2014 Running Backs Coach of the Year - Finalists

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 12th.

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 Running Backs Coach of the Year award are Burton Burns (Alabama, 2008), Willie Taggart (Stanford, 2009), Jim Mastro (Nevada, 2010), Frank Wilson (LSU, 2011), Calvin Magee (Arizona, 2012), and Jeff Lebby (Baylor, 2013)

Bryan McClendon, Georgia

Georgia and Bryan McClendon literally gave new meaning to the term "stable of running backs" in 2014. Starter Todd Gurley and key contributors Sony Michel and Keith Marshall all missed games at one time due to injury, and McClendon always had a guy ready to step in and carry the load. True freshman Nick Chubb turned out to be a nice addition to the rotation, averaging nearly seven yards per carry and accounting for 107 yards per game. Gurley also found a way to excel, despite being the focal point for every defense, rushing for over 900 yards in just six appearances, averaging 152 yards per game in that span.

Key Stats

• 13th in rushing (255 yards per game)
• 7th in yards per carry as a team (6.10 yards per carry)
• Two players (Gurley and Chubb) averaging over 100 yards per game
• 1st in rushing TDs against ranked opponents as a team (12)
• 8th nationally in 30+ yard runs as a team

Deland McCullough, Indiana

Under the tutelage of Deland McCullough, Hoosier running back Tevin Coleman has gone from relative unknown to a name you wouldn't be surprised to see on Heisman ballots. Coleman ranks second nationally in rushing yards per game (169.67 ypg), and is ripping off almost eight yards per carry. During the month of October alone, when a lot of running backs are starting to wear down, Coleman put together his best month, going for just short of 11 yards per carry. McCullough has also gotten the most out of Coleman when they needed it the most, as Coleman averages over three yards more per carry against FBS winning programs than he does against non-winning FBS schools. In his finest performance of the season, Coleman single-handedly kept Indiana in the game against Ohio State by rushing 27 times for 228 yards and three touchdowns.

Key Stats

• 2nd - Tevin Coleman ranks second in rushing yards (169.67 ypg)
• Coleman averages nearly 8 yards per carry (14th nationally among RBs)
• 11 yards per carry during the month of October
• Averages over 3 more yards per carry against FBS winning programs than FBS non-winning programs.

Cale Gundy, Oklahoma

On the sturdy legs of Alex Ross and Samaje Perine, Oklahoma's rushing attack has become one of the most effective in the country. The Sooners rank in the top eight nationally in both yards per carry as a team (6.3) and rushing touchdowns (35). Against Kansas, Samaje Perine set the NCAA rushing record in a single game with a 427-yard explosion, which also helped to solidify the top spot among all Big 12 rushers by a margin of nearly 30 yards per game (129.82 yards per game rushing).

Key Stats

• 6th in yards per carry as a team (6.3)
• 8th in rushing touchdowns (35)
• 1st nationally in rushing yards during November by over 20 yards per game (393.75 yards per game)
• Perine is one of only two RBs in the Big 12 averaging more than 100 yards per game (129.82)
• Two players rank in the top 30 in yards per carry (Ross and Perine)
• Perine is 7th nationally in long rushing plays of 20+ yards (16)

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