Joel Klatt reveals his midseason top five coaches for Broyles Award

The college football season is already at its midway point. With that, analyst Joel Klatt decided to dive into some of the major awards. That includes the Broyles Award.

The Broyles Award is, of course, the award to the top assistant coach in the country. Named after Frank Broyles, it’s been given out since 1996. During that time, it’s gone to some massive names, typically in either an offensive or defensive coordinator role. It’s also often an indicator of what assistant coaches could be looking at head coaching jobs in the near future.

With that in mind, Klatt ranked his top five candidates for the Broyles Award at the midpoint in the season. That included naming who is winner is, as of now. Though there is plenty of time for things to change.

Blake Baker, DC, LSU

In recent years, the LSU Tigers have seemingly relied on excellent offenses to overcome struggling defenses. That’s been just the opposite this season, though, with defensive coordinator Blake Baker now leading one of the best units in the country in just his second season in Baton Rouge. Given the turnaround on that side of the ball, it’s no surprise Klatt has Baker as a Broyles contender.

LSU currently has the 21st-ranked total defense, giving up just 297 yards per game. More importantly, the Tigers are fifth in scoring defense, giving up just 11.8 points per game. Now, Baker is hoping that defense can keep it up and even improve in the back half of the season.

Bryant Haines, DC/LBs, Indiana

Klatt has clearly been impressed by Indiana this season. There, the Hoosiers have produced one of the best defenses in the country. That’s largely a credit to defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Bryant Haines. Now, he’s a very real Broyles candidate.

This season, Indiana is tied for the fourth-ranked total defense, giving up just 229 yards per game. The Hoosiers are also ranked fourth in scoring defense, giving up just 11.3 points per game. That’s going to be difficult to keep up in the second half. If Haines and Indiana can do it, though, they may be on their way to the College Football Playoff.

Mike Shanahan, OC/WRs, Indiana

A hint that it might be a good season for Indiana is that the Hoosiers have two contenders for the Broyles Award at the midseason. Klatt also included Mike Shanahan, the Indiana offensive coordinator on his list. That’s with good reason too. After some major roster turnover and newfound expectations, this offense has lived up to it.

Shanahan is the only offensive coach Klatt has on his Broyles watchlist. Statistically, he’s lived up to that. Indiana is eighth nationally in total offense, gaining 502.8 yards per game. The Hoosiers are also fourth in scoring offense, putting up 44.8 points per game. That’s deadly when combined with that defense.

Shiel Wood, DC, Texas Tech

This season, Texas Tech has one of the best defenses in the country. That’s not exactly commonplace for the Red Raiders. It’s also a compliment to defensive coordinator Shiel Wood, which is why Klatt has him down as a Broyles contender.

It’s just his first season at Texas Tech, Wood has the defense flying around. The Red Raiders are ninth in total defense, giving up 256.8 yards per game, and sixth in scoring defense, giving up 12.2 points per game. That’s a season removed from giving up 460.2 yards and 34.8 points per game.

Midseason Broyles Winner: Matt Patricia, DC, Ohio State

All five assistant coaches that Joel Klatt brought up have been phenomenal. However, Matt Patricia, the Ohio State defensive coordinator, stands out ahead of the rest of the pack. Now, he looks like the favorite to win the Broyles at the midseason.

Much had been made about the roster turnover and defensive coordinator change at Ohio State following last season’s national championship run. Those concerns are completely forgotten now. The Buckeyes are tied for fourth nationally in total defense, giving up 229 yards per game. They’re also first in scoring defense, giving up just 6.8 points per game. Keep it up, and Matt Patricia may win the actual Broyles Award.