Florida Gators' Billy Napier Named Eddie Robinson Award Finalist
New Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier has been named one of 13 finalists for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award, the Football Writers Association of America and the Allstate Sugar Bowl announced on Tuesday, a credit to his work during the 2021 season and his final campaign with the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns.
The Ragin' Cajuns won the Sun Belt Championship over Appalachian State this past Saturday, marking the first Sun Belt conference title in school history, and finished the season before their bowl game with a 12-1 record and an 8-0 conference record. Napier would leave Louisiana to take over the Gators' head coaching job the next day.
The 2021 recipient will be announced on Monday, Dec. 20. The official presentation will be at a reception Saturday, Jan. 8, in Indianapolis, Ind. prior to the College Football Playoff National Championship.
In alphabetical order (by last name), you can find each of the finalists below.
Blake Anderson, Utah State
Dave Aranda, Baylor
Luke Fickell, Cincinnati
Thomas Hammock, NIU
Jim Harbaugh, Michigan
Billy Napier, Louisiana
Pat Narduzzi, Pittsburgh
Nick Saban, Alabama
Kalani Sitake, BYU
Kirby Smart, Georgia
Jeff Traylor, UTSA
Mel Tucker, Michigan State
Kyle Whittingham, Utah
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