By Jose Trujillo (@jAy_Ay_T):
There are over 1000 assistant coaches in the NCAA Division 1 Football Bowl Subdivision but only 56 have the honor of being nominated for the 2017 Broyles Award.
A surprise to everyone, San Jose State University linebackers coach Bojay Filimoeatu happens to be on that list of nominations.
The Broyles Award, which is named after former University of Arkansas head coach and athletic director Frank Broyles, is given to the top assistant coach in Division 1 football.
For SJSU, it’s no secret that the season has been an uphill battle. Inexperience, injuries and turnovers have made winning a struggle for the team.
So how does an assistant coach of a 1-10 team receive such recognition?
Well, even in a year as disastrous as 2017, Filimoeatu has managed to make a positive impact for the Spartans.
This is evident throughout the linebacking core, specifically Frank Ginda, who has arguably turned into the Spartans’ best player.
Ginda currently leads the FBS in total tackle at 152 and tackles per game with 14.
San Jose State has lacked consistent play from almost every position except at the linebacker spot. If there is one thing head coach Brent Brennan can count on is that Filimoeatu will have his players ready to go every week. No excuses.
Proof of this came during the Spartans’ recent home game against San Diego State.
With starter Ethan Aguayo out, Filimoeatu turned to freshman Tysyn Parker to fill the role next to Ginda. In his first start, Parker would tie Ginda with a team-high 16 tackles.
Parker played great, he stepped up when his number was called. This is a testament to Filimoeatu and how he keeps his players prepared, mentally and physically.
The linebacker corps has been a model of consistency all season for the Spartans.
It does not matter who he coaches.
Due to a slew of injuries, the Spartan coaching staff have had to make position changes throughout the roster.
One of the most extreme changes happened to Coach Filimoeatu. In need of depth, he is now turning former backup quarterback Sam Allen into a linebacker.
A very interesting situation for Filimoeatu. He has to teach a player to tackle who all season has been told to avoid contact.
Wow.
But a quarterback playing linebacker sums up Filimoeatu’s first season as linebackers coach at SJSU
Through it all, he has shown resilience and has brought moments of small triumph in what has been a season of sorrow for the Spartans.
This is why he was nominated for the 2017 Broyles Award.
The winner will be chosen on December 5 in Little Rock, Arkansas.