TicketsJan. 16, 2009
CINCINNATI -
University of Cincinnati head coach Brian Kelly was named the 2008 American Football Monthly Schutt Sports Football Bowl Subdivision Coach of the Year Friday.
American Football Monthly, a top resource for football coaches, and Schutt Sports, one of the nation's leading equipment manufacturers, has honored the top coaches since 1996. Each award symbolizes the essence of what makes a coach successful, both on and off the field.
"American Football Monthly's Schutt Sports Coach of the Year Awards are some of the most prestigious awards in football," says Dave Rossi, Vice President of Marketing at Schutt Sports. "We couldn't be more excited to help present this award to the most respected and influential coaches in all of football."
Entering his third year at the helm of the UC program, Kelly boasts a 22-6 record and led the Bearcats to their first BIG EAST Conference Championship in 2008.
Cincinnati achieved a school-record 11 victories in 2008, had back-to-back 10-win seasons for the first time in school history, won the school's first outright conference championship since 1964, and earned the school's first berth in a Bowl Championship Series game, playing against Virginia Tech in the 75th FedEx Orange Bowl.
UC achieved its best-ever ranking to close the regular season. The Bearcats were ranked at No. 12 in the Associated Press poll, USA Today Coaches poll, and the BCS standings entering the Orange Bowl. The Bearcats held down a postseason ranking of No. 17 in both polls, tying the top postseason ranking in school history and marking the first time UC has ranked in the end-of-season polls in school history.
UC finished the regular season on a six-game winning streak and for the first time captured all three of its rivalry trophies, the Victory Bell (Miami [OH]), Keg Of Nails (Louisville), and River City Rivalry (Pittsburgh) in the same season.
Following the close of the regular season, Kelly was named the BIG EAST Coach of the Year for the second-straight season. He also earned American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Region 1 Coach of the Year honors, and was named BIG EAST Coach of the Year by Sporting News.
UC placed 10 student-athletes on the all-BIG EAST teams, including first-team selection Connor Barwin, who was a tight end entering spring practice in 2008. Five players earned all-America honors, including punter Kevin Huber who became the first two-time first-team Associated Press all-American in school history.
To make season tickets deposits for 2009, please call the UC Athletics Ticket Office at 1-877-CATS-TIX, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Orders can also be placed online by logging on to CATSTIX.com.
All 2009 season ticket patrons will enjoy a host of benefits, starting with events leading up to BEARCAT BOWL III, UC's spring football game, on April 25 at Nippert Stadium and continuing throughout the summer and into the fall. These incentives will be spread over three tiers, based on the date of ticket purchase.
2008 AMERICAN FOOTBALL MONTHLY SCHUTT SPORTS COACH OF THE YEAR HONOREES
- Brian Kelly, University of Cincinnati (FBS)
- Mike London, University of Richmond (FCS)
- Bob Nielson, University of Minnesota-Duluth (Division II)
- Todd Mooney, Lagrange College (Division III)
- Kalen DeBoer, University of Sioux Falls (NAIA)
- Jeff Jordan, JUCO, Butte College (JUCO)