Mid-American Conference football individual awards

The Mid-American Conference football awards are given annually by the Mid-American Conference (MAC) at the conclusion of each college football season. The conference gives out a total of five awards, the Offensive, Defensive, and Freshman Players of the Year, the Coach of the Year, and the Vern Smith Leadership Award, which is given to the league's MVP in that season. The Vern Smith Award is selected by a vote of the coaches in the MAC while the remaining awards are selected by the MAC News Media Association.[1]

## Offensive Player of the Year

[edit]

Byron Leftwich is one of the few multiple award winners. He earned a Super Bowl ring with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2009. Nate Davis led the Ball State Cardinals to an undefeated regular season in 2008, earning him the award in that year.

### Winners

[edit]

Season | Player | Pos | Team | Ref

|
|
|
|

1965  | Willie Asbury | RB | Kent State |
1966  | Bruce Matte  | QB | Miami (OH) |
1967  | John Schneider  | QB  | Toledo |
1968  | Cleve Bryant | QB  | Ohio |
1969  | Chuck Ealey | QB  | Toledo |
1970  | Chuck Ealey (2)  | QB  | Toledo |
1971  | Chuck Ealey (3)  | QB  | Toledo |
1972  | Bob Hitchens | RB  | Miami (OH) |
1973  | Paul Miles | RB  | Bowling Green |
1974  | Gene Swick | QB  | Toledo |
1975  | Gene Swick (2)  | QB  | Toledo |
1976  | Jerome Persell  | RB  | Western Michigan |
1977  | Jerome Persell (2)  | RB  | Western Michigan |
1978  | Jerome Persell (3)  | RB  | Western Michigan |
Dave Petzke | WR | Northern Illinois |
1979  | Gary Hogeboom | QB  | Central Michigan |
1980  | Mark O'Connell  | QB  | Ball State |
1981  | Sam Shon  | QB  | Ohio |
1982  | Curtis Adams | RB  | Central Michigan |
1983  | Brian McClure | QB  | Bowling Green |
1984  | Brian McClure (2)  | QB  | Bowling Green |
1985  | Brian McClure (3)  | QB  | Bowling Green |
1986  | Terry Morris  | QB  | Miami (OH) |
1987  | Eric Wilkerson | RB  | Kent State |
1988  | Tony Kimbrough | QB  | Western Michigan |
1989  | David Riley | QB  | Ball State |
1990  | Jeff Bender  | QB  | Central Michigan |
1991  | Erik White | QB  | Bowling Green |
1992  | Erik White (2)  | QB  | Bowling Green |
1993  | Mike Neu | QB  | Ball State |
1994  | Brian Pruitt  | RB  | Central Michigan |
1995  | Wasean Tait  | RB  | Toledo |
1996  | Kareem Wilson  | QB  | Ohio |
1997  | Randy Moss | WR  | Marshall |
1998  | Travis Prentice | RB  | Miami (OH) |
1999  | Chad Pennington | QB  | Marshall |
2000  | Robert Sanford  | RB  | Western Michigan |
2001  | Byron Leftwich | QB  | Marshall |
2002  | Byron Leftwich (2)  | QB  | Marshall |
2003  | Ben Roethlisberger | QB  | Miami (OH) | [2]
2004  | Omar Jacobs | QB  | Bowling Green | [3]
2005  | Greg Jennings | WR  | Western Michigan | [4]
2006  | Garrett Wolfe | RB  | Northern Illinois | [5]
2007 | Dan LeFevour | QB  | Central Michigan | [6]
2008 | Nate Davis | QB  | Ball State | [7]
2009 | Dan LeFevour (2)  | QB  | Central Michigan | [1]
2010 | Chad Spann | RB  | Northern Illinois | [8]
2011 | Chandler Harnish | QB  | Northern Illinois | [9]
2012 | Jordan Lynch | QB  | Northern Illinois | [10]
2013 | Jordan Lynch (2)  | QB  | Northern Illinois | [11]
2014 | Jarvion Franklin  | RB  | Western Michigan | [12]
2015 | Matt Johnson | QB  | Bowling Green | [13]
2016 | Corey Davis | WR  | Western Michigan | [14]
2017 | Logan Woodside | QB  | Toledo | [15]
2018 | Tyree Jackson | QB  | Buffalo | [16]
2019 | LeVante Bellamy | RB  | Western Michigan | [17]
2020 | Jaret Patterson | RB  | Buffalo | [18]
2021 | Lew Nichols III | RB  | Central Michigan | [19]
2022 | Kurtis Rourke | QB  | Ohio | [20]
2023 | Peny Boone | RB  | Toledo | [21]
2024 | Harold Fannin Jr. | TE | Bowling Green | [22]

Source:[23]

### Winners by school

[edit]

School | Wins | Seasons

|
|

Bowling Green  | 9  | 1973, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1991, 1992, 2004, 2015, 2024
Toledo  | 9  | 1967, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1974, 1975, 1995, 2017, 2023
Western Michigan  | 9  | 1976, 1977, 1978, 1988, 2000, 2005, 2014, 2016, 2019
Northern Illinois  | 7  | 1978, 2006, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2021
Central Michigan  | 6  | 1979, 1982, 1990, 1994, 2007, 2009
Miami (OH)  | 5  | 1966, 1972, 1986, 1998, 2003
Ball State  | 4  | 1980, 1989, 1993, 2008
Marshall  | 4  | 1997, 1999, 2001, 2002
Ohio  | 4  | 1968, 1981, 1996, 2022
Kent State  | 3  | 1965, 1987, 2021
Buffalo  | 2  | 2018, 2020

## Defensive Player of the Year

[edit]

Larry English won the award in 2008. He also won the Vern Smith award in that same year.

### Winners

[edit]

Season | Player | Pos | Team | Ref

|
|
|
|

1965  | Bob Rowe | DT | Western Michigan |
1966  | Bob Rowe (2)  | DT  | Western Michigan |
1967  | Tom Beutler | DT  | Toledo |
1968  | Bob Babich | LB | Miami (OH) |
1969  | Joe Green | DT  | Bowling Green |
1970  | Dick Adams | DB | Miami (OH) |
Phil Villapiano | DE | Bowling Green | [24]
1971  | Mel Long | DT  | Toledo |
1972  | Jack Lambert | LB  | Kent State |
1973  | Brad Cousino | DT  | Miami (OH) |
1974  | Brad Cousino (2)  | DT  | Miami (OH) |
1975  | Shafer Suggs | S | Ball State |
1976  | Aaron Bivins  | LB  | Toledo |
1977  | Jack Glowik  | DT  | Miami (OH) |
1978  | Ken Kremer | DT  | Ball State |
1979  | Frank Lewandowski  | LB  | Northern Illinois |
1980  | Kent McCormick  | LB  | Miami (OH) |
Mike Terra  | LB  | Northern Illinois |
1981  | John Zupancic  | LB  | Miami (OH) |
1982  | Ray Bentley | LB  | Central Michigan |
1983  | Brian Pillman | DT  | Miami (OH) |
1984  | Mark Brandon  | CB | Toledo |
1985  | John Offerdahl | LB  | Western Michigan |
1986  | Mark Garalczyk | DT  | Western Michigan |
1987  | Greg Garnica  | LB  | Ball State |
1988  | Greg Garnica (2)  | LB  | Ball State |
1989  | Greg Garnica (3)  | LB  | Ball State |
1990  | Sean Mulhearn  | LB  | Western Michigan |
1991  | Curt McMillan  | LB  | Miami (OH) |
1992  | Curt McMillan (2)  | LB  | Miami (OH) |
1993  | Vince Palko  | LB  | Bowling Green |
1994  | Vince Palko (2)  | LB  | Bowling Green |
1995  | Johnnie Williams  | S  | Miami (OH) |
1996  | Brad Maynard | P | Ball State |
1997  | JoJuan Armour | LB  | Miami (OH) |
1998  | JoJuan Armour (2)  | LB  | Miami (OH) |
1999  | Dustin Cohen | LB  | Miami (OH) | [25]
2000  | Dwight Smith | S  | Akron |
2001  | Max Yates | LB  | Marshall |
2002  | Jason Babin | DE  | Western Michigan |
2003  | Jason Babin (2)  | DE  | Western Michigan | [2]
2004  | Johnathan Goddard | DE  | Marshall | [3]
2005  | Dan Bazuin | DE  | Central Michigan | [4]
2006  | Ameer Ismail  | LB  | Western Michigan | [5]
2007 | Clayton Mullins  | LB  | Miami (OH) | [6]
2008 | Larry English | LB  | Northern Illinois | [7]
2009 | Adrian Robinson | DE  | Temple | [1]
2010 | Roosevelt Nix | DE  | Kent State | [8]
2011 | Drew Nowak | DT  | Western Michigan | [9]
2012 | Chris Jones | DT  | Bowling Green | [10]
2013 | Khalil Mack | LB  | Buffalo | [11]
2014 | Quinten Rollins | CB  | Miami (OH) | [12]
2015 | Jatavis Brown | LB  | Akron | [13]
2016 | Tarell Basham | DE  | Ohio | [14]
2017 | Sutton Smith | DE  | Northern Illinois | [15]
2018 | Sutton Smith (2)  | DE  | Northern Illinois | [16]
2019 | Treshaun Hayward  | LB  | Western Michigan | [17]
2020 | Troy Hairston | LB  | Central Michigan | [18]
Brandon Martin  | LB  | Ball State
2021 | Ali Fayad | DE  | Western Michigan | [19]
2022 | Jose Ramirez | DE  | Eastern Michigan | [20]
2023 | Matt Salopek  | LB  | Miami (OH) | [21]
2024 | Shaun Dolac | LB  | Buffalo | [22]

Source:[23]

### Winners by school

[edit]

School | Wins | Seasons

|
|

Miami (OH)  | 17  | 1968, 1970, 1973, 1974, 1977, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1991, 1992, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2007, 2014, 2023
Western Michigan  | 11  | 1965, 1966, 1985, 1986, 1990, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2011, 2019, 2021
Ball State  | 7  | 1975, 1978, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1996, 2020
Bowling Green  | 5  | 1969, 1970, 1993, 1994, 2012
Northern Illinois  | 5  | 1979, 1980, 2008, 2017, 2018
Toledo  | 4  | 1967, 1971, 1976, 1984
Central Michigan  | 3  | 1982, 2005, 2020
Akron  | 2  | 2000, 2005
Buffalo  | 2  | 2013, 2024
Kent State  | 2  | 1972, 2010
Marshall  | 2  | 2001, 2004
Ohio  | 1  | 2016
Temple  | 1  | 2009
Eastern Michigan  | 1  | 2022

## Special Teams Player of the Year

[edit]

Dave Zastudil is one of two two-time award winners. He shared the award with the other two-time winner, Steve Azar. Justin McCareins, shown here playing for the Tennessee Titans, is one of three Northern Illinois players to win the award. Scott Secor, 2014 Special Teams Player of the Year award winner.

### Winners

[edit]

Season | Player | Pos | Team | Ref

|
|
|
|

1998  | Brad Selent  | K | Western Michigan |
1999  | Dave Zastudil | P | Ohio |
2000  | Justin McCareins | RS | Northern Illinois |
2001  | Dave Zastudil (2)  | P  | Ohio |
Steve Azar  | K  | Northern Illinois |
2002  | Dan Sheldon  | RS  | Northern Illinois |
2003  | Steve Azar (2)  | K  | Northern Illinois | [2]
2004  | Ryne Robinson | RS  | Miami (OH) | [3]
2005  | Jason Robbins  | K  | Toledo | [4]
2006  | Brian Jackson  | K  | Ball State | [5]
2007 | Brett Kern | P  | Toledo | [6]
2008 | Antonio Brown | RS  | Central Michigan | [7]
2009 | Antonio Brown (2)  | RS  | Central Michigan | [1]
2010 | Eric Page | RS  | Toledo | [8]
2011 | Matt Weller  | K  | Ohio | [9]
2012 | Dri Archer | RS  | Kent State | [10]
2013 | Jeremiah Detmer  | K  | Toledo | [11]
2014 | Scott Secor | K  | Ball State | [12]
2015 | Aregeros Turner  | RS  | Northern Illinois | [13]
2016 | Darius Phillips | RS  | Western Michigan | [14]
2017 | Darius Phillips (2)  | RS  | Western Michigan | [15]
2018 | Diontae Johnson | RS  | Toledo | [16]
2019 | Matthew Trickett  | K  | Kent State | [17]
2020 | D'Wayne Eskridge | RS  | Western Michigan | [18]
2021 | Khalil Pimpleton  | RS  | Central Michigan | [19]
2022 | Alex McNulty  | K  | Buffalo | [20]
2023 | Graham Nicholson | K  | Miami (OH) | [21]
2024 | Malcolm Gillie  | RS  | Ball State | [22]

Source:[23]

### Winners by school

[edit]

School (First season) | Wins | Years

|
|

Northern Illinois (1975) | 5 | 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2015
Toledo (1952) | 5 | 2005, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2018
Western Michigan (1948) | 4 | 1998, 2016, 2017, 2020
Ball State (1975) | 3 | 2006, 2014, 2024
Central Michigan (1975) | 3 | 2008, 2009, 2021
Ohio (1947) | 3 | 1999, 2001, 2011
Kent State (1951) | 2 | 2012, 2019
Miami (1948) | 2 | 2004, 2023
Buffalo (1999) | 1 | 2022
Akron (1992) | 0 |
Bowling Green (1952) | 0 |
Eastern Michigan (1976) | 0 |
Temple[26] (2007) | 0 |
Butler[27] (1947) | 0 |
Cincinnati[28] (1947) | 0 |
Marshall[29] (1954) | 0 |
Central Florida[30] (2002) | 0 |
UMass[31] (2011) | 0 |

## Freshman Player of the Year

[edit]

Ben Roethlisberger won the Freshman award in 2001. Today, his number 7 is retired at Miami University and he has led the Pittsburgh Steelers to two Super Bowl victories. Tim Hiller, the 2005 winner, was one of NFL.com's Top 5 senior quarterback prospects in 2009.

The Freshman Player of the Year award was first given by the MAC after the 1982 football season. That year's winner, Brian McClure, won a slew of MAC accords, including Offensive Player of the Year three times, and the Vern Smith award twice. Ball State, Central Michigan and Western Michigan are tied with the most awards, with players from each school winning five times.

### Winners

[edit]

Source:[23]

Year* | Co-Award Winners

|

Position Key

QB | Quarterback | RB | Running back | TE | Tight end | WR | Wide receiver
DE | Defensive end | DT | Defensive tackle | LB | Linebacker | S | Safety
K | Placekicker | KR | Kick returner | P | Punter | PR | Punt Returner
Season | Player | School | Position

|
|
|

1982 | Brian McClure | Bowling Green |
1983 | Kelly Spielmaker | Western Michigan |
1984 | Pete Genatempo | Northern Illinois |
1985 | Marshall Taylor | Northern Illinois |
1986 | Patrick Young | Kent State |
1987 | Bernie Parmalee | Ball State |
1988 | Jeff Bender | Central Michigan |
1989 | Brad Tayles | Western Michigan | QB
1990 | Troy Parker | Toledo |
1991 | Morrey Norris | Kent State |
1992 | Deland McCullough | Miami |
1993 | Michael Blair | Ball State |
1994 | Astron Whatley | Kent State |
1995 | Silas Massey III | Central Michigan |
1996* | Walt Church | Eastern Michigan |
1996* | Tim Lester | Western Michigan | QB
1997 | Robert Sanford | Western Michigan | RB
1998 | Kurt Gerling | Bowling Green |
1999 | Brandon Payne | Akron |
2000 | Talmadge Hill | Ball State |
2001 | Ben Roethlisberger | Miami | QB
2002 | Aaron Leeper | Buffalo |
2003[2] | Jerry Seymour | Central Michigan | RB
2004[3] | Adell Givens | Ball State |
2005[4] | Tim Hiller | Western Michigan | QB
2006[5] | Dan LeFevour | Central Michigan | QB
2007[6] | Antonio Brown | Central Michigan |
2008[7] | Sean Baker | Ball State |
2009[1] | Bernard Pierce | Temple |
2010[8] | Roosevelt Nix | Kent State | DL
2011[9] | Anthon Samuel | Bowling Green | RB[32]
2012[10] | Jamie Wilson | Western Michigan | WR
2013[11] | Corey Davis | Western Michigan | WR
2014[12] | Jarvion Franklin | Western Michigan | RB
2015[13] | Jamauri Bogan | Western Michigan | RB
2016[14] | Javon Hagan | Ohio | S
2017[15] | Marcus Childers | Northern Illinois  | QB
2018[16] | Jaret Patterson | Buffalo  | RB
2019[17] | Brett Gabbert | Miami  | QB
2020[18] | Lew Nichols III | Central Michigan  | RB
2021[19] | Jay Ducker  | Northern Illinois  | RB
2022[20] | Sieh Bangura  | Ohio  | RB
2023[21] | Jalen Buckley  | Western Michigan  | RB
2024[33] | Kadin Semonza  | Ball State  | QB

### Winners by school

[edit]

School (First season) | Wins | Years

|
|

Western Michigan (1948) | 10 | 1983, 1989, 1996, 1997, 2005, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2023
Ball State (1975) | 6 | 1987, 1993, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2024
Central Michigan (1975) | 6 | 1988, 1995, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2020
Kent State (1951) | 4 | 1986, 1991, 1994, 2010
Miami (1948) | 3 | 1992, 2001, 2019
Bowling Green (1952) | 3 | 1982, 1998, 2011
Northern Illinois (1975) | 2 | 1984, 1985, 2017
Buffalo (1999) | 2 | 2002, 2018
Ohio (1947) | 2 | 2016, 2022
Akron (1992) | 1 | 1999
Eastern Michigan (1976) | 1 | 1996
Temple[26] (2007) | 1 | 2009
Toledo (1952) | 1 | 1990
Butler[27] (1947) | 0 |
Cincinnati[28] (1947) | 0 |
Marshall[29] (1954) | 0 |
Central Florida[30] (2002) | 0 |
UMass[31] (2011) | 0 |

## Vern Smith Leadership Award

[edit]

Brad Maynard is the only special teams player to win the award. Garrett Wolfe won the Vern Davis award in 2006 after setting many MAC rushing records.

The Vern Smith Leadership Award was started in 1982 by the Downtown Toledo Athletic Club. In that year, it was known as the Jefferson Award and the name was changed to honor the University of Toledo Athletic Director Vern Smith in 1987.[34] The award is given to the top football player in the Mid-American Conference. Only four players have won the award multiple times, with the most recent winner, Larry English, being the only non-quarterback to win it. Northern Illinois leads with seven awards all-time, followed by Bowling Green, Central Michigan and Marshall tied with four awards in each school. The Vern Smith award is the only one voted on by the coaches, with the Coach of the Year, as well as the Players of the Year are selected by the media.

### Winners

[edit]

Source:[23]

Player (X) | Denotes the number of times the player has been selected

|

Year* | Co-Award Winners
Position Key

QB | Quarterback | RB | Running back | TE | Tight end | WR | Wide receiver
DE | Defensive end | DT | Defensive tackle | LB | Linebacker | S | Safety
K | Placekicker | KR | Kick returner | P | Punter | PR | Punt Returner
Season | Player | School | Position

|
|
|

1982 | Ray Bentley | Central Michigan | LB
1983 | Tim Tyrrell | Northern Illinois | QB
1984 | Brian McClure | Bowling Green | QB
1985 | Brian McClure (2) | Bowling Green | QB
1986 | Terry Morris | Miami | QB
1987 | Eric Wilkerson | Kent State | RB
1988 | Tony Kimbrough | Western Michigan | QB
1989 | David Riley | Ball State | QB
1990 | Jeff Bender | Central Michigan | QB
1991 | Erik White | Bowling Green | QB
1992 | Erik White (2) | Bowling Green | QB
1993 | Mike Neu | Ball State | QB
1994 | Brian Pruitt | Central Michigan | RB
1995 | Wasean Tait | Toledo | RB
1996 | Brad Maynard | Ball State | P
1997 | Randy Moss | Marshall | WR
1998 | Travis Prentice | Miami | RB
1999 | Chad Pennington | Marshall | QB
2000 | Robert Sanford | Western Michigan | RB
2001 | Byron Leftwich | Marshall | QB
2002 | Byron Leftwich (2) | Marshall | QB
2003[35] | Ben Roethlisberger | Miami | QB
2004[3] | Charlie Frye | Akron | QB
2005*[4] | Bruce Gradkowski | Toledo | QB
2005* | Greg Jennings | Western Michigan | WR
2006[5] | Garrett Wolfe | Northern Illinois | RB
2007[6] | Larry English | Northern Illinois | DE
2008[7] | Larry English (2) | Northern Illinois | DE
2009[1] | Dan LeFevour | Central Michigan | QB
2010[8] | Chad Spann | Northern Illinois | RB
2011[9] | Chandler Harnish | Northern Illinois | QB
2012[10] | Jordan Lynch | Northern Illinois | QB
2013[11] | Jordan Lynch (2) | Northern Illinois | QB
2014[12] | Greg Mancz | Toledo | OL
2015[13] | Matt Johnson | Bowling Green | QB
2016[14] | Zach Terrell | Western Michigan | QB
2017[15] | Logan Woodside | Toledo | QB
2018[16] | Sutton Smith | Northern Illinois | DE
2019[17] | LeVante Bellamy | Western Michigan | RB
2020[18] | Jaret Patterson | Buffalo | RB
2021[19] | Dustin Crum | Kent State | QB
2022[20] | Kurtis Rourke | Ohio | QB
2023[21] | Dequan Finn | Toledo | QB
2024[36] | Harold Fannin Jr. | Bowling Green  | TE

### Winners by school

[edit]

School (First season) | Wins | Years

|
|

Northern Illinois (1975) | 9 | 1983, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2018
Bowling Green (1952) | 6 | 1984, 1985, 1991, 1992, 2015, 2024
Toledo (1952) | 5 | 1995, 2005, 2014, 2017, 2023
Central Michigan (1975) | 4 | 1982, 1990, 1994, 2009
Marshall (1954) | 4 | 1997, 1999, 2001, 2002
Western Michigan (1948) | 4 | 1988, 2000, 2005, 2016
Ball State (1975) | 3 | 1989, 1993, 1996
Miami (1948) | 3 | 1986, 1998, 2003
Kent State (1951) | 2 | 1987, 2021
Buffalo (1999) | 1 | 2020
Akron (1992) | 1 | 2004
Ohio (1947) | 1 | 2022
Eastern Michigan (1976) | 0 |
Temple (2007) | 0 |
Butler (1947) | 0 |
Cincinnati(1947) | 0 |
Central Florida (2002) | 0 |
UMass (2011) | 0 |

## Coach of the Year

[edit]

Urban Meyer won the award in 2001 with Bowling Green, before coaching at Utah, Florida and Ohio State.

The MAC has awarded a Coach of the Year award every year since 1965. The first award went to Bo Schembechler of Miami University. Only one coach has won the award more than twice, with Frank Lauterbur winning the award in 1967, 1969, and 1970.[37] Only two coaches have won the award beyond their tenth year of coaching. Bill Hess won the award in 1968 in his 11th year of coaching the Ohio Bobcats and Herb Deromedi won the award in 1990, his 13th year of coaching Central Michigan.[38] Also, only one coach, Bill Mallory, has won the award coaching two separate teams. He first earned the award in 1973 while coaching Miami University, and then won ten years later giving Northern Illinois their first Coach of the Year award. Toledo leads all schools with nine awards. Temple won their first award in 2009 when head coach Al Golden won his first MAC Coach of the Year award.[1]

### Winners

[edit]

Source:[23]

Coach (X)  | Denotes the number of times the coach has been selected

|

Season | Coach | School | Year with school | Record

|
|
|
|

1965 | Bo Schembechler | Miami | 3rd | 7–3 (5–1)
1966 | Bill Doolittle | Western Michigan | 3rd | 7–3 (5–1)
1967 | Frank Lauterbur | Toledo | 5th | 9–1 (5–1)
1968 | Bill Hess | Ohio | 11th | 10–1 (6–0)
1969 | Frank Lauterbur (2) | Toledo | 7th | 11–0 (5–0)
1970 | Frank Lauterbur (3) | Toledo | 8th | 12–0 (5–0)
1971 | John Murphy | Toledo | 1st | 12–0 (5–0)
1972 | Don James | Kent State | 1st | 6–5 (4–1)
1973 | Bill Mallory | Miami | 5th | 11–0 (5–0)
1974 | Dick Crum | Miami | 1st | 10–0–1 (5–0)
1975 | Dave McClain | Ball State | 1st | 9–2 (4–2)
1976 | Elliot Uzelac | Western Michigan | 2nd | 7–4 (6–3)
1977 | Ed Chlebek | Eastern Michigan | 2nd | 8–3 (4–3)
1978 | Dwight Wallace | Ball State | 1st | 10–1 (8–0)
1979 | Chuck Stobart | Toledo | 3rd | 7–3–1 (7–1–1)
1980 | Herb Deromedi | Central Michigan | 3rd | 9–2 (7–2)
1981 | Chuck Stobart (2) | Toledo | 5th | 9–3 (8–1)
1982 | Denny Stolz | Bowling Green | 6th | 7–5 (7–2)
1983 | Bill Mallory (2) | Northern Illinois | 3rd | 10–2 (8–1)
1984 | Dan Simrell | Toledo | 3rd | 9–2–1 (7–1–1)
1985 | Denny Stolz (2) | Bowling Green | 9th | 11–1 (9–0)
1986 | Glen Mason | Kent State | 1st | 5–6 (5–3)
1987 | Jim Harkema | Eastern Michigan | 5th | 10–2 (7–1)
1988 | Al Molde | Western Michigan | 2nd | 9–3 (7–1)
1989 | Paul Schudel | Ball State | 5th | 7–3–2 (6–1–1)
1990 | Herb Deromedi (2) | Central Michigan | 13th | 8–3–1 (7–1)
1991 | Gary Blackney | Bowling Green | 1st | 11–1 (8–0)
1992 | Gary Blackney (2) | Bowling Green | 2nd | 10–2 (8–0)
1993 | Paul Schudel (2) | Ball State | 9th | 8–3–1 (7–0–1)
1994 | Dick Flynn | Central Michigan | 1st | 9–3 (8–1)
1995 | Gary Pinkel | Toledo | 5th | 11–0–1 (7–0–1)
1996 | Jim Grobe | Ohio | 2nd | 6–6 (5–3)
1997 | Gary Pinkel (2) | Toledo | 7th | 9–3 (7–1)
1998 | Bob Pruett | Marshall | 2nd | 12–1 (7–1)
1999 | Bob Pruett (2) | Marshall | 3rd | 13–0 (8–0)
2000 | Gary Darnell | Western Michigan | 4th | 9–3 (7–1)
2001 | Urban Meyer | Bowling Green | 1st | 8–3 (5–3)
2002 | Joe Novak | Northern Illinois | 6th | 8–4 (7–1)
2003[2] | Terry Hoeppner | Miami | 5th | 13–1 (8–0)
2004[3] | J. D. Brookhart | Akron | 1st | 6–5 (6–2)
2005[4] | Bill Cubit | Western Michigan | 1st | 7–4 (5–3)
2006[5] | Frank Solich | Ohio | 2nd | 9–5 (7–1)
2007[6] | Turner Gill | Buffalo | 2nd | 5–7 (5–3)
2008[7] | Brady Hoke | Ball State | 6th | 12–2 (8–0)
2009[1] | Al Golden | Temple | 3rd | 9–3 (7–1)
2010[8] | Michael Haywood | Miami | 2nd | 9–4 (8–1)
2011[9] | Ron English | Eastern Michigan | 3rd | 6–6 (4–4)
2012[10] | Darrell Hazell | Kent State | 2nd | 11–3 (8–0)
2013[11] | Rod Carey | Northern Illinois | 1st | 12–1 (8–0)
2014[12] | P. J. Fleck | Western Michigan | 2nd | 8–5 (6–2)
2015[13] | Matt Campbell | Toledo | 5th | 9–2 (6–2)
2016[14] | P. J. Fleck (2) | Western Michigan | 4th | 13–1 (8–0)
2017[15] | Jason Candle | Toledo | 2nd | 11–3 (7–1)
2018[16] | Lance Leipold | Buffalo | 4th | 10–4 (7–1)
2019[17] | Jim McElwain | Central Michigan | 1st | 8–6 (6–2)
2020[18] | Lance Leipold (2) | Buffalo | 6th | 6–1 (5–0)
2021[19] | Thomas Hammock | Northern Illinois | 3rd | 9–5 (6–2)
2022[20] | Tim Albin | Ohio | 2nd | 10–4 (7–1)
2023[21] | Jason Candle (2) | Toledo | 8th | 11–1 (8–0)
2024[39] | Tim Albin (2)  | Ohio  | 4th  | 9–3 (7–1)

### Winners by school

[edit]

School (First season) | Wins | Years

|
|

Toledo (1952) | 11 | 1967, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1979, 1871, 1984, 1995, 1997, 2015, 2017, 2023
Western Michigan (1948) | 7 | 1966, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2005, 2014, 2016
Central Michigan (1975) | 6 | 1980, 1990, 1994, 1977, 1987, 2019
Miami (1948) | 5 | 1965, 1973, 1974, 2003, 2010
Ball State (1975) | 5 | 1975, 1978, 1989, 1993, 2008
Bowling Green (1952) | 5 | 1982, 1985, 1991, 1991, 2001
Ohio (1947) | 5 | 1968, 1996, 2006, 2022, 2024
Northern Illinois (1975) | 4 | 1983, 2002, 2013, 2021
Eastern Michigan (1976) | 3 | 1977, 1987, 2011
Kent State (1951) | 3 | 1972, 1986, 2012
Buffalo (1999) | 3 | 2007, 2018. 2020
Marshall (1954) | 2 | 1988, 1999
Akron (1992) | 1 | 2004
Temple (2007) | 1 | 2009
Butler (1947) | 0 |
Cincinnati (1947) | 0 |
Central Florida (2002) | 0 |
UMass (2011) | 0 |

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d e f g h "MAC Announces 2009 Post Season Awards". Mid-American Conference. 2 December 2009. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
2. ^ a b c d e "Three MAC Football Specialty Awards Handed Out". getsomemaction.com. Mid-American Conference. December 2, 2003. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
3. ^ a b c d e f "MAC Announces 2004 Individual Football Awards". getsomemaction.com. Mid-American Conference. November 30, 2004. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
4. ^ a b c d e f "All-MAC Football Awards Announced". getsomemaction.com. Mid-American Conference. November 28, 2005. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
5. ^ a b c d e f "All-MAC Football Team and Individual Award Winners Announced". getsomemaction.com. Mid-American Conference. November 27, 2006. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
6. ^ a b c d e f "MAC Announces 2007 Football Awards". getsomemaction.com. Mid-American Conference. November 27, 2007. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
7. ^ a b c d e f "MAC Announces Football Post Season Awards". getsomemaction.com. Mid-American Conference. December 3, 2008. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
8. ^ a b c d e f "MAC Announces 2010 Football Post Season Awards". getsomemaction.com. Mid-American Conference. December 1, 2010. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
9. ^ a b c d e f "MAC Names 2011 All-MAC Teams & Post Season Awards". getsomemaction.com. Mid-American Conference. November 30, 2011. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
10. ^ a b c d e f "MAC Announces 2012 Football Postseason Awards". getsomemaction.com. Mid-American Conference. November 28, 2012. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
11. ^ a b c d e f "MAC Announces 2013 All-MAC Teams & Postseason Awards". getsomemaction.com. Mid-American Conference. December 4, 2013. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
12. ^ a b c d e f "MAC Announces 2014 All-MAC Teams & Postseason Football Awards". getsomemaction.com. Mid-American Conference. December 3, 2014. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
13. ^ a b c d e f "MAC Announces 2015 All-MAC Football Teams and Post Season Awards". getsomemaction.com. Mid-American Conference. December 2, 2015. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
14. ^ a b c d e f "MAC Announces 2016 All-MAC Teams and Postseason Awards". getsomemaction.com. Mid-American Conference. November 30, 2016. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
15. ^ a b c d e f "MAC Announces 2017 Postseason Football Awards". getsomemaction.com. Mid-American Conference. November 29, 2017. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
16. ^ a b c d e f "MAC Announces 2018 All-MAC First, Second, Third Teams and Postseason Awards". getsomemaction.com. Mid-American Conference. November 28, 2018. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
17. ^ a b c d e f "MAC Announces 2019 All-MAC Teams & Postseason Awards". getsomemaction.com. Mid-American Conference. December 4, 2019. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
18. ^ a b c d e f "MAC Announces 2020 Football All-MAC and Specialty Awards". getsomemaction.com. Mid-American Conference. December 14, 2020. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
19. ^ a b c d e f "MAC Announces 2021 Postseason Football Awards & All-MAC Teams". getsomemaction.com. Mid-American Conference. December 1, 2021. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
20. ^ a b c d e f "MAC Announces 2022 Postseason Football Awards & All-Conference Teams". getsomemaction.com. Mid-American Conference. November 29, 2022. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
21. ^ a b c d e f "MAC Announces 2023 Postseason Football Awards & All-Conference Teams". getsomemaction.com. Mid-American Conference. December 4, 2023. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
22. ^ a b c "MAC Announces 2024 Postseason Football Awards & All-Conference Teams". getsomemaction.com. Mid-American Conference. December 4, 2024. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
23. ^ a b c d e f "History and Records" (PDF). s3.amazonaws.com. Mid-American Conference. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
24. ^ "Phil Villapiano (1976) - Hall of Fame". bgsufalcons.com. Bowling Green Falcons athletics. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
25. ^ "Miami's Dustin Cohen Named MAC's Defensive Player of the Year". miamiredhawks.com. Miami RedHawks athletics. November 30, 1999. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
26. ^ a b Temple was a member of the MAC from 2007 to 2011, when they left to become a football-only member of the original Big East Conference, with plans to become full members of that conference in 2013. By the time Temple became an all-sports member, the original Big East had split along football lines, with the non-FBS schools reorganizing as a new, non-football Big East and the remaining FBS schools, including Temple, operating as the American Athletic Conference.
27. ^ a b Butler was only a MAC member from 1944 to 1950. They currently play football in the Football Championship Subdivision of NCAA Division I, playing in the non-scholarship Pioneer Football League.
28. ^ a b Cincinnati left the Mid-American Conference following the 1953 season and is currently a member of The American.
29. ^ a b Marshall was a member of the MAC from 1953 to 1969 and again from 1997 to 2004. They left the conference following the 2004 season to become a member of Conference USA.
30. ^ a b Central Florida was only a member of the MAC from 2002 to 2005, when they left to become a member of Conference USA, along with Marshall. UCF has been a member of The American since 2013.
31. ^ a b UMass was a football-only member of the MAC from 2011 to 2015, when it left to become an FBS independent after declining full membership in the MAC. UMass will return to MAC football in 2025, when it becomes a full conference member.
32. ^ "MAC Names 2011 All-MAC Teams & Post Season Awards". Retrieved 12 December 2011.
33. ^ "MAC Announces 2024 Postseason Football Awards & All-Conference Teams".
34. ^ "Vern Smith Leadership Award" (PDF). 2009 MAC Football Record Book. Mid-American Conference. 2009-07-21. p. 104. Retrieved 2009-12-02.
35. ^ "Miami's Ben Roethlisberger Wins Vern Smith Leadership Award". Mid-American Conference. 3 December 2004. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
36. ^ "MAC Announces 2024 Postseason Football Awards & All-Conference Teams".
37. ^ "MAC Coaches of the Year" (PDF). 2009 MAC Football Record Book. Mid-American Conference. 2009-07-21. p. 101. Retrieved 2009-12-02.
38. ^ "All-Time MAC Coaching Records" (PDF). 2009 MAC Football Record Book. Mid-American Conference. 2009-07-21. pp. 100–101. Retrieved 2009-12-02.100-101&rft.date=2009-07-21&rft_id=http://admin.xosn.com/fls/9400/09FBGuide/History&Records.pdf;&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Mid-American+Conference+football+individual+awards" class="Z3988">
39. ^ "MAC Announces 2024 Postseason Football Awards & All-Conference Teams".

* v
* t
* e

Mid-American Conference football

Current teams|

* Akron Zips
* Ball State Cardinals
* Bowling Green Falcons
* Buffalo Bulls
* Central Michigan Chippewas
* Eastern Michigan Eagles
* Kent State Golden Flashes
* Miami RedHawks
* Northern Illinois Huskies
* Ohio Bobcats
* Toledo Rockets
* Western Michigan Broncos

Future teams|

* UMass Minutemen (joining in 2025)

Championships and awards|

* MAC Championship Game
* Season Champions
* All-time standings
* Mid-American Conference football individual awards

Seasons|

* 1946
* 1947
* 1948
* 1949
* 1950
* 1951
* 1952
* 1953
* 1954
* 1955
* 1956
* 1957
* 1958
* 1959
* 1960
* 1961
* 1962
* 1963
* 1964
* 1965
* 1966
* 1967
* 1968
* 1969
* 1970
* 1971
* 1972
* 1973
* 1974
* 1975
* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979
* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990
* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

* v
* t
* e

College football awards

Overall trophies|

* Heisman Trophy (winners) (Most outstanding)
* Maxwell Award (Player of the year)
* Walter Camp Award (Player of the year)
* Defunct: Archie Griffin Award (Most valuable)
* Chic Harley Award (Best player)

Overall media awards|

* AP Player of the Year (1998)
* Sporting News Player of the Year (1942)
* Defunct: UPI Player of the Year

Positional awards|

* Bronko Nagurski Trophy (Defensive player)
* Chuck Bednarik Award (Defensive player)
* Lott Trophy (Defensive player)
* Outland Trophy (Interior lineman)
* Manning Award (Quarterback)
* Davey O'Brien Award (Quarterback)
* Doak Walker Award (Running back)
* Fred Biletnikoff Award (Receiver)
* John Mackey Award (Tight end)
* Joe Moore Award (Offensive line)
* Rimington Trophy (Center)
* Ted Hendricks Award (Defensive end)
* Butkus Award (Linebacker)
* Jim Thorpe Award (Defensive back)
* Lou Groza Award (Placekicker)
* Ray Guy Award (Punter)
* Patrick Mannelly Award (Long snapper)
* Jet Award (Return specialist)
* Peter Mortell (Holder)

Other national player awards|

* Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (Senior quarterback)
* Paul Hornung Award (Most versatile)
* Lombardi Award (Best performance)
* Jacobs Blocking Trophy (Best blocker)
* Polynesian Football Player of the Year Award (Best player of Polynesian descent)
* Deacon Jones Trophy (HBCU's most outstanding player)

All-Americans|

* College Football All-America Team (unanimous selections)
* Little All-America team

Head coaching awards|

* AFCA Coach of the Year Award (1935)
* Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award (1957)
* Sporting News Coach of the Year (1963)
* Walter Camp Coach of the Year Award (1967)
* Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year (1976)
* Paul "Bear" Bryant Award (1986)
* George Munger Award (1989)
* Home Depot Coach of the Year (1994)
* AP Coach of the Year (1998)

Defunct: Joseph V. Paterno Award (2010)
* Bobby Bowden Coach of the Year Award (2009)
* Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award (2006)
* Woody Hayes Trophy (1977)

Assistant coaching awards|

* Broyles Award (Assistant Coach of the Year)
* AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year

Conference awards|

* ACC awards
* American awards
* Big 12 awards
* Big Ten awards (MVP)
* MAC awards
* Pac-12 awards
* SEC awards
* Sun Belt awards
* Defunct: Big East awards
* SWC awards

Division I FCS awards|

* Walter Payton Award (Div. I FCS offensive player)
* Buck Buchanan Award (Div. I FCS defensive player)
* Jerry Rice Award (Div. I FCS freshman)
* Eddie Robinson Award (Div. I FCS coach)

Defunct: Mickey Charles Award (Div. I FCS student-athlete)
* STATS FCS Offensive Player of the Year (Div. I FCS offensive player)
* STATS FCS Defensive Player of the Year (Div. I FCS defensive player)
* STATS FCS Freshman Player of the Year (Div. I FCS freshman)
* STATS FCS Coach of the Year (Div. I FCS coach)

Other divisions/associations|

* Harlon Hill Trophy (Div. II)
* Gagliardi Trophy (Div. III)
* Rawlings Award (NAIA)
* Hec Crighton Trophy (U Sports)
* Fred Mitchell Award (non-Div. I FBS placekicker)
* Defunct: Melberger Award (Div. III)

Academic, inspirational,
and versatility awards|

* Academic All-America of the Year (Student-athlete)
* Disney's Wide World of Sports Spirit Award
* William V. Campbell Trophy (Student-athlete)
* Wuerffel Trophy (Humanitarian-athlete)
* Senior CLASS Award (Div. I FBS student-athlete)
* Burlsworth Trophy (Walk-on)
* Rudy Award (inspirational/motivational)

Service awards|

* Amos Alonzo Stagg Award
* Walter Camp Alumni of the Year
* Walter Camp Man of the Year
* National Football Foundation Distinguished American Award
* National Football Foundation Gold Medal Winners
* Theodore Roosevelt Award

Regional awards|

* Champ Pickens Cup (1923–1926; Southern Conference champion)
* Conerly Trophy (Mississippi)
* Jon Cornish Trophy (top Canadian NCAA player)
* Dudley Award (Virginia)
* Norris Cup (North Carolina, school's best athlete)
* Porter Cup (South, school's best athlete)
* Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award (Texas-related offensive player)
* Kent Hull Trophy (Mississippi; offensive lineman)
* Nils V. "Swede" Nelson Award (New England sportsmanship)

Awards organizations|

* Maxwell Football Club
* National Football Foundation
* Touchdown Club of Columbus (defunct)
* Walter Camp Football Foundation
* DC Touchdown Club

Halls of fame|

* College Football Hall of Fame

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