Alabama's Brian Daboll Nominated
For 2017 Broyles Award
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| Brian Daboll UA Football offensive coordinator Photo Credit: UA Athletics |
Eight Southeastern Conference assistant coaches have been nominated for the 2017 Broyles Award, and University of Alabama first-year offensive coordinator Brian Daboll is one of them. In total, 56 assistant coaches from across the nation have received nominations for the prestigious award. The award honors the country's top assistant coach. The announcement was made this week by the Frank and Barbara Broyles Foundation.
Daboll was chosen as offensive coordinator following the departure of former OC Lane Kiffin by University of Alabama football head coach Nick Saban in February 2017 after spending 17 years coaching in the NFL, including four years as an offensive coordinator.
He is a 1997 graduate of the University of Rochester and a two-year starter for the Yellow Jackets at safety. Brian and his wife Beth have five children, Marky, Christian, Aiden, Haven and Avery.
Here is a look at all eight of the SEC nominees:
ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE – Brian Daboll, Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Auburn – Kevin Steele, Defensive Coordinator
Georgia – Mel Tucker, Defensive Coordinator
LSU – Dave Aranda, Defensive Coordinator
Mississippi State – Todd Grantham, Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
Missouri – Josh Heupel, Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Ole Miss – Derrick Nix, Running Backs Coach
South Carolina – Coleman Hutzler, Special Teams Coordinator/Linebackers Coach
Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables was the winner of the award last season. Incidentally, coaches who have won in the past five seasons are not eligible to win again.
A committee of former head coaches and representatives of the Football Writers Association are tasked with the job of selecting 15 semifinalists from the group, then narrowing it down even further to five finalists. The finalists will all be invited to Little Rock, Arkansas where the 2017 Broyles Award winner is set to be announced on Tuesday, December 5th.
Proceeds from the 2017 Broyles Award supports the mission of the Broyles Foundation, which is to provide education, support and resources to Alzheimer's caregivers.
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Collin Sexton Ruled Eligible,
Must Sit Out Opener Versus Memphis
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| Collin Sexton Photo Credit: UA Athletics |
University of Alabama men's basketball star freshman guard Collin Sexton will be eligible to play for the Crimson Tide. The NCAA ruling was announced last night. However, Sexton will not be allowed to play in Bama's season-opener against the Memphis Tigers tonight. His eligibility will begin next Tuesday for Bama's home-opener against Lipscomb.
UA Director of Athletics Greg Byrne said in a statement, "Collin Sexton will sit out of Friday's season-opener against Memphis to
serve a one-game suspension for a violation of NCAA rules. He will be eligible
for competition in the team's home opener on Tuesday versus Lipscomb. We
appreciate the NCAA's efforts to reach a timely resolution of his
eligibility."
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Crimson Tide Foundation Receives $1 Million Gift
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| Greg Byrne University of Alabama Athletic Director Photo Credit: UA Athletics |
TUSCALOOSA, Alabama - University of Alabama Director of Athletics Greg Byrne has announced that the Crimson Tide Foundation has recently received a new $1 million gift in suppost of future athletics facility
enhancements. Gifts such as this will help ensure that UA is "able to
keep our facilities in championship form," Byrne said.
The donor, who wishes to
remain anonymous, is a long-time supporter of University of Alabama athletics, and "we are
deeply grateful for this generous contribution in support of the future
of Alabama Athletics, " Byrne continued.
For more information about giving opportunities of
any size, or to join in the effort to build and maintain the university facilities
for future champions, you are invited to visit and contribute at crimsontidefoundation.org.
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University Of Alabama Women's Basketball
Inks Seven During Early Signing Period
Curry said, "This is a special, four state class that is, by far, the deepest and most talented that we have signed. We feel like the experiences they bring from winning state championships to competing on the biggest stage in the summer will allow them to be an immediate impact. The people and talent in this class are just a great example of where the program is headed."
Here is a look at the newest members of the University of Alabama women's basketball team courtesy of RollTide.com:
MEGAN ABRAMS
Abrams, a 5-9 guard from Lafayette, La., led Lafayette Christian Academy, under the direction of Errol Rogers, to its first state championship and was named Most Outstanding Player in the finals. As a junior, she also hauled in all-tournament team honors and was named Class 1A First Team All-State, 7-1A District MVP and 7-1A First Team All-District while averaging 21.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game.
Abrams was one of 10 selected to the 2017 Adidas USA Select Basketball Team that competed in Italy this past June. She also won the 2017 Adidas National Championship (Platinum division) and is a two-time Adidas 3 Stripe All-American. She played AAU basketball with Texas Elite Adidas Prime, coached by Joey Simmons.
HANNAH BARBER
Barber comes to the Capstone as one of the top prospects out of Alabama. The 5-6 point guard from Homewood was named the 2017 Birmingham Metro Player of the Year, AL.com Female Athlete of the Year and Birmingham Tip Off Club Player of the Year. Barber, who is coached by Jazmine Powers at Homewood High School, has led the Lady Patriots to two state titles and a 110-19 record while averaging 12.5 points, 2.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 3.0 steals per game. She is a three-time 6A First Team All-State selection as well as a three-time Birmingham Metro First Team honoree and a three-time Final Four All-Tournament Team member. She also participated in the 2017 AHSAA North-South All-Star Game.
Barber played AAU ball for Alabama Heat, under Steve and JoVanka Ward, and Alabama Southern Starz, coached by Doug Bush.
DE'SHA BENJAMIN
Benjamin, a 6-0 wing out of Augusta, Ga., has put up big numbers during her career at Lucy C. Laney High School under the legendary Otis Smart. As a junior, she averaged 20.2 points, shooting 49 percent from the floor, 8.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 2.7 steals. Benjamin was the 2017 Atlanta Journal Constitution AA Player of the Year and was named First Team AAA All-State by the outlet in 2016. She also earned Augusta Chronicle Player of the Year honors as a sophomore and has already won a pair of state championships.
Benjamin was a member of the Georgia Sting AAU team, which is under the direction of Will Avery.
GABRIELLE CRAWFORD
Crawford, who is ranked 89th overall in the ESPNU HoopGurlz Top 100, was the Millington Star Female Athlete of the Year and a finalist for the Commercial Appeal Player of the Year. The 6-2 forward from Memphis averaged 18.3 points, while shooting 68 percent, 11.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.2 steals per game a season ago for head coach Steve Poindexter at Munford High School. She's also been named MVP at multiple tournaments including her district and regional tournaments as well as the Larry Ransom Tournament.
Crawford played AAU for Memphis Elite, under Eric Daniels, and Tennessee Flight, coached by Cory Barrett.
ALLIE CRAIG CRUCE
Cruce, a 6-1 forward out of Killen, Ala., earned numerous awards after her junior season at Lauderdale County High School under head coach Brant Llewellyn. She was selected as the 3A Player of the Year and was also named to the 2017 all-state, all-region, all-area and all-county teams. Cruce led the Tigers with averages of 20.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game, and like Barber, was also a participant in the 2017 AHSAA North-South All-Star Game.
Cruce played AAU for the Huntsville Starz, under Brian Gafford, and Alabama Southern Starz, coached by Doug Bush. She was a member of the 2016 squad that won the D2 AAU National Championship.
CIERRA JOHNSON
Johnson, ranked the #1 junior college player in the nation by Collegiate Girls Report, is a 5-10 do-it-all guard, who spent the past season tearing up the junior college ranks at nearby Shelton State Community College coached by Alabama Alumnae Madonna Thompson. She led the Alabama Community College Conference in numerous statistical categories including points scored (633), points per game (17.6), field goals made (233), free throws made (130), defensive rebounds (153), assists per game (5.9), assists (212) and steals (116).
The Mobile, Ala., native was named ACCC Player of the Week four times, ACCC All-North League Player of the Year, ACCC All-Region 22 Player of the Year and ACCC Tournament MVP, while being selected to the ACCC All-North League First Team, ACCC All-Region 22 First Team a season ago.
Johnson, was also recognized nationally for her 2016-17 performance, being named an NJCAA First Team All-American and to the NJCAA National All-Tournament Team. In addition, she earned MVP honors at NJCAA All-Star Weekend.
TANIYAH WORTH
Worth is a 6-1 wing from Flowery Branch, Ga., who averaged 17.1 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.4 steals per game in her junior year at Flowery Branch High School, playing for Courtney Gonzalez. This past season, Worth led Flowery Branch to its first Class 5A Final Four en route to earning First Team AAAAA All-State honors. In her last two seasons with the Falcons, Worth was named the team MVP as well as Lanierland MVP. She's earned a spot on the all-region team twice and was named honorable mention all-state in 2017. The Gainesville Times selected Worth to its all-area first team, and she was also a member of the GACA Junior All-Star team.
In addition to her high school basketball career, Worth was selected to participate in the 2017 Adidas Uprising All-American Camp and traveled on the Innerman Academy Lady Rebels Gauntlet Adidas AAU team under Torrey Bates.
