A few weeks ago, I posted about the 2008 Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year award, and for those who visited the site and cast a vote, kudos to you.
More than 150,000 votes have been cast already, and there’s plenty of time to get your vote in before time runs out.
Remember, the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year award isn’t just about on-field success, but also about the impact that a coach has off the field, including in the classroom.
These days, academic performance is especially important in regards to APR numbers and ensuring that the program doesn’t get penalized in any way. But, more than keeping those APR numbers well in the 900s, players have to keep their grades up in order to stay on the field.
And hey, the game doesn’t last forever, and even if you wind up making millions in the NFL, it‘s good to have that degree, or at least be well on your way to it when you leave for the pros.
So, it’s very important for coaches to do all they can to ensure that their players stay on the right track in the classroom. Of course, it’s up to the players to do their part in the end, but if they know their coach is behind them and keeping them on their toes both on and off the field, then it might provide a few the extra kick in the pants they might not otherwise get from anyone else.
You’ve certainly got to admire the job that the likes of Pat Fitzgerald (Northwestern) and David Cutcliffe (Duke) are doing this year, succeeding at institutions far more renowned for their academics (or in Duke’s case, basketball along with academics) than football.
Cutcliffe and Fitzgerald are just a couple of coaches in the running for the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year. Think your coach fits the mold? Visit the site and vote. You’ve still got more than a month to vote, and don’t forget that you can vote everyday.
