The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Sarkisian named Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award finalist
12.05.2023 | Football
Steve Sarkisian among 12 finalists named for the award presented annually since 1957.
DALLAS – No. 3 Texas Football head coach Steve Sarkisian has been selected as one of 12 finalists for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award, the Football Writers Association of America announced on Tuesday.
Legendary Longhorn coach Darrell K Royal was a two-time winner for the award, earning the honor in 1961 and '63, while Mack Brown was a three-time finalist for Texas with his name on the ballot in 2005, '08 and '09.
Sarkisian has led the Longhorns to a 12-1 record, the first Big 12 Championship since 2009 and selection to the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history. The 12 wins are the most for the Longhorns since the 2009 season and mark the fourth season with 12-plus wins in program history (2005, 2008, 2009). Texas currently holds a seven-game winning streak, the longest since 2008-09 (17 games).
Texas features a balanced attack that is averaging 36.0 points per game (16th NCAA) and allowing just 17.5 points per game (13th NCAA), outscoring opponents 470 to 228 on the year, while ranking ninth in total offense (475.9) and 23rd in total defense (321.7).
The offense is led by quarterback Quinn Ewers, the Big 12 Championship Game Most Outstanding Player and a Davey O'Brien Award semifinalist, who ranks eighth in the nation in completion percentage (70.7 percent), 10th in passing efficiency (162.6) and 13th in passing yards per game (287.4), while passing for 3,161 yards, the eighth-most in a season in UT history. Doak Walker Award semifinalist Jonathon Brooks rushed for 1,139 yards in 10 games before going sustaining a season-ending injury. The group of wide receivers with Xavier Worthy (73 receptions, 969 yards, 5 TDs), Adonai Mitchell (51 receptions, 813 yards, 10 TDs), and Jordan Whittington (38 receptions, 439 yards, 1 TD), along with John Mackey Award semifinalist Ja'Tavion Sanders (39 receptions, 607 yards, 2 TDs) have proven to be one of the most exciting receiving corps in the nation, while the offensive line unit of Kelvin Banks Jr., Hayden Conner, Jake Majors, DJ Campbell and Christian Jones garnered Joe Moore Award semifinalist distinction as one of the top offensive lines in the nation.
On the defensive side of the ball, Outland Trophy finalist T'Vondre Sweat and Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year Byron Murphy II combine for the most formidable defensive front in the nation, helping the Texas defense hold opponents to 80.8 rushing yards per game (3rd NCAA). The defense also touts Butkus Award semifinalist Jaylan Ford and Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist Jahdae Barron, who have helped the Horns ranked second in the nation in third-down defense (26.5 percent) and fourth in red zone defense (71.4 percent).
Sarkisian is also on the coach of the year watch lists for the Paul "Bear" Bryant Award and Dodd Trophy.
The 12 Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award Award finalists have been placed on a ballot which has been sent to the entire FWAA membership today. The 2023 recipient will be announced on Wed., Dec. 20. The official presentation will be at a reception Sat., Jan. 6, 2024, in Houston, the site of the College Football Playoff National Championship.
The FWAA has presented a coaching award since the 1957 season when Ohio State's Woody Hayes was named the first recipient. In 1997, the FWAA coaching award was named after the late Robinson, a coaching legend at Grambling State University for 55 seasons.
The Eddie Robinson Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA includes college football's most prestigious awards and its 24 awards have honored more than 900 recipients dating back to 1935.
Founded in 1941, the Football Writers Association of America consists of journalists, broadcasters, publicists, photographers and key executives in all areas of college football. The FWAA works to govern media access and gameday operations while presenting awards and honors, including an annual All-America team.
2023 Eddie Robinson Award Finalists
David Braun, Northwestern
Jamey Chadwell, Liberty
Kalen DeBoer, Washington
Eliah Drinkwitz, Missouri
Jedd Fisch, Arizona
Rhett Lashlee, SMU
Chuck Martin, Miami (Ohio)
Mike Norvell, Florida State
Barry Odom, UNLV
Nick Saban Alabama
Steve Sarkisian, Texas
Jon Sumrall, Troy
