After leading his team to a 12-0 regular season record, Ball State University football coach Brady Hoke was named the American Football Coaches Association Football Bowl Subdivision Region 3 Coach of the Year on Tuesday.
It was the first time Hoke, who is in his sixth season as the Cardinals' coach, won the regional award. He is also one of 10 finalists for the Liberty Mutual National Coach of the Year, which will be announced during halftime of the Music City Bowl on Dec. 31.
Fans can vote from Friday through Dec. 22 for the Liberty Mutual National Coach of the Year at www.CoachoftheYear.com or www.ballstatesports.com. A committee of College Football Hall of Fame players and coaches along with national media will also cast votes for the winner.
The fan vote accounts for 20 percent each coach's score. The hall of fame members account for 55 percent of the coaches' score and the media's vote accounts for 25 percent of the vote.
Hoke led the Cardinals to their first national rankings in The Associated Press Poll, USA Today Coaches Poll and Bowl Championship Series Standings for the first time in program history. They will play in the GMAC Bowl, which marks the first time the team has made back-to-back bowl appearances.
Ball State lost in the Mid-American Conference Championship Game - its first appearance in the game - to the University at Buffalo to finish the season 12-1.
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