Pitt's Conner named ACC player of year by coaches

GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) Atlantic Coast Conference coaches have selected Pittsburgh running back James Conner as their league player of the year and Georgia Tech's Paul Johnson as coach of the year.

The coaches released their all-conference teams and individual award winners Wednesday. The list included: Clemson's Vic Beasley as defensive player of the year; Miami quarterback Brad Kaaya as league and offensive rookie of the year; and Virginia safety Quin Blanding as defensive rookie of the year.

Conner, a sophomore also named offensive player of the year, was the league's top rusher at 1,675 yards and set an ACC and school single-season record with 24 rushing touchdowns. He was named league player of the year by media members last week.

Conner earned six votes, outdistancing two Florida State players - reigning Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston and receiver Rashad Greene - who each had two votes.

Johnson, who led the Yellow Jackets to the ACC title game, earned 10 votes. FSU's Jimbo Fisher and Duke's David Cutcliffe earning two each.

The league champion Seminoles had a league-best 18 selections to the coaches' all-conference teams, with Winston and Greene among nine first-team picks.

Virginia was second with nine selections despite failing to qualify for a bowl, while Miami had eight. Duke and Georgia Tech each had seven.

The 14 coaches were not allowed to vote for their own players for the all-ACC teams.

(Previous versions of this story incorrectly said how many FSU players earned all-ACC honors. The Seminoles had a total of 18 all-ACC picks from the coaches, not 18 players selected.)