Broyles Award announces five finalists for best assistant coach

The Broyles Award, part of the National College Football Awards Association, revealed their finalists for the 2021 season on Monday.

The initial Broyles Award nominee list was packed with assistant coaches who are considered among the best in the nation. The Big Ten led the way with nine nominees. The SEC had eight nominees. The ACC had seven while the Pac-12 and the Big 12 had three apiece.

The list is now down to three offensive coordinators and two defensive coordinators. Every Broyles finalist for best assistant will be coaching this weekend to help their teams secure conference titles.

The 2020 winner, Steve Sarkisian, left Alabama to become the head coach at the University of Texas. The award has not had a winner from the defensive side of the ball since Brent Venables in 2016.

At the end of the season, the five finalists will travel to Little Rock, Arkansas, for the two-day event culminating in a ceremony on Dec. 7. Legends like Barry Switzer, Phillip Fulmer, Lou Holtz, Mark Richt, Frank Beamer, Steve Spurrier, Bob Stoops and Bill Snyder are on the selection committee.

The award, named after gamed Arkansas Razorbacks coach Frank Broyles, is in its 26th year. Over two decades, Frank Broyles cultivated an incredible number of future coaches. His assistants went on as head coaches to win five national championships and many Super Bowl titles.

2021 Broyles Award Finalists

Dan Lanning – Defensive Coordinator, Georgia

There’s no more elite or dominant unit in college football this season than Dan Lanning’s Georgia defense. Allowing just 6.9 points per game, Lanning’s scoring defense is first in the nation and the best in the last decade, at least.

Led by Heisman candidate defensive tackle Jordan Davis, Lanning’s defense is getting ready to face Alabama once again for the SEC title.

Jim Knowles – Defensive Coordinator, Oklahoma State

The job Jim Knowles has done with the Oklahoma State defense over the last year deserves commendation. The Pokes went from 44th in the nation in 2020 to third in 2021, behind Georgia and Wisconsin.

They take on Baylor for the Big 12 conference title this weekend. Grimes held the Bears to 14 points earlier in the year.

Jeff Grimes – Offensive Coordinator, Baylor

Baylor offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes earned his Broyles award nomination after helping the Bears make significant improvements on offense this year. Grimes took the Bears from 100th in 2020 to 30th in 2021 in points scored per game. Grimes’ run game averages 223 rushing yards per game.

Josh Gattis – Offensive Coordinator, Michigan

Michigan offensive coordinator Josh Gattis passed one of the biggest tests of the year this weekend, taking down Ohio State with a whopping 42 points. The Wolverines average a 13th-best scoring offense led by Heisman candidate Cade McNamara. Michigan’s offense went from 78th overall last season to 19th. Michigan takes on Iowa for the Big 10 championship on Saturday.

Warren Ruggerio – Offensive Coordinator, Wake Forest

The Demon Deacons’ RPO system has caused trouble for opposing defenses all season, averaging 483 total yards per game. Warren Ruggerio’s offense put up 40 points or more in eight contests this season, including a 70-point game versus Army. Wake takes on No. 17 Pitt on Saturday.