with Sayreville coach George Najjar, and coaches from West Deptford, Don Bosco Prep, Lacey, St. Joseph (Hammonton), St. Joseph (Montvale) and St. Peter's Prep for the state honors.

For the full list of New Jersey contenders and to vote in the contest, visit usatoday.com.

The contest began Monday at noon in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Voting in the state round concludes at noon on Tuesday, Oct. 8.

The winners from each individual contest advance to the regional round, where voting will take place from Oct. 9-18. The eight regional winners advance to the national finals, and USA Today’s first National High School Football Coach of the Year will be selected on Oct. 29.

Winners in each round are decided by most votes.

The grand prize is $2,000, for the Athletic Department of the winning coach. Second place brings in $1,000; third place nets $500; fourth place is worth $250; and the fifth place coach receives $100.

The eight finalists receive banners for their schools.

The 408 total coaches competing in the contest were selected by staff members at USA Today following a month of conversations with local media and other state and school officials.