DALLAS (FWAA) – Illinois defensive coordinator Aaron Henry is this week’s nominee for the 2024 Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award. Henry coached the Fighting Illini to an upset win at Nebraska on Friday shortly after the passing of his sister.
“As excited as I was that we got the win in a complete team effort, part of me didn’t want to have to face the reality of heading home during the season to lay my sister to rest,” Henry posted on X the day after the win, adding his thanks to staffs at Illinois and Nebraska.
He continued: ”Thank you to everyone who reached out to myself or my family. Your thoughts and prayers were much appreciated.”
Henry’s older sister, 39-year-old Ashley Lee, died unexpectedly earlier this month. She was a mother of four children between the ages of 9 and 22. Henry coached Illinois in the following week’s win against Central Michigan, along with the win six days later at Nebraska, before her visitation and funeral that weekend in Florida.
Illini head coach Bret Bielema had recruited Henry to Wisconsin out of Immokalee, Fla., when Henry was 16. Henry went on to become an All-Big Ten safety with the Badgers in 2011, and the relationship only grew from there.
Henry was teaching and coaching prep football in Kalamazoo, Mich., when Bielema had asked him to come help with a camp in Arkansas, where Bielema coached from 2013-17. Henry stuck around, working odd jobs in the area until a spot opened up on the Razorbacks’ staff and he became a graduate assistant.
He went on to coach defensive backs at Rutgers, NC State and Vanderbilt before Bielema hired him to the same role with the Illini in 2021. Henry was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2023.
The 4-0 Illinois currently rank No. 15 nationally in scoring defense (12.5), and they have beaten two ranked teams in No. 19 Kansas and No. 22 Nebraska. They enter Saturday’s game at No. 9 Penn State ranked No. 19 in the AP poll.
The Courage Award was first presented by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) in 2002. A select group of writers from the FWAA vote on the winner each year. The requirements for nomination include displaying courage on or off the field, including overcoming an injury or physical handicap, preventing a disaster or living through hardship. The winner of the award will be included in festivities during Capital One Orange Bowl week and receive his trophy at an on-field presentation.
Previous winners of the Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award are Virginia runninf back Mike Hollins (2023), Oregon tight end Cam McCormick (2022), the University of Utah football Team (2021), Arkansas State analyst Alex Charlton (2020), Arkansas State coach Blake Anderson (2019), SUNY Cortland linebacker Kyle Richard (2018), Wisconsin safety D'Cota Dixon (2017), Pitt running back James Conner (2016), Miami offensive lineman Hunter Knighton (2015), Duke offensive lineman Laken Tomlinson (2014), San Jose State defensive lineman Anthony Larceval (2013), Clemson wide receiver Daniel Rodriguez (2012), Michigan State offensive lineman Arthur Ray Jr. (2011), Rutgers defensive tackle Eric LeGrand (2010), the University of Connecticut football team (2009), Tulsa's Wilson Holloway (2008), Navy's Zerbin Singleton (2007), Clemson's Ray Ray McElrathbey (2006), the Tulane football team (2005), Memphis' Haracio Colen (2004), San Jose State's Neil Parry (2003) and Toledo's William Bratton (2002).008), Navy's Zerbin Singleton (2007), Clemson's Ray Ray McElrathbey (2006), the Tulane football team (2005), Memphis' Haracio Colen (2004), San Jose State's Neil Parry (2003) and Toledo's William Bratton (2002).
About Orange Bowl
Orange Bowl is a 404-member, primarily-volunteer non-profit sports organization that promotes and serves the South Florida community. With its primary mission since being created in 1935 to bring tourism to South Florida through an annual football game and events, it has also maintained a legacy of charitable contributions and community outreach. Orange Bowl’s community outreach is embodied by the four pillars of its Orange Bowl Cares program: Youth Sports, Education, Community Engagement and Legacy Programs. Orange Bowl features a year-round schedule of events culminating with the 2024 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl on Jan. 9. 2025. For more information on the 2025 Orange Bowl events, including promotional inquiries and volunteer opportunities through the Ambassador Program, visit orangebowl.org or follow @OrangeBowl on social media.
Founded in 1941, the Football Writers Association of America consists of journalists, broadcasters, publicists, photographers and key executives in all areas of college football. The FWAA works to govern media access and gameday operations while presenting awards and honors, including an annual All-America team. For more information about the FWAA and its programs and initiatives, contact Executive Director Steve Richardson at 214-870-6516 or tiger@fwaa.com.
To submit a nomination for the 2024 Capital One Orange Bowl Courage Award, contact Matt Fortuna at matt.fortuna@gmail.com.