The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Sarkisian named semifinalist for George Munger College Coach of the Year Award
12.07.2023 | Football
Steve Sarkisian among 14 semifinalists named for the award presented to the top coach in collegiate football.
PHILADELPHIA – No. 3 Texas Football head coach Steve Sarkisian has been selected as one of 14 semifinalists for the George Munger College Coach of the Year Award, the Maxwell Football Club announced on Thursday.
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 a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award and on the coach of the year watch lists for the Paul "Bear" Bryant Award and Dodd Trophy.
Finalists will be announced on December 21st and the winner of the 2023 George Munger Award will be announced on Wednesday January 10, 2024.
The George Munger Award will be formally presented at the 87th Maxwell Awards Gala which will be held on Friday March 8, 2024, at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Georgia. Event tickets will go on sale on December 15th.
2023 George Munger College Coach of the Year Semifinalists
Nick Saban Alabama
Jedd Fisch, Arizona
Mike Norvell, Florida State
Curt Cignetti – James Madison
Jamey Chadwell, Liberty
Jeff Brohm, Louisville
Eli Drinkwitz, Missouri
Jerry Kill, New Mexico State
David Braun, Northwestern
Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss
Rhett Lashlee, SMU
Steve Sarkisian, Texas
Barry Odom, UNLV
Kalen DeBoer, Washington
