Georgia Tech Defensive Coordinator Ted Roof named finalist for 2013 Broyles Award

Sep 14, 2013; Durham, NC, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets defensive coordinator Ted Roof in their game against Duke at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports

Every year, the Broyles Award is handed out to recognize the top assistant football coach in the nation, and it is a big-time honor. The list of 40 finalists for the 2013 award were announced on Wednesday, and there was a very familiar name for fans of the Georgia Tech program.

Defensive coordinator Ted Roof was selected as a finalist for the award, and he is extremely well-deserving. Roof re-joined the Tech staff just before the 2013 campaign (he was previously the DC from 1999-2001), and immediately turned his unit around to become one of the best in the nation this season.

The Jackets are currently 24th in the nation in points allowed (21.0 per game), but more impressively, they sit 18th in total yards allowed (342.6 per game) and 9th in rushing yards allowed (103.3 per game) despite a talent level that frankly doesn’t fit that level of play. This production is a stark contrast from 2012, and likely the impetus for his selection as a nominee.

To be honest, Roof has very little chance of securing the actual award, but just being nominated out of the 40 candidates is a significant recognition of what he has done. His defense (and the entire team) will have its hands full with the multi-talented Georgia offense on Saturday, but under Ted Roof, they’ve been up to the challenge thus far.