Sitake named a finalist for Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award

DALLAS — BYU head football coach Kalani Sitake has been named one of 13 finalists for the 2021 Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award, presented annually by the Football Writers Association of America in conjunction with the Allstate Sugar Bowl.

Sitake is one of three returning finalists from the 2020 season, having led BYU to back-to-back seasons with double-digit victories. BYU posted a 10-2 regular-season record in 2021 to receive No. 12/14 rankings in the national polls and a No. 13 CFP ranking. The season featured a 5-0 record against Pac-12 schools, including a 26-17 victory over conference champion Utah along with wins over then-nationally ranked Arizona State, Arizona, USC and Washington State. Among its 10 victories, the Cougars also defeated Mountain West Conference champion Utah State as well as bowl-bound ACC foe Virginia. 

The Cougars are led by Tyler Allgeier who is tied for the national lead with 20 rushing touchdowns and is eighth with 1,409 rushing yards. The BYU offense is ranked in the top 30 in 12 different categories. Also a finalist for the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame in 2021, Sitake is a former player under Hall of Fame coach Lavell Edwards, who won the Eddie Robinson Award in 1984 after leading the Cougars to a National Championship. Sitake is 3-1 in bowl games as a head coach. This year BYU will face UAB in the 45th Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl on Dec. 18 in Shreveport, Louisiana. 

Other finalists for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award include all four coaches competing in the College Football Playoffs and four other coaches with teams playing in New Year’s Six Bowl games. In all, 10 of the finalists led their teams to conference championships. In alphabetical order the 2021 finalists are, Blake Anderson, Utah State; Dave Aranda, Baylor; Luke Fickell, Cincinnati; Thomas Hammock, NIU; Jim Harbaugh, Michigan; Billy Napier, Louisiana; Pat Narduzzi, Pitt; Nick Saban, Alabama; Kalani Sitake, BYU; Kirby Smart, Georgia; Jeff Traylor, UTSA; Mel Tucker, Michigan State; and Kyle Whittingham, Utah.

"The Allstate Sugar Bowl is honored to remember a Louisiana legend by sponsoring the FWAA Coach of the Year Award named after Coach Robinson," said Ralph Capitelli, Sugar Bowl Committee President. "In addition, we have the opportunity to give recognition to the best college coaches in the nation each year. We look forward to presenting the trophy to the winner in Indianapolis next month."

The 13 finalists Eddie Robinson Award have been placed on a ballot which has been sent to the FWAA membership. The 2021 recipient will be announced on Monday, Dec. 20, 2021. The official presentation will be at a reception Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022, in Indianapolis prior to the College Football Playoff National Championship.

The Eddie Robinson Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA and its 25 awards now boast over 800 recipients, dating to 1935. Visit ncfaa.org and @NCFAA on Twitter to learn more about the association.

The Allstate Sugar Bowl has established itself as one of the premier college football bowl games, having hosted 28 national champions, 99 Hall of Fame players, 51 Hall of Fame coaches and 19 Heisman Trophy winners in its 87-year history. The 88th Allstate Sugar Bowl Football Classic is scheduled to be played on Jan. 1, 2022 between Baylor and Ole Miss. In addition to football, the Sugar Bowl Committee annually invests over $1.6 million into the community through the hosting and sponsorship of sporting events, awards and clinics. For more information, visit AllstateSugarBowl.org.

Founded in 1941, the Football Writers Association of America consists of journalists, broadcasters, publicists, photographers and key executives in all areas of college football. The FWAA works to govern media access and gameday operations while presenting awards and honors, including an annual All-America team.