National Football Foundation

With a considerable set of accomplishments that run the gamut, Max Coale cut an impressive swath of success with his 6'4", 260 pound frame in the Howard County, Md., community. 

A three-year starter at offensive and defensive tackle, Coale helped River Hill reach the Maryland state semifinals four times, state championship three times and capture the state title as a sophomore and junior. Coale anchored an offensive line that helped River Hill running backs to accumulate nearly 4,000 yards and 56 touchdowns in the 2009 campaign. Overall, the Hawks garnered a 40-1 record during Coale's time as a starter. 

He was named team captain and Most Valuable Player as a senior and participated in the Crab Bowl All-Star Game. Coale was honored by both the Baltimore Sun and the Washington Post as a First Team All-Metro performer, and Coale was named the River Hill Outstanding Athlete of the Year as the best male athlete at the school. He also excelled as a lacrosse player, earning all-county and state finalist honors. 

In the classroom, Coale was Valedictorian in a class of 342 students and graduated with a perfect, unweighted 4.0 GPA. He made the Honor Roll four times, and he earned a myriad of academic honors, including National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, Merit Scholastic Award, AP Scholar with Distinction. 

"Max was a three-year starter for us on the offensive line," said River Hill head coach Brian Van Deusen. "During his time here at River Hill, we won 40 consecutive games, three regional championships and two state championships. Max worked extremely hard in the weight room to improve himself, and he ended up being one of our strongest kids and in the 1,000 pound club. His teammates selected him as a team captain because of his strong work ethic and outstanding leadership qualities. 

"Max's accomplishments in the classroom and community are just as impressive. He was a pleasure to coach and is a great role model for the younger players in our program. I think that Max is a perfect example of a scholar-athlete; he focused on academics first and was also able to excel in all of his extra-curricular activities. He is a very intelligent, dedicated, well-balanced individual that is an excellent candidate for this scholar-athlete award." 

Coale used his standing at River Hill to benefit younger students throughout his academic career. He served as a liaison to incoming high school students, a tutor and in the Best Buddies Mentor Program. 

Coale attended Princeton University and earned Second Team All-Ivy League honors at offensive guard after helping Princeton break Ivy League records in both scoring offense (43.7) and total offense (511.6) in 2013.