MIAMI FOOTBALL

Martin named finalist for Robinson COY Award

Chuck Martin receives the MAC football championship trophy from commissioner Jon Steinbrecher. (MVSmith/MRO)

Chuck Martin has been named one of 12 finalists for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award, presented by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) in conjunction with the Allstate Sugar Bowl.
​Martin is joined by David Braun (Northwestern), Jamey Chadwell (Liberty), Kalen DeBoer (Washington), Eliah Drinkwtiz (Missouri), Jedd Fisch (Arizona), Rhett Lashlee (SMU), Mike Norvell (Florida State), Barry Odom (UNLV), Nick Saban (Alabama), Steve Sarkisian (Texas) and Jon Sumrall (Troy).
 
Martin and the RedHawks had . . . 

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Head Coach Chuck Martin has and staff have guided the RedHawks to one of the best seasons in program history. (MVSmith/MRO)

 . . one of the best seasons in program history, finishing 2023 with a 11-2 record (tied for second-most wins in Miami history), including a 23-14 win over Toledo in the Mid-American Conference Championship Game. Miami added wins over arch-rivals Cincinnati (31-24) and Ohio (30-16) and tacked on the Cure Bowl, Miami's 15th bowl game in program history, versus App State on Dec. 16.
 
The RedHawks won six road games this season, one of only two FBS teams in the country to do so, and posted a 7-1 record in conference play. In its last 59 games against MAC teams, Miami is a conference-best 42-17. The RedHawks defeated seven MAC foes this season by a scoring margin of at least two possessions.
 
Martin helped orchestrate one of the best defenses/special teams in the entire country. Miami ranks seventh nationally in scoring defense (16.2), 27th in total defense (325.9) and 34th in rush defense (128.8), while Miami's six blocked kicks rank second in the nation. The RedHawks are first in net punting (44.1) and 15th in punt returns (12.5) and Graham Nicholson is a Lou Groza Award finalist after connecting on 26-of-27 field goals this season.
 
Miami was even better defensively in conference play, allowing 86 points in eight MAC games, the fewest allowed in MAC play since 2000. Miami, which allowed just nine touchdowns in conference play, held all eight MAC opponents under their season scoring average.
 
The Eddie Robinson Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA includes college football's most prestigious awards and its 24 awards have honored more than 900 recipients dating back to 1935. 

The 12 finalists have been placed on a ballot which has been sent to the entire FWAA membership today. The 2023 recipient will be announced on Wed., Dec. 20. The official presentation will be at a reception Sat., Jan. 6, 2024, in Houston, the site of the College Football Playoff National Championship.

(MU Athletics)

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