Georgia’s defense has been spectacular this season. The Dawgs have only given up one rushing touchdown on the season. A big part of that is because UGA defensive coordinator Dan Lanning has been an elite coordinator. Lanning has put the Dawgs in position to have three shutouts on the season. He’s among the finalists for the Broyles Award, which is give to the best assistant coach in the nation.
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart won the award with the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2009. Brian VanGorder, the current defensive coordinator for Bowling Green, won the award at UGA in 2003. Georgia legend Vince Dooley is on the award’s selection committee. Here’s the NCAA’s Broyles Award finalists:
LSU’s Joe Brady is the favorite to win the award. Brady transformed LSU’s offense into a monster seemingly overnight. If Lanning’s defense can shut down Joe Burrow and LSU’s offense, then Lanning may have a legitimate chance to win the award.
Each coordinator that’s a finalist will play in a conference championship game this weekend. The award is far from decided. In fact, a standout performance could propel any of these excellent assistant coaches to win the Broyles Award and possibly make the College Football Playoff. Each will be potential head coach candidates for places like Missouri and Arkansas.
