Nov. 19, 2008

SALT LAKE CITY - University of Utah offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig and special teams coordinator Jay Hill have been named as finalists for FootballScoop Coach of the Year awards. Ludwig is one of five finalists for the offensive coordinator award while Hill is one of four up for the special teams coordinator award.

Ludwig leads an offense that is ranked first in the Mountain West Conference in scoring offense (36.5 points per game). The Utes rank third in the league in passing offense (230.5 yards per game) and total offense (403.9 yards per game). Ludwig is also the quarterbacks coach and, under him, senior Brian Johnson has become the winningest starting quarterback in school history (24-7).

Hill has coached first-team All-American Louie Sakoda his entire career. Sakoda, a 2007 All-America punter by the Football Writers Association of America and CBSSports.com, is a three-time Ray Guy top-10 semi-finalist and a two-time Lou Groza semi-finalist. Sakoda heads a special teams unit that ranks third in the country in punt return defense (3.11 yards per return). Hill's kickoff unit also excels. The Utes lead the MWC in kickoff coverage (48.8 net average) and Ben Vroman leads the country in touchbacks with 44. In the return game, David Reed rates 24th nationally with a 26.0 kickoff return average. Utah has blocked three kicks--all by Aiona Key (2 punts, 1 field goal attempt).

A panel of former coaches and players will evaluate the finalists and select the winners, which will be announced beginning on Dec. 7.