The FootballScoop Coaches of the Year awards, presented by ProGrass, are the only set of awards that recognize the most outstanding position coaches in college football. Finalists were selected based off of nominations by coaches, athletic directors and other athletic department personnel. The winner will be chosen by the previous winners of this award and will be announced in January.

The 2013 FootballScoop Coaches of the Year will be recognized and will receive their awards at an event held in their honor at the American Football Coaches Association’s annual convention in January.

Previous winners of the Defensive Line Coach of the Year award are Dick Bumpas (TCU – 2008), Jim Panagos (Central Florida – 2009), Bill Kirelawich (West Virginia – 2010), Brick Haley (LSU – 2011) and Randy Hart (Stanford – 2012).

Ron Burton Defensive Line Coach of the Year Finalist

Sometimes in life, things just work out. And in his first year coaching defensive line at Michigan State, things just worked out for Ron Burton. In winning the school’s first Big Ten title in a generation, the Spartans led the nation in rushing defense (80.77 yards per game), yards per carry allowed (2.70) and tied for the national lead in rushes of 10-plus yards allowed (30) while also leading the nation in total defense (248.2) and yards per play (3.94). Additionally, the Michigan State defensive line also pressured passers to complete just 47.2 percent of their passes (third nationally) for 5.1 yards per attempt (second) and 167.4 yards per game (fourth), adding up to a second-lowest 91.48 opposing passer rating. Key Stats: 1st in rushing defense (80.77) 1st in yards per carry allowed (2.7) 1st in rushes of 10+ yards allowed (30) 1st in yards per play allowed (3.94)

Randy Hart Defensive Line Coach of the Year Finalist

It was a repeat as Pac-12 champions for Stanford and, not coincidentally at all, it’s a repeat finalist appearance for 2012 FootballScoop Defensive Line Coach of the Year honoree Randy Hart. This fall marked the third year in a row Stanford led the Pac-12 in rush defense (91.62 yards per game) and yards per carry allowed (2.98); the Cardinal ranked third and fourth, respectively, in those categories. Hart’s bunch also led the nation in sacks (40) for a second consecutive season, but saw their tackles for loss ranking dip from first all the way to eighth (96). Opponents threw for just 6.2 yards per attempt against Stanford, and converted only 32.62 percent of their third down chances. Both figures rank among the top 20 nationally. Equally important, the Stanford front freed up linebackers Shayne Skov and Trent Murphy to have First Team All-Pac-12 seasons. The duo combined to produce 158 tackles with 18.5 sacks and 31.5 TFLs. Key Stats: 3rd in rushing defense (91.62) 4th in yard per carry allowed (2.98) 1st in sacks (40) 8th in tackles for loss (96)

Craig Kuligowski Defensive Line Coach of the Year Finalist

Missouri jumped from 5-7 to 11-2 this year, and the backbone of the Tigers’ much-improved season was Craig Kool’s defensive line. In winning 11 of their first 12 wins and taking the school’s first SEC East title in just their second year in the division, Missouri ranked second in the SEC in rushing defense, allowing just 1,429 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on 400 carries (3.57 per carry). The Tigers’ 37 sacks are tied for the seventh-most in college football, and their 101 tackles for loss are the third most in FBS. Individually, defensive end Michael Sam earned SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Year, leading the conference with 10.5 sacks and 18 tackles for loss. Key Stats: 3rd in tackles for loss (101) t-7th in sacks (37) 1st Michael Sam ranks 1st in the SEC in sacks (10.5) 1st Michael Sam ranks 1st in the SEC in TFL (18)

Jon Sumrall Defensive Line Coach of the Year Finalist

Tulane posted one of the best turnarounds of college football in 2013, morphing a 2-10 record into a 7-5 mark and an appearance in the New Orleans Bowl. Needless it say, it couldn’t have been done without excellent defensive line play. A year after finishing 12th in a 12-team league in rushing defense and yards per carry allowed, Tulane ranked second in the league in rush defense (119.67 yards per game) and first in yards per carry allowed (3.13). The Green Wave also cut their rushing touchdowns allowed in half, from 30 to 15, year over year. Tulane also led the conference in tackles for loss (101) and ranked second in sacks (34), after finishing 11th and 12th in the conference, respectively, in 2012. Key Stats: 1st in C-USA in tackles for loss (101) 2nd in C-USA in sacks (34) 1st in C-USA in yards per carry allowed (3.13) 2nd in C-USA in rush defense (119.67)

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