FWAA News from Mike Griffith News

Syracuse coach Fran Brown Earns Steve Spurrer First-Year Coach Award

Syracuse head coach Fran Brown inherited an Orange program coming off a losing season and a blowout bowl loss when he took the job prior to season’s end in November, 2023. He has since turned the Orange into a contender, guiding Syracuse to a 10-win season, a record-setting bowl victory at last month’s Holiday Bowl and a signature win over a marquee program to end the regular season. Those accolades, among others, earned Brown the Steve Spurrier First-Year Coach Award presented by Chris Doering Mortgage and awarded by the Football Writers Association of America.

FWAA unveils National Freshman Players of the Year

Two freshman players who helped take their teams into the College Football Playoff and another who took his team to the cusp of the 12-team mix are the trio who make up the 2024 Freshman Offense, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Year presented by Chris Doering Mortgage and awarded by the Football Writers Association of America.

Chadwell claims third Steve Spurrier Award

Liberty's Jamey Chadwell has been selected as the 2023 Steve Spurrier First-Year Coach of the Year Award recipient after leading Liberty to a 13-1 season. Chadwell lifted a good program to historic heights in Lynchburg, Virginia, the Flames reaching a New Year’s Six Bowl for the first time in program history before sufferng their only loss of the season to Oregon in the Fiesta Bowl.

Arizona's Fifita, Purdue's Thieneman highlight 2023 FWAA Freshman All-America Team

In a crowded field of outstanding quarterbacks in the Pac-12 Conference this season, Arizona's Noah Fifita stood tall guiding the Wildcats into title contention and a 10-win season while rewriting his school’s record book. Purdue safety Dillon Thieneman was a national interceptions and tackles leader leaving his mark as one of the top playmaking defenders in the Big Ten Conference. For their dynamic play on both sides of the ball, the Football Writers Association of America awarded the pair as its Offensive and Defensive Freshman Players of the Year presented by Chris Doering Mortgage. Fifita and Thieneman headline the FWAA’s 2023 Freshman All-America Team, a list of 32 players who had standout seasons among their more experienced peers.

Richt Selected as Steve Spurrier Legend

Second Legend Coach Award Named

Three Finalists Selected for Steve Spurrier First-Year Coach Award

Barry Odom, Jamey Chadwell and Jeff Brohm named Finalists for 2023 Spurrier Award

FWAA unveils 2022 Freshman All-America Team

DALLAS (FWAA) – North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye was the toast of Atlantic Coast Conference quarterbacks this season, throwing for 38 touchdowns and leading the league in passing yards (4,321) and total touchdowns (45). For his dynamic efforts that led the Tar Heels (9-5) to the ACC’s Coastal Division title, the Football Writers Association of America awarded him as its Freshman Player of the Year presented by Chris Doering Mortgage.

TCU's Dykes is Steve Spurrier First-Year Coach of the Year

DALLAS (FWAA) – TCU head coach Sonny Dykes, who guided the Horned Frogs to a 12-0 start, their first bid to the College Football Playoff and into the national championship game in this his first season in Fort Worth, is the winner of the Steve Spurrier First-Year Coach of the Year Award presented by the Football Writers Association of America and Chris Doering Mortgage.

Finalists for Steve Spurrier First-Year Coach Award and Freshman Player of the Year Announced

Finalists for Steve Spurrier First-Year Coach and Freshman Player of the Year Announced

Freshman Focus: Week 13

Each week during the 2022 season, we will highlight the notable performances of first-year players and head coaches leading up to the selection of our annual Freshman All-America Team and the Steve Spurrier First-Year Coach of the Year Award presented by Chris Doering Mortgage. Here are the top performances from Week 13, the weekend of Nov. 26:

Freshman Focus: Week 12

Each week during the 2022 season, we will highlight the notable performances of first-year players and head coaches leading up to the selection of our annual Freshman All-America Team and the Steve Spurrier First-Year Coach of the Year Award presented by Chris Doering Mortgage. Here are the top performances from Week 12, the weekend of Nov. 19

Freshman Focus: Week 11

Each week during the 2022 season, we will highlight the notable performances of first-year players and head coaches leading up to the selection of our annual Freshman All-America Team and the Steve Spurrier First-Year Coach of the Year Award presented by Chris Doering Mortgage. Here are the top performances from Week 11, the weekend of Nov. 12:

Freshman Focus: Week 10

Each week during the 2022 season, we will highlight the notable performances of first-year players and head coaches leading up to the selection of our annual Freshman All-America Team and the Steve Spurrier First-Year Coach of the Year Award presented by Chris Doering Mortgage. Here are the top performances from Week 10, the weekend of Nov. 5:

Freshman Focus: Week 9

Each week during the 2022 season, we will highlight the notable performances of first-year players and head coaches leading up to the selection of our annual Freshman All-America Team and the Steve Spurrier First-Year Coach of the Year Award presented by Chris Doering Mortgage. Here are the top performances from Week 9, the weekend of Oct. 29:

Fresh Four: Week 8

Each week during the 2022 season, we will highlight the notable performances of first-year players and head coaches leading up to the selection of our annual Freshman All-America Team and the Steve Spurrier First-Year Coach of the Year Award presented by Chris Doering Mortgage. Here are the top performances from Week 8, the weekend of Oct. 22:

Freshman Focus: Week 7

Each week during the 2022 season, we will highlight the notable performances of first-year players and head coaches leading up to the selection of our annual Freshman All-America Team and the Steve Spurrier First-Year Coach of the Year Award presented by Chris Doering Mortgage. Here are the top performances from Week 7, the weekend of Oct. 15.

Freshman Focus: Week 6

A look at the top performances from freshman players and first-year head coaches in Week 6 of the 2022 college football season.

Freshman Focus: Week 5

A look at the top performances from freshman players and first-year head coaches in Week 5 of the 2022 college football season.

Freshman Focus: Week 4

A look at the top performances from freshman players and first-year head coaches in Week 4 of the 2022 college football season.

Freshman Focus: Week 3

A look at the top performances from freshman players and first-year head coaches in Week 3 of the 2022 college football season.