Full Breakdown
2025 Broyles Award Semifinalists Announced
12/3/2025, 11:37:39 PM
Overview of the Broyles Award
The Broyles Award, recognizing the top assistant coach in college football, has announced its 15 semifinalists for 2025. This year marks a historic moment as the award opened up to fan voting for the first time, allowing supporters to influence the selection of finalists and the eventual winner. The winner will be revealed during a live ceremony on February 12, 2026, in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Semifinalists for 2025
The list of semifinalists includes a mix of defensive and offensive coordinators from various colleges. The semifinalists are:
- Kane Wommack (Defensive Coordinator, Alabama)
- Danny Gonzales (Defensive Coordinator, Arizona)
- Aaron Roderick (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks, BYU)
- Mike Bobo (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks, Georgia)
- Buster Faulkner (Offensive Coordinator, Georgia Tech)
- Bryant Haines (Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers, Indiana)
- Blake Baker (Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers, LSU)
- Corey Hetherman (Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers, Miami)
- Mike Denbrock (Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends, Notre Dame)
- Matt Patricia (Defensive Coordinator, Ohio State)
- Charlie Weis Jr. (Offensive Coordinator, Ole Miss)
- Tosh Lupoi (Defensive Coordinator, Oregon)
- Collin Klein (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks, Texas A&M)
- Shiel Wood (Defensive Coordinator/Inside Linebackers, Texas Tech)
- Tim Beck (Offensive Coordinator, Vanderbilt)
The semifinalists comprise eight defensive coordinators (53%) and seven offensive coordinators (47%).
Performance Highlights
Several semifinalists have led their teams to impressive performances this season. For instance, Kane Wommack's Alabama defense ranks 11th nationally in scoring defense, allowing an average of 16.5 points per game. Mike Bobo's Georgia offense has also excelled, ranking 35th in scoring offense and 4th in red-zone touchdown percentage. Meanwhile, Corey Hetherman's Miami defense stands out as the top unit in the ACC, allowing only 13.8 points per game.
Buster Faulkner has guided Georgia Tech to a top-20 ranking in total offense, while Tosh Lupoi's Oregon defense ranks third nationally in total defense, showcasing the effectiveness of their respective schemes.
Official Statements & Responses
The Broyles Award's announcement has been met with enthusiasm from the college football community. Each semifinalist has received recognition for their contributions to their teams, with fan voting now open until December 8, 2025. This engagement allows fans to play a role in the award's outcome, reflecting the growing intersection of fan involvement in college sports.
Criticism & Opposition
While the fan voting initiative has been praised, some critics argue that it may undermine the traditional selection process, which relied solely on expert panels. Concerns have been raised about the potential influence of popularity over merit in determining the finalists.
What's Next
The finalists for the Broyles Award will be announced on December 8, 2025, at 1 p.m. ET. The final five will be honored at the 30th Broyles Award event, continuing the legacy of recognizing excellence in college football coaching.
