SPORTS STORIES:
SPORTS INFORMATION—2008
coach debeljak honored by afca and liberty mutual...
CLEVELAND, OH (December 9, 2008) - The Case Western Reserve University football team has won 21 consecutive regular season games [2006-2008] on its way to back-to-back University Athletic Association (UAA) titles and NCAA playoff appearances [2007: second round, 2008: first round].
The mastermind behind it all was rewarded today in a big way.
Spartan Head Coach Greg Debeljak has been named the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Regional (Two) Coach of the Year and one of five finalists for the Liberty Mutual Division III Coach of the Year.
“These are handed out by my peers and the fans, so it really means a lot to me because there are a lot of great coaches out there,” Debeljak explained. “I think it means they respect what’s happen to the program. They have seen the changes as we have gone from a mediocre program to really new heights.”
The AFCA recognizes five regional Coach of the Year winners in each of the Association’s five divisions: Football Bowl Subdivision, Football Championship Subdivision, Division II, Division III and NAIA. It will announce its five 2008 National Coach of the Year winners at the 2009 AFCA Convention in Nashville, Tenn., in January [13].
The Liberty Mutual National Coach of the Year is awarded to the college football coach who best demonstrates sportsmanship, integrity, responsibility, and excellence on and off the field. The 2008 winner will be announced on December 31 using the formula of 20 percent fan votes, 25 percent media votes and 55 percent Hall of Fame committee votes. CLICK HERE for more information.
Coach of the Year awards have been plentiful of late for Debeljak, who just finished his fifth season as Case Western Reserve’s head football coach and eighth overall [associate head coach from 2001-2003]. He and his staff have claimed the last two [2007 & 2008] UAA Coaching Staff of the Year honors and he was one of five Division III finalists for the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year award in 2007.
“Arguably, you could say that we have reached a national level of attention,” Debeljak said. “We are getting recognized for not only being good in the area and around the state, but also across the nation. That was reflected in the week 10 AFCA poll where we were ranked 8th in the country.”
Case Western Reserve began the season ranked as high as No. 10 in preseason polls and during the year was ranked as high as No. 8. Where they will finish the year in the rankings will be determined after the Division III playoffs have been completed.
Being recognized could be an understatement as Spartan football is racking up as many awards as wins these days. The Spartans have claimed both the UAA Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year honors over the past two seasons and have had a Gagliardi Trophy [Div. III Player of the Year] finalist in both 2007 and 2008.
“I think any individual award is reflective on how we have done as a team,” Debeljak explained. “Whether it is first team all-conference to any award I have gotten, it would not have happened without the team being as good as it’s been. It may sound like a cliché, but individual success can only be gained by team successes. I wasn’t voted Coach of the Year when we went 3-7 and didn’t deserve to.”
To be continued September 5, 2009, versus Kenyon College at Case Field.
CHASING CHAPMAN … Jim Chapman (1982-1986) posted a career record of 36-7-1 (.818) during his time in University Circle, which included the modern era football team’s only other undefeated season (1984, 9-0) besides the recent two. Greg Debeljak has posted a 34-19 record (.641), including the team’s first NCAA playoff appearance and win in school history. The two coaches are the most successful in the modern era.
WHEN TO VOTE ONLINE ... Between Dec.12 and Dec. 22 college football fans are once again invited back to www.CoachoftheYear.com to cast their vote to determine the winner. On the site, fans have the opportunity to review bios and fan testimonials supporting each finalist before they make their selection. The 2008 Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award winners will be announced on ESPN during halftime of the Music City Bowl on Dec. 31.
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