The Frank Broyles Award celebrates its 30th anniversary this year by introducing a groundbreaking element—for the first time ever, fans can vote to help determine college football’s top assistant coach. With five exceptional coordinators in contention, each brings a compelling case built on statistical excellence, program transformation, and championship-level results.
The winner will be announced February 12th at a ceremony in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Until then, let’s examine each finalist’s credentials and determine who presents the strongest overall case for the honor.
1. Matt Patricia (Ohio State) – The Statistical Titan
Signature Achievement: Leading the nation in scoring defense, total defense, and fewest touchdowns allowed simultaneously.
Matt Patricia’s first season at Ohio State has produced numbers that seem almost fictional in modern college football. Allowing 8.2 points per game in 2025—when offenses regularly eclipse 40 points—represents a defensive standard few coordinators achieve in their entire careers, let alone their first season at a new program.
The comprehensiveness of his dominance separates Patricia from every other finalist. It’s not just one elite ranking—it’s leading the nation in virtually every defensive category that directly impacts winning. Total defense (213.5 yards per game), scoring defense (8.2 points per game), touchdowns allowed (10), red zone defense (first nationally), third-down defense (seventh nationally)—the list continues without revealing meaningful weaknesses.
Patricia held eight opponents to fewer than 10 points across a 13-game schedule that included Big Ten competition and quality non-conference opponents. His defense allowed more than 16 points exactly once all season. That consistency matters when evaluating coaching excellence.
The context makes Patricia’s case even stronger. He arrived in Columbus after two decades away from college football, facing skepticism about whether NFL concepts would translate. He inherited a talented roster but needed to install a completely new system while earning players’ trust and adapting to recruiting, NIL considerations, and the transfer portal—elements that didn’t exist when he last coached college football in the 1990s.
His player development produced four First-Team All-Big Ten selections and three Second-Team honors. Seven All-Big Ten defensive players in one season doesn’t happen without exceptional coaching that maximizes individual talent while maintaining scheme integrity.
The Strongest Case: When measuring pure defensive dominance through objective statistical criteria, Patricia’s resume is unmatched. No other finalist leads the nation in multiple major categories. His defense doesn’t just win games—it suffocates opponents in ways that define generational units.
2. Bryant Haines (Indiana) – The Perfect Season Architect
Signature Achievement: Orchestrating Indiana’s first undefeated regular season and College Football Playoff appearance while ranking second nationally in total and scoring defense.
Bryant Haines deserves immense credit for what he accomplished in his first season with the Hoosiers. Indiana went 13-0 in the regular season, earned a Big Ten Championship, and secured the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff—achievements that seemed impossible for this program just months ago.
His defense powered that transformation. Ranking second nationally in total defense (256.3 yards per game) and scoring defense (10.8 points per game) while leading the nation in rushing defense (80.2 yards per game) created a unit opposing offenses couldn’t solve. Like Patricia, Haines held eight opponents to fewer than 10 points, demonstrating consistent dominance rather than occasional brilliance.
The rush defense numbers particularly stand out—allowing 80.2 yards per game forced opponents into one-dimensional attacks that Haines’ secondary consistently disrupted. His defense set program records for fewest total yards and fewest rushing yards allowed in a season, rewriting Indiana’s defensive history.
Haines’ first-year impact at Indiana mirrors Patricia’s at Ohio State, but with the added narrative of transforming a program that had never reached these heights. The undefeated regular season and top playoff seed provide tangible evidence of his defensive excellence translating to team success.
Why Second: The statistics are elite but slightly behind Patricia’s. The 10.8 points per game scoring defense trails Patricia’s 8.2 by 2.6 points—roughly one additional touchdown allowed every four games. In total defense, the gap is 42.8 yards per game. These differences seem small but become meaningful when comparing the absolute best defensive coordinators in the country.
3. Shiel Wood (Texas Tech) – The Program Transformer
Signature Achievement: Leading Texas Tech to a program-record 12 wins and Big 12 Championship while creating one of college football’s only truly balanced teams.
Shiel Wood’s impact on Texas Tech cannot be overstated. This is a program historically defined by offensive fireworks and defensive struggles. Wood flipped that narrative completely, building a defense that leads the nation with 31 takeaways while allowing just 68.5 rushing yards per game—the best mark in FBS.
The Red Raiders rank third nationally in scoring defense and became the only team in the country ranking in the top five in both scoring offense and scoring defense. That balance is extraordinarily difficult to achieve and represents comprehensive program excellence rather than relying on one side of the ball.
Wood’s defense is on pace to post Texas Tech’s lowest single-season defensive average since 1946—a remarkable historical achievement that contextualizes his impact. The 31 takeaways show an aggressive, opportunistic scheme that creates game-changing moments beyond preventing points.
The Big 12 Championship and program-record 12 wins validate Wood’s defensive philosophy. He didn’t just improve Texas Tech’s defense—he redefined what’s possible for this program defensively while maintaining the offensive identity that makes the Red Raiders dangerous.
Why Third: Wood’s achievements are impressive, particularly the takeaway numbers and rush defense. However, ranking third nationally in scoring defense rather than first or second creates separation from Patricia and Haines. The complete balance Wood created makes Texas Tech formidable, but pure defensive dominance metrics favor the coordinators ranked above him.
4. Mike Bobo (Georgia) – The Offensive Mastermind
Signature Achievement: Revamping Georgia’s offense to win the SEC Championship despite a first-year starting quarterback and significant offensive line injuries.
Mike Bobo stands alone among the finalists as an offensive coordinator, which makes direct comparisons challenging. His task differed entirely—rebuild Georgia’s offensive identity while navigating personnel challenges that could have derailed the season.
The Bulldogs rank second nationally in red zone touchdown efficiency at 79%, converting nearly four out of every five trips inside the 20 into touchdowns. That efficiency in critical situations demonstrates excellent play-calling and preparation. The rushing offense improved significantly to 186 yards per game, establishing physical dominance despite offensive line injuries.
Georgia’s 12-1 record, SEC Championship, and No. 3 playoff seed validate Bobo’s offensive game planning against elite competition. His ability to develop first-year starting quarterback Gunner Stockton while maintaining championship-level offensive production shows coaching versatility and adaptability.
Why Fourth: Bobo’s accomplishments are significant, but Georgia ranks 34th nationally in scoring offense and 45th in total offense. While context explains these rankings—injuries, new quarterback, tough competition—they don’t match the top-three national rankings the defensive coordinators ahead of him produced. His red zone efficiency is elite, but overall offensive production metrics trail the defensive dominance displayed by Patricia, Haines, and Wood.
5. Corey Hetherman (Miami) – The Turnaround Specialist
Signature Achievement: Making the second-biggest improvement nationally in points allowed per drive while helping Miami reach the College Football Playoff in year one.
Corey Hetherman’s immediate impact at Miami demonstrates his coaching ability and defensive expertise. Significantly improving the Hurricanes’ defensive performance in his first season shows he can diagnose problems, implement solutions, and earn players’ trust quickly.
His track record at Minnesota—where his defense ranked fifth nationally in total defense and ninth in scoring defense in 2024—proves sustained excellence rather than one-year flukes. Bringing that success to a new program with different personnel and challenges shows adaptability.
Miami’s elite turnover margin under Hetherman created the short fields and momentum swings that power championship runs. His defense gave Miami’s offense opportunities to maximize their talents, contributing to the playoff berth.
Why Fifth: While Hetherman’s improvement metrics are impressive, there’s less comprehensive statistical data available compared to other finalists. Miami’s defense performed well but doesn’t lead the nation in any major category. The improvement narrative is compelling, but the other coordinators produced top-three national units in their respective metrics.
Cast Your Historic Vote
For three decades, a selection committee has determined the Broyles Award winner. This year, fans join that process with a vote weighted equally alongside committee members. This represents a genuine opportunity to recognize coaching excellence through direct participation.
Vote for the coordinator you believe deserves the Broyles Award by casting your ballot once every 24 hours through January 26th at 11 PM CST. Each vote also enters you for two VIP passes to the February 12th ceremony in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
All five finalists represent the highest level of assistant coaching in college football. Each transformed their program, developed elite players, and contributed to championship pursuits. But when evaluating the complete body of evidence—statistical dominance, consistency, player development, and degree of difficulty—Matt Patricia’s historically elite defensive performance presents the strongest case for the 2025 Broyles Award.
