UF head coach Billy Napier has been named as one of 13 finalists for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award, the Football Writers Association of America and the Allstate Sugar Bowl announced on Tuesday.
The winner of the award will be announced on Dec. 20, and the award will be officially presented on Jan. 8 in Indianapolis prior to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.
After losing their season opener to Texas, Napier’s Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns reeled off 12 victories in a row, the longest winning streak in school history. In the process, they went undefeated in Sun Belt play for the first time and captured their fourth consecutive West division title.
Last Saturday, they defeated Appalachian State to win the school’s first outright conference championship since 1970.
Here is the complete list of finalists for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award:
Blake Anderson, Utah State
Dave Aranda, Baylor
Luke Fickell, Cincinnati
Thomas Hammock, Northen Illinois
Jim Harbaugh, Michigan
Billy Napier, Louisiana
Pat Narduzzi, Pittsburgh
Nick Saban, Alabama
Kalani Sitake, BYU
Kirby Smart, Georgia
Jeff Traylor, UTSA
Mel Tucker, Michigan State
Kyle Whittingham, Utah