Ward Nominated for 2017 Broyles Award

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Syracuse defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Brian Ward is among the 56 nominees for the 2017 Broyles Award, released by the Frank and Barbara Broyles Foundation on Wednesday, Nov. 8.

Created in 1996 and named after the late Arkansas coach Frank Broyles, the award honors the top assistant coaches in college football. This year's candidates were selected from approximately 1,500 assistant coaches representing 129 FBS programs across the country.

Ward has engineered one of the most impressive defensive turnarounds in the FBS ranks this season. Syracuse is allowing 24.9 points a game, 13.7 fewer than it did in 2016. The Orange have also improved their total defense, limiting opponents to 136 yards less per game than a year ago. Both statistical improvements are currently among the top six in the nation.

Other 2017 defensive highlights include Syracuse's performance on third down and its play against the run. The Orange currently lead the country in third-down defense (.220) and have climbed 70 spots in the NCAA's rushing defense rankings, allowing 86.7 yards a game less on the ground than in 2016.

In addition to running the defense, Ward also coaches SU's linebackers. His unit features three players with 200+ career tackles, including All-ACC candidates Parris Bennett and Zaire Franklin. Bennett ranks fourth in the ACC in tackles per game (9.2), while Franklin is a quarterfinalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy, presented to the top defensive player in college football for their achievements both on and off the field.

A native of Glendale, Ariz., Ward has been a college coach for 21 seasons. He was named the CollegeFanz.com Sports Network NAIA Coach of the Year in 2009 as the head coach of his alma mater, McPherson College. In 2002, Ward was honored as the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division III Assistant Coach of the Year while working as the assistant head coach, special teams coordinator and secondary coach at Wabash College.

An 18-member selection committee of distinguished former head coaches, along with a committee representing the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), will select the 15 semifinalists and five finalists from the list of nominees. Those finalists will be invited to Little Rock, Ark. where the 2017 Broyles Award winner will be announced on Tuesday, Dec. 5 at the Marriott Hotel.

For more information on the Broyles Award, visit www.broylesaward.com.

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Syracuse University Athletics

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Players Mentioned

Parris Bennett

Zaire Franklin

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