Alabama’s Scratch Saban named finalist for George Munger Mentor of the Year Grant

4 January 2024 08sportsnews.com

Alabama football head coach Nick Saban was named a finalist for the George Munger Award, which goes to college football’s coach of the year. The Maxwell Football Club announced the five finalists on Wednesday

Besides Saban, David Braun of Northwestern, Kalen DeBour of Washington, Mike Norvell of Florida State and Steve Sarkisian of Texas, were named finalists. DeBour and Sarkisian faced off Monday in the College Football Playoff’s Sugar Bowl semifinal, with the Huskies coming out on top and earning a trip to the national title game

Norvell’s Florida State team went undefeated through the regular season and ACC championship game before controversially finishing behind Alabama in the final CFP rankings. After significant roster opt-outs, the Seminoles were blown out by Georgia in the Orange Bowl.

After Pat Fitzgerald was fired amid scandal from his longtime post as Northwestern’s head coach, Braun took over in an interim role. The Wildcats went 8-5, beating Utah in the Las Vegas Bowl to cap off the year, and Braun will be back as the full head coach next season.

Saban’s Alabama team looked rough early on in the season. The Crimson Tide lost to Texas in Week 2 and struggled in a Week 3 win over South Florida, but picked up the pace as the season went.

Alabama went undefeated through SEC play, winning the league’s West division in its final season. The Crimson Tide then upset Georgia in the SEC title game.

After making the playoff as the No. 4 seed, Alabama fell to Michigan in overtime on Monday in the Rose Bowl semifinal. Still, Saban said the group was one of his favorite Alabama teams.

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