After leading the Knights to an undefeated season, University of Central Florida head coach Scott Frost took home another win Wednesday. Frost was named college football Coach of the Year at the American Heart Association’s 32nd annual Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards, held at downtown's Hilton Americas-Houston and presented by Marathon Oil Corporation.
The coveted award, named for the distinguished longtime head coach of the University of Alabama football team, is bestowed by the National Sports Media Association in recognition of an elite group of coaches for their distinguished leadership on and off the field.
Frost’s achievements at UCF include taking his team from 0-12 to 13-0 in just two seasons, and ending the season with a 34-27 win over Auburn in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl.
Frost told the audience that when he came to UCF, the team was struggling. “Now two years later they are leaving as champions, and I am so happy for them.”
Frost's success didn’t go unnoticed by Nebraska. He will take over as head coach of Cornhuskers next season.
The recipient of this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award, Steve Spurrier, ambassador and consultant at the University of Florida, is one of only four individuals named to the College Football Hall of Fame as both a player and a coach.
Spurrier won the Heisman Trophy in 1966 playing for the University of Florida; in 1989 he coached Duke to its first ACC Football championship in 55 years. He led the Florida Gators to six conference titles.
"Receiving the Coach Bryant Award from the American Heart Association is one of the best awards for coaching there is in the country. When I was an active coach for twenty five years, I did not win it. Winning the Lifetime Achievement Coach Bryant Award is just as good," Spurrier said while accepting the award.
Other finalists for Coach of the Year in attendance were Paul Chryst (Wisconsin); Clay Helton (University of Southern California); Gus Malzahn (Auburn University); Jeff Monken (Army); Kirby Smart (University of Georgia); and Dabo Swinney (Clemson University).
Funds raised from the Bryant Awards benefit American Heart Association research, advocacy and educational programs across the country aimed at the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.
In case you missed it, you can catch the program when it re-airs on various FOX Sports affiliates in February.
Pat McInturff, Chris McInturff.
