TicketsDec. 2, 2009
CINCINNATI - University of Cincinnati head coach Brian Kelly has been named the American Football Coaches' Association Region 1 Coach of the Year for the second-straight season.
The AFCA recognizes five regional Coach of the Year winners in each of the Association's five divisions: Football Bowl Subdivision, Football Championship Subdivision, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA. The winners are selected by Active members of the Association who vote for coaches in their respective regions and divisions.
"It's a great honor to be selected by your peers for an award," Kelly said. "It speaks highly of the great season we've had at the University of Cincinnati to this point and the efforts of my coaching and support staff and our student-athletes."
Kelly is in his third season at Cincinnati with a record of 33-6. He led UC to a school-record 11-0 start and the No. 5 ranking in the country. UC has clinched a share of its second-straight BIG EAST Championship and is still in the BCS National Championship Game picture.
UC leads the nation in passing efficiency (171.9), despite losing starting quarterback and one-time Heisman Trophy candidate Tony Pike for four games due to an arm injury. The Bearcats lead the BIG EAST and rank fourth nationally in total offense, averaging 473 yards per game. UC also leads the league in passing offense (322.0), and scoring offense (39.4).
UC is ranked No. 5 in the Associated Press poll, USA Today Coaches poll, and Bowl Championship Series Standings entering the week.
Kelly is also a finalist for the George Munger Award, presented by the Maxwell Football Club.
The 2009 Regional Coach of the Year winners will be recognized at the AFCA Coach of the Year Dinner at the 2010 AFCA Convention in Orlando, Fla. The dinner is scheduled for January 12.