Oct 25, 2014; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive coordinator Brent Venables reacts during the first quarter against the Syracuse Orange at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables was named the winner of the Broyles Award, which goes to college football’s top assistant coach.
The announcement was made Tuesday in Little Rock, Ark.
Venables won the award over four other finalists: Michigan defensive coordinator Don Brown, Alabama defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt, Colorado defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt and Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Matt Canada.
Venables won the award for the first time in his third time as a finalist. He was also a finalist for the award last season and in 2006 while serving as a defensive coordinator at Oklahoma.
Venables’ defense at Clemson ranked ninth nationally this season in total defense (313.9 yards per game) and helped the Tigers return to the College Football Playoff for the second consecutive season. Clemson will face Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl on Dec. 31.
