The FootballScoop Coaches of the Year awards, presented by ProGrass, are the only set of awards that recognize the most outstanding position coaches in college football. Finalists were selected based off of nominations by coaches, athletic directors and other athletic department personnel. The winner will be chosen by the previous winners of this award and will be announced on Friday December 19th.
The 2014 FootballScoop Coaches of the Year will be recognized and will receive their awards at an event held in their honor at the American Football Coaches Association's annual convention in January in Louisville, KY.
Previous winners of the Division III Coordinator of the Year award are Glen Fowles (Williamette [Ore.], 2008), Jim Zebrowski (Wisconsin-Whitewater, 2009), Vince Kehres (Mount Union [Ohio], 2010),Wallie Kuchinski (St. Thomas [Minn.], 2011), John O'Grady (Wisconsin-Oshkosh, 2012), and Brian Borland (Wisconsin-Whitewater, 2013)
Geoff Dart, Mount Union
In yet another undefeated run to the Division III semifinals, Mount Union has left every other offense in college football in the dust by averaging 59.5 points per game. For a little perspective, the Purple Raiders are only two points per game off the entire NCAA record set by Saint John's in 1993. Mount Union also leads the NCAA and rank second in the entirety of college football with 594.7 yards of total offense per game. Mount Union also ranks eighth in rushing offense, 12th in passing offense, second in passing efficiency, first in first downs and ninth in red zone offense.
Key Stats
- 1st in the college football in scoring offense (59.5 points per game)
- 1st in the NCAA in total offense (594.7 yards per game)
- 1st in first downs per game (28.6)
- 8th in rushing offense (288.7 yards per game)
- 2nd in passing efficiency (179.37)
Chris Shula, John Carroll
John Carroll's 11-win season and defensive rankings are impressive. Very impressive. The Blue Streaks rank among the top 20 in Division III in total defense, rushing defense, passing defense, pass efficiency defense, scoring defense and third down defense. John Carroll pitched three shutouts, held five opponents to seven points or less and 10 foes to 16 points or less. That said, what Shula's unit did in its two losses may have spoken loudest about their ability. John Carroll held Mount Union to 31 points on 397 total yards on Nov. 15 and 36 points on 408 total yards on Dec. 6. At present, they are the only team to hold The Mount to fewer than 58 points and 543 yards of total offense this season.
Key Stats
- 9th in total defense (251.1 yards per game)
- 11th in scoring defense (13.4 points per game allowed)
- Held 10 of 13 opponents under 17 points
- 4th in third down defense (24 percent)
Tom Zagorski, John Carroll
Mount Union has allowed a total of 109 points through 13 games - 52 in two games against Tom Zagorski's John Carroll offense, and 57 in its other 11 games. The Blue Streaks posted 498 and 386 yards of total offense against Mount Union, a No. 1 ranked defense that permitted an average of 176 yards in its other 11 games. John Carroll was dominant in its other 11 games (all wins) as well. The Blue Streaks ranked fourth in Division II at 48.2 points per game, placed fifth in passing efficiency, 13th in passing offense, 18th in total offense, 10th in third downs and fourth in first downs.
Key Stats
- 4th in scoring offense (48.2 points per game)
- 4th in first downs (302)
- 5th in passing efficiency (171.76)
- 13th in passing offense (305.5 yards per game)
- 18th in total offense (482.2 yards per game)
Jackson Vaughan, Linfield
Linfield's defense was really good last season, ranking 12th nationally at 274.1 yards per game and 14.1 points per game allowed. They've gotten better this season, hacking 50 yards a game off their total defense average and a point and a half per game off their scoring average. Standing at 11-1 and heading to the Division III semifinals, the Wildcats have limited nine foes to 14 points or less and rank among the top 15 nationally in total defense, rushing defense, passing defense, pass efficiency defense, scoring defense, third down defense and first downs defense. Linfield also ranks third in Division III with six defensive touchdowns, including five pick sixes.
Key Stats
- 3rd in total defense (222.6 yards per game allowed)
- 7th in scoring defense (12.6 points per game allowed)
- 2nd in pass efficiency defense (82.08)
- 5th in passing defense (130.6 yards per game allowed)
- 13th in third down defense (27.7 percent)
B.J. Hammer, Wabash
The Wabash Little Giants were, suffice to say, giants against the run this season, leading Division III by allowing just 66.3 yards per game this season. They also collected 10 tackles for loss per game, which ranks sixth nationally. Wabash, went 10-2 this season, held nine opponents this fall to 16 points or less and ranked 13th nationally in scoring defense at 14 points per game. Hammer's unit was excellent at pushing opponents off the field (28.5% conversions allowed), and ranked fifth in total defense at a shade over 240 yards per game allowed.
Key Stats
- 1st in rushing defense (66.3 yards per game allowed)
- 5th in total defense (240.1 yards per game allowed)
- 13th in scoring defense (14 points per game allowed)
- 6th in tackles for loss (10 per game)
Colin Bruton, Lakeland
To understand what Lakeland's defense accomplished this season, one must first understand where they came from. In 2013, the Muskies ranked 110th in total defense, 48th in rushing defense, 193rd in passing defense, 87th in pass efficiency defense and 130th in scoring defense. Fast forward a year and Lakeland leaped to 10th in total defense - a 110 yard per game improvement - fourth in rushing defense, 50th in passing defense, ninth in pass efficiency defense and 14th in scoring defense. The Muskies allowed only 2.24 yards per carry (fourth nationally), 26 percent conversions on third down (seventh), 52 percent red zone conversions (third) and averaged 9.7 tackles for loss per game (eighth).
Key Stats
- 4th in rushing defense (75.4 yards per game allowed)
- 10th in total defense (252. yards per game allowed)
- 4th in yards per carry allowed (2.24)
- 14th in scoring defense (14.3 points per game)
- 3rd in red zone defense (51.7 percent)
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