About a week after naming a record amount of nominees for the Broyles Award, the organization has announced their list of 15 semifinalists.
The award, which has gone annually to the top assistant coach in college football for the past 30 seasons, started off with a total of 63 nominees this year and for the first time in the award’s rich history, was open to a fan vote.
Here are the 15 semifinalists.
ALABAMA – Kane Wommack, Defensive Coordinator
ARIZONA – Danny Gonzales, Defensive Coordinator
BYU – Aaron Roderick, Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks
GEORGIA – Mike Bobo, Offensive Coordinator/ Quarterbacks
GEORGIA TECH – Buster Faulkner, Offensive Coordinator
INDIANA – Bryant Haines, Defensive Coordinator/ Linebackers
LSU – Blake Baker, Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers
MIAMI – Corey Hetherman, Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers
NOTRE DAME – Mike Denbrock, Offensive Coordinator/ Tight Ends
OHIO STATE – Matt Patricia, Defensive Coordinator
OLE MISS – Charlie Weis Jr., Offensive Coordinator
OREGON – Tosh Lupoi, Defensive Coordinator
TEXAS A&M – Collin Klein, Offensive Coordinator/ Quarterbacks
TEXAS TECH – Shiel Wood, Defensive Coordinator / Inside Linebackers
VANDERBILT – Tim Beck, Offensive Coordinator
The makeup of the semifinalists consists of:
EIGHT defensive coordinators (53%)
SEVEN offensive coordinators (47%)
There were a total of 14 of 63 nominees that consisted of special teams coordinators (11 total) and position coaches / other titles (3 total), but none of those individuals were among the semifinalists.
Fans had a direct vote in deciding the coaches who make it to the semifinalists, and will continue to be able to help decide the finalists, and ultimately who wins the award as well. Voting can take place via this link.
Past winners of the award include Lane Kiffin, Kirby Smart, Lincoln Riley, Dan Lanning, Gus Malzahn, and Steve Sarkisian.
Last year’s winner was Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden, who left South Bend to become the defensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals this past off season.
The winner of the award will be announced Thursday February 12th, 2026, during a live ceremony in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.
