Chris Hatcher Named a Finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award
11/15/2007 5:21:00 AM | Football
STATESBORO, Ga. ? Georgia Southern head football coach Chris Hatcher has been named one of 16 finalists for the Eddie Robinson national ?Coach of the Year' award. The Sports Network released the list of finalists Thursday (Nov. 15).
Hatcher joins fellow Southern Conference coaches Jerry Moore (Appalachian State) and Pete Lembo (Elon) on the list. The Robinson Award, named for the legendary former Grambling coach, has been given annually by The Sports Network to the FCS national coach of the year since 1987. This year's winner will be announced on Thursday night, December 13 at the Sports Network's annual awards banquet to be held at the Marriott Hotel in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Hired last January to take over the Eagle football program that was coming off the worst modern era record at 3-8, Hatcher turned Georgia Southern around to a 7-3 team heading into the regular season finale. The Eagles contended for a Southern Conference title all season long and with a win at Colorado State this Saturday (Nov. 17) strengthens their case for an at-large bid to the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.
So far this season Georgia Southern posted wins against three ?Top 25' teams: #5 Appalachian State, #25 The Citadel and #10 Wofford all in consecutive weeks. Two of those wins came on the road when GS broke Appy's 30-game home win streak and at Wofford. Georgia Southern had not won at either place since 2001.
The Eagles have also recorded quality wins over South Dakota State (27th place in current ?Top 25' poll) and at Coastal Carolina.
Hatcher has the Eagles on the verge of making the playoffs despite the squad being hindered by injuries, as 16 players (on the 2-deep) have missed a total of 97 games due to injuries alone.
Twice during his head coaching tenure at Valdosta State Hatcher has been named national ?Coach of the Year' - 2002 (Schutt Sports) and 2004 (AFCA and Johnny Vaught).
