Broadneck Football Coach Wins Inaugural Award

Coming off a season in which the Broadneck High School football team made the state championship game for the first time since 2003, head coach Rob Harris earned the inaugural Alan Pastrana Memorial Coach of the Year Award from the Touchdown Club of Annapolis in February.

“I was very honored and excited to be the first-ever recipient of the Alan Pastrana Coach of the Year Award,” Harris said. “Having a chance to get to know him over the years, it is special. He was a great man and always wanted what was best for the kids. He helped start the HeadFirst concussion program.”

An Annapolis High School athlete, Pastrana was drafted by the Denver Broncos as a quarterback in 1969. In high school, he was a three-time county champion in wrestling and was co-captain and starting quarterback of the Annapolis football team that went undefeated. Also an All-County lacrosse player, he continued that stellar play as an All-American defenseman for the University of Maryland men’s lacrosse team. Concussions played a large role in ending his professional football career. He died in 2021.

During a ceremony on February 15, the Touchdown Club celebrated Harris’ leadership during Broadneck’s 10-3 season, which was the coach’s 14th with the team. One of his favorite moments was playing the 4A state championship at Navy-Marine Corps Stadium in Annapolis, despite it being a 21-0 loss to Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High School.

“We had a special season this year, one that showed our kids’ ability to handle adversity, how to put the team first and believe in each other no matter what the circumstances,” Harris said. “This was one of the most unselfish teams I have ever had. Having this team get to Navy stadium was such a thrilling ride and one that we didn't want to finish. Having the whole community behind us and what felt like the biggest crowd the state championship game has had at Navy was so thrilling.”