Philadelphia, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - Voters might find selecting the 2014 Eddie Robinson Award winner to be difficult work this year. The list of 20 finalists for FCS coach of the year is strong.
Twelve of the finalists have led their teams into The Sports Network Top 25. Many have guided championship seasons or have their teams on the verge of one. Some have raised their teams from the lower half of their conference.
Past winners of the esteemed Eddie Robinson include Mark Duffner, Erk Russell, Chris Ault, Jim Tressel, Houston Nutt, Andy Talley, Paul Johnson, Joe Glenn, Jerry Kill, Jerry Moore, and the only two-time winners, Mickey Matthews and Craig Bohl.
This year's list of finalists includes one past winner, 2005 recipient Sean McDonnell of top-ranked New Hampshire. There are five finalists in their first season as their school's head coach - Clint Conque of Stephen F. Austin, Broderick Fobbs of Grambling State, John Grass of Jacksonville State, Chris Klieman of North Dakota State and Everett Withers of James Madison.
A national panel of sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries select the Robinson Award, now in its 28th year. The winner will be announced Dec. 15 at The Sports Network FCS Awards Banquet and Presentation.
The Sports Network FCS Awards package is located at http://tinyurl.com/n5ysh8x.
The 2014 Eddie Robinson Award finalists:
Beau Baldwin, Eastern Washington (Big Sky Conference)
Rod Broadway, North Carolina A&T (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference)
Clint Conque, Stephen F. Austin (Southland Conference)
Marty Fine, Bryant (Northeast Conference)
Broderick Fobbs, Grambling State (Southwestern Athletic Conference)
John Grass, Jacksonville State (Ohio Valley Conference)
Dean Hood, Eastern Kentucky (Ohio Valley Conference)
Russ Huesman, Chattanooga (Southern Conference)
Chris Klieman, North Dakota State (Missouri Valley Football Conference)
Mike Kramer, Idaho State (Big Sky Conference)
Dale Lindsey, San Diego (Pioneer Football League)
Sean McDonnell, New Hampshire (CAA Football)
Joe Moglia, Coastal Carolina (Big South Conference)
Tim Murphy, Harvard (Ivy League)
Tony Reno, Yale (Ivy League)
Mike Sanford, Indiana State (Missouri Valley Football Conference)
Brock Spack, Illinois State (Missouri Valley Football Conference)
Mark Speir, Western Carolina (Southern Conference)
Joe Susan, Bucknell (Patriot League)
Everett Withers, James Madison (CAA Football)
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