UConn Football OC Gordon Sammis among elite company after Broyles Award
For a second consecutive year, UConn football offensive coordinator Gordon Sammis was nominated for the Broyles Award.
Each year the award is given out to the top assistant coach in college football. The first recipient of the award was Mickey Andrews, who was the Florida State defensive coordinator at the time. 18 out of the current 23 winners of the award have gone on to become head coaches.
Sammis was an early nominee for the award a season ago during his first year as the UConn offensive coordinator. However, the coach did not make the semi-finals for the award. Ultimately, Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden won before taking a job with the Cincinnati Bengals under the same title.
The Huskies’ current interim head coach returns to the voting this year with plenty of improvements and accomplishments.
What Argument can be made for UConn OC Gordon Sammis in the hunt for the Broyles Award?
Quarterback Joe Fagnano has been considered a Heisman Trophy candidate all season and is now a semifinalist for the Davey O’Brien Award. Wide receiver Skyler Bell is a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award and currently leads the FBS in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns. Running back Cam Edwards is fifth in the FBS with 14 rushing touchdowns and currently is someone battling for a spot in the NFL.
The players have accomplished plenty themselves, but Sammis has played a crucial role in the success of each player this season. Bell has 101 receptions and 1,276 yards this season for plenty of reasons. One specific reason involves the scheming of Sammis. The receiver had plays specifically tailored to his talents and designed to move him out into open space.
Fagnano took major strides forward this season that included a superbly impressive interception-less streak. The quarterback certainly made great decisions on the field this season. However, play-calling and design have also played a role in the development of the quarterback. Fagnano did not need to take as many chances through the air to move the football effectively, which in turn dropped his interception total.
The effectiveness of the pass game allowed the Huskies’ staff to move away from a run-heavy, ground-and-pound approach. Edwards appeared fresh and healthy towards the end of the regular season.
Can Sammis Secure the Broyles Award this time Around?
Sammis has accomplished plenty with the Huskies’ offense this season, but there is tough competition for the award.
Some of the top names this year include Ole Miss offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr., Tennessee offensive coordinator Joey Halzle, Ohio State defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, and USC offensive coordinator Luke Huard.
Advancing to the finals and potentially winning the award could prove to be difficult for Sammis. This season, 63 nominees were named which is a record for the award. A smaller program such as UConn, however, has never won the award in the past. Aside from Notre Dame, all the finalists the past few seasons have all belonged to power conference programs. Compounded with the schedule the Huskies played, the success of players like Fagnano, Bell, and Edwards will need to weigh heavily to help Sammis advance.
15 semifinalists will be announced after November 30th, when the initial voting process ends. Five finalists will be selected from that group before the winner is announced on February 12th in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
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