Friedgen To Be Honored As National Coach Of Year On ESPN Awards Show
11/20/2001 7:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 20, 2001
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -
It was announced Tuesday that University of Maryland head football coach Ralph Friedgen will be awarded The Home Depot national "Coach of the Year" Award at this year's Home Depot College Football Awards Show on ESPN.
The 11th annual Home Depot College Football Awards Show will air live on Thursday, December 6, from the Atlantic Dance Hall of Walt Disney World's Boardwalk. The show -- which will be hosted by Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit, Lee Corso and Michele Tafoya -- will air from 9:00 - 11:00 p.m. EST.
In his first year at Maryland, Friedgen has led the Terrapins to a 10-1 mark overall and a 7-1 record in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The conference mark earned the Terps their first ACC championship since 1985 and is the first by a team other than Florida State since the Seminoles joined the league in 1992.
In addition, Maryland's 10-1 mark ensures that Friedgen will at least tie for the best-ever record by a first-year coach in ACC history. Should the Terrapins win their bowl game, Friedgen would hold the top spot, if they lose, he would tie Clemson's Ken Hatfield who took the Tigers to a 10-2 record in 1990.
Finally, if the Terps win the bowl game to which they are invited, Friedgen will own one of the best marks in NCAA history for a first year head coach. If Maryland prevails in the postseason, Friedgen's 11-1 record in year one would be the third best of all time in college football.
"This is a tremendous honor," said Friedgen, "and it is representative of the whole organization -- players, coaches and administration. It is a culmination of everything, and I'm just a part of it. I'm so happy we have so many good people working for us."
Said director of athletics Deborah A. Yow, "Terrapins everywhere are delighted and proud to see Coach Friedgen recognized for the extraordinary coaching job he has done this season by being named national Coach of the Year. He has set a new standard of excellence for our football program. It is gratifying to see his efforts, those of his staff and our team acknowledged."
