Tulsa's Kragthorpe Named Semifinalist for Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award
First-year Hurricane coach selected one of six semifinalists


Dec. 10, 2003

Dallas, Texas - University of Tulsa Head Football Coach Steve Kragthorpe is one of six semifinalists for the Eddie Robinson/FWAA Coach of the Year Award as announced today by the Football Writers Association of America.

Kragthorpe is joined on the list of semifinalists by Southern California's Pete Carroll, Navy's Paul Johnson, TCU's Gary Patterson, LSU's Nick Saban and Oklahoma's Bob Stoops. The winner will be named Jan. 8 in Phoenix, Ariz.

The FWAA has presented a Coach of the Year Award since 1957 and annually selects the winner by a vote of its entire membership.

Kragthorpe was recently named the Western Athletic Conference Coach of the Year as voted on by the league's coaches. He led Tulsa to an 8-4 record and to its first bowl game in 12 years. Tulsa came off back-to-back one-win seasons prior to Kragthorpe's arrival. The Golden Hurricane finished in a tie for second in the WAC with a 6-2 record and will play Georgia Tech in the Humanitarian Bowl on Jan. 3.

His coaching job helped produce the biggest turnaround in Division I-A this season. And, the eight victories are the most at the school since 1991.

The FWAA honors an outstanding coach each year in the name of Grambling State University's Eddie Robinson, the winningest Division I head coach in college football history. The banquet also helps support the Eddie Robinson Foundation, which is based in Atlanta.

Well deserved recoginition for Coach K and Tulsa no matter if he wins or not. Coach K has got more pub for Tulsa football this year than the last 10 years combined!!

Is this the AP award?

Coach K finished in a tie for third with Stoops.......Caroll got second.............and Saban(LSU) won the award...