Sun Belt Conference football individual awards explained

This is a list of Sun Belt Conference players and coaches who have been recognized for their work on the field at the end of each football season.

Player of the Year

Season	Player		Team
2001	Wes Counts	QB	Middle Tennessee	^[1] ^[2]
2002	Brandon Kennedy	DT	North Texas	^[3] ^[4] ^[5] ^[6]
2003	Brandon Kennedy (2)	DT	North Texas	^[7] ^[8]
2004	Jamario Thomas	RB	North Texas	^[9] ^[10] ^[11]
2005	Steven Jyles	QB	UL Monroe	^[12] ^[13] ^[14]
2006	Omar Haugabook	QB	Troy	^[15] ^[16] ^[17]
2007	Rusty Smith	QB	Florida Atlantic	^[18] ^[19] ^[20] ^[21]
2008	Tyrell Fenroy	RB	UL Lafayette	^[22] ^[23] ^[24]
2009	Levi Brown	QB	Troy	^[25] ^[26]
2010	T. Y. Hilton	WR	FIU	^[27] ^[28]
2011	Ryan Aplin	QB	Arkansas State	^[29] ^[30] ^[31]
2012	Ryan Aplin (2)	QB	Arkansas State	^[32] ^[33] ^[34]
2013	Antonio Andrews	RB	Western Kentucky	^[35] ^[36] ^[37]
2014	Elijah McGuire	RB	UL Lafayette	^[38] ^[39] ^[40] ^[41]
2015	Nick Arbuckle	QB	Georgia State	^[42] ^[43] ^[44] ^[45] ^[46]
2016	Ja'Von Rolland-Jones	DE	Arkansas State	^[47] ^[48] ^[49] ^[50] ^[51]
2017	Ja'Von Rolland-Jones (2)	DE	Arkansas State	^[52] ^[53] ^[54] ^[55]
2018	Justice Hansen	QB	Arkansas State	^[56] ^[57] ^[58]
2019	Omar Bayless	WR	Arkansas State	^[59] ^[60] ^[61] ^[62]
2020	Grayson McCall	QB	Coastal Carolina	^[63] ^[64] ^[65] ^[66]
2021	Grayson McCall (2)	QB	Coastal Carolina	^[67] ^[68] ^[69]
2022	Grayson McCall (3)	QB	Coastal Carolina	^[70] ^[71] ^[72]
2023	Jordan McCloud	QB	James Madison	^[73] ^[74] ^[75]

Source:^[76]

Offensive Player of the Year

Season	Player		Team
2001	Dwone Hicks	RB	Middle Tennessee	^[77]
2002	Danny Smith	RB	Arkansas State
2003	Patrick Cobbs	RB	North Texas
2004	Jamario Thomas	RB	North Texas
2005	Steven Jyles	QB	UL Monroe
2006	Omar Haugabook	QB	Troy
2007	Omar Haugabook (2)	QB	Troy
2008	Michael Desormeaux	QB	UL Lafayette
2009	Levi Brown	QB	Troy
2010	Bobby Rainey	RB	Western Kentucky	^[78] ^[79]
2011	Bobby Rainey (2)	RB	Western Kentucky
2012	Kolton Browning	QB	UL Monroe	^[80]
2013	Antonio Andrews	RB	Western Kentucky
2014	Elijah McGuire	RB	UL Lafayette
2015	Larry Rose III	RB	New Mexico State	^[81] ^[82]
2016	Jalin Moore	RB	Appalachian State	^[83] ^[84]
2017	Justice Hansen	QB	Arkansas State	^[85]
2018	Zac Thomas	QB	Appalachian State	^[86]
2019	Darrynton Evans	RB	Appalachian State	^[87] ^[88]
2020	Jonathan Adams	WR	Arkansas State
2021	Jalen Tolbert	WR	South Alabama	^[89]
2022	Todd Centeio	QB	James Madison	^[90]
2023	Kimani Vidal	RB	Troy	^[91]

Source:^[92]

Defensive Player of the Year

Season	Player		Team
2001	Brad Kassell	LB	North Texas	^[93]
2002	Brandon Kennedy	DT	North Texas
2003	Chris Hurd	LB	North Texas
2004	DeMarcus Ware	DE	Troy State	^[94]
2005	Jeff Littlejohn	DT	Middle Tennessee	^[95]
2006	Keyonvis Bouie	LB	FIU
2007	Tyrell Johnson	S	Arkansas State	^[96]
2008	Alex Carrington	DE	Arkansas State	^[97]
2009	Cardia Jackson	LB	UL Monroe	^[98]
	Chris McCoy	DE	Middle Tennessee
2010	Jamari Lattimore	DE	Middle Tennessee	^[99]
2011	Brandon Joiner	DE	Arkansas State	^[100]
2012	Quanterus Smith	DE	Western Kentucky	^[101] ^[102]
2013	Xavius Boyd	LB	Western Kentucky
2014	David Mayo	LB	Texas State	^[103] ^[104]
2015	Ronald Blair	DE	Appalachian State	^[105]
2016	Rashad Dillard	DE	Troy
2017	Jeremy Reaves	S	South Alabama
2018	Ronheen Bingham	DE	Arkansas State
2019	Akeem Davis-Gaither	LB	Appalachian State	^[106] ^[107]
2020	Tarron Jackson	DE	Coastal Carolina	^[108]
2021	D'Marco Jackson	LB	Appalachian State	^[109]
2022	Carlton Martial	LB	Troy
2023	Jalen Green	DE	James Madison	^[110]

Source:^[111]

Coach of the Year

Season	Coach	Team
2001	Darrell Dickey	North Texas
2002	Darrell Dickey (2)	North Texas
2003	Darrell Dickey (3)	North Texas
2004	Darrell Dickey (4)	North Texas
2005	Steve Roberts	Arkansas State	^[112] ^[113]
2006	Rick Stockstill	Middle Tennessee
2007	Howard Schnellenberger	Florida Atlantic	^[114]
2008	Larry Blakeney	Troy
2009	Larry Blakeney (2)	Troy	^[115]
	Rick Stockstill	Middle Tennessee
2010	Mario Cristobal	FIU
2011	Hugh Freeze	Arkansas State
2012	Todd Berry	UL Monroe
2013	Joey Jones	South Alabama	^[116]
2014	Willie Fritz	Georgia Southern	^[117]
2015	Trent Miles	Georgia State	^[118]
2016	Paul Petrino	Idaho	^[119]
2017	Neal Brown	Troy
2018	Scott Satterfield	Appalachian State
2019	Billy Napier	Louisiana	^[120]
2020	Jamey Chadwell	Coastal Carolina	^[121]
2021	Billy Napier (2)	Louisiana
2022	Jon Sumrall	Troy
2023	Curt Cignetti	James Madison

Source:^[122]

Freshman of the Year

Season	Player		Team
2001	Ja'Mal Branch	WR	North Texas
2002	Paul Dombrowski	QB	New Mexico State
2003	Kevin Payne	RB	UL Monroe
2004	Jamario Thomas	RB	North Texas
2005	Tyrell Fenroy	RB	UL Lafayette
2006	Reggie Arnold	RB	Arkansas State
2007	Giovanni Vizza	QB	North Texas
2008	T. Y. Hilton	WR	FIU
2009	Shawn Southward	RB	Troy
2010	Corey Robinson	QB	Troy
2011
2012	J. D. McKissic	WR	Arkansas State
2013	Elijah McGuire	RB	Louisiana
2014	Taylor Lamb	QB	Appalachian State
2015	Penny Hart	WR	Georgia State
2016	Clifton Duck	CB	Appalachian State
2017	Marcus Jones	CB	Troy
2018	Marcel Murray	RB	Arkansas State
2019	Layne Hatcher	QB	Arkansas State
2020	Grayson McCall	QB	Coastal Carolina
2021	Montrel Johnson Jr.	RB	Louisiana
2022	Jared Brown	WR	Coastal Carolina
2023	Jaylen Raynor	QB	Arkansas State	^[123]

Newcomer of the Year

Season	Player		Team
2001	Kevin Galbreath	RB	North Texas
2002	Jonathan Burke	CB	Arkansas State
2003	Aubrey Dorisme	DE	New Mexico State
2004	Dylan Lineberry	G	North Texas
2005	Aaron Weathers	S	North Texas
2006	Omar Haugabook	QB	Troy
2007	Chris Bradwell	DT	Troy
2008	Levi Brown	QB	Troy
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016	Aikeem Coleman	DE	Idaho
2017	Ron LaForce	S	New Mexico State
2018	Kirk Merritt	WR	Arkansas State
2019	Kaylon Geiger	WR	Troy
2020	D'Jordan Strong	CB	Coastal Carolina
2021	Chase Brice	QB	Appalachian State
2022	Todd Centeio	QB	James Madison
2023	Joey Aguilar	QB	Appalachian State

Notes and References

1. Web site: 2001 Football All-Conference Teams Announced: MT's Wes Counts named 2001 Player of the Year. sunbeltsports.org. December 4, 2001. March 31, 2024.
2. Web site: 2001 Sun Belt Conference Year Summary. sports-reference.com. March 31, 2024.
3. Web site: NT's Brandon Kennedy named Sun Belt Football Player of the Year: ASU's Danny Smith named Offensive Player of the Year; NT's Darrell Dickey named Coach of the Year. sunbeltsports.org. December 3, 2002. March 31, 2024.
4. Web site: 2002 Sun Belt Conference Year Summary. sports-reference.com. March 31, 2024.
5. Web site: Brandon Kennedy (2012) - North Texas Athletics Hall of Fame. meangreensports.com. March 31, 2024.
6. Web site: Brandon Kennedy - Football. meangreensports.com. March 31, 2024.
7. Web site: Brandon Kennedy Named Sun Belt Player of the Year, Again: NT's Cobbs and Hurd named Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year. sunbeltsports.org. December 2, 2003. March 31, 2024.
8. Web site: 2003 Sun Belt Conference Year Summary. sports-reference.com. March 31, 2024.
9. Web site: Jamario Thomas named Sun Belt Player of the Year: Troy's Demarcus Ware named Defensive Player of the Year. sunbeltsports.org. November 30, 2004. March 31, 2024.
10. Web site: 2004 Sun Belt Conference Year Summary. sports-reference.com. March 31, 2024.
11. Web site: Jamario Thomas - Football. meangreensports.com. March 31, 2024.
12. Web site: 2005 Sun Belt Conference Year Summary. sports-reference.com. March 31, 2024.
13. Web site: Steven Jyles (2018) - Hall of Fame. ulmwarhawks.com. March 31, 2024.
14. Web site: Littlejohn named SBC Defensive Player of the Year. goblueraiders.com. December 6, 2005. March 31, 2024.
15. Web site: 2006 Sun Belt Conference Year Summary. sports-reference.com. March 31, 2024.
16. Web site: Omar Haugabook - Football. troytrojans.com. March 31, 2024.
17. Web site: Stockstill named Sun Belt Conference Coach of the Year. goblueraiders.com. December 6, 2006. March 31, 2024.
18. Web site: 2007 Sun Belt Conference Year Summary. sports-reference.com. March 31, 2024.
19. Web site: Rusty Smith - Football. fausports.com. March 31, 2024.
20. Web site: Ten ULM Football Players Named All-Conference Highlighted by Three First Team Honors. ulmwarhawks.com. December 5, 2007. March 31, 2024.
21. Web site: SBC Defensive Player of the Year Johnson Among Nine ASU All-SBC Picks. astateredwolves.com. December 5, 2007. April 1, 2024.
22. Web site: 2008 Sun Belt Conference Year Summary. sports-reference.com. March 31, 2024.
23. Web site: Sun Belt Conference Names 2008 Teams. 247sports.com. December 9, 2008. March 31, 2024.
24. Web site: Seven ULM Players Selected to Sun Belt All-Conference Team. ulmwarhawks.com. December 9, 2008. March 31, 2024.
25. Web site: 2009 Sun Belt Conference Year Summary. sports-reference.com. March 31, 2024.
26. Web site: ULM's Cardia Jackson Named Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year - Eight Warhawks Named All-Sun Belt. ulmwarhawks.com. December 9, 2009. March 31, 2024.
27. Web site: Hilton Named Sun Belt Player of the Year, Cristobal Coach of the Year. fiusports.com. December 8, 2010. April 1, 2024.
28. Web site: 2010 Sun Belt Conference Year Summary. sports-reference.com. April 1, 2024.
29. Web site: Ryan Aplin (2021) - Hall of Honor. astateredwolves.com. April 1, 2024.
30. Web site: Georgia Southern OC Ryan Aplin Was A Sun Belt Legend At Arkansas State. si.com. March 18, 2024. April 1, 2024.
31. Web site: 2011 Sun Belt Conference Year Summary. sports-reference.com. April 1, 2024.
32. Web site: ASU's Aplin Leads All-Sun Belt Football Team for Second Consecutive Year. sunbeltsports.org. December 5, 2012. April 1, 2024.
33. Web site: Player of the Year Aplin Among 10 A-State All-Sun Belt Selections. astateredwolves.com. December 5, 2012. April 1, 2024.
34. Web site: 2012 Sun Belt Conference Year Summary. sports-reference.com. April 1, 2024.
35. Web site: All-American Honors Roll in for WKU's Antonio Andrews. sunbeltsports.org. January 10, 2014. April 1, 2024.
36. Web site: WKU's Andrews and Boyd Win Sun Belt Player of the Year Honors. wkyufm.org. December 11, 2013. April 1, 2024.
37. Web site: 2013 Sun Belt Conference Year Summary. sports-reference.com. April 1, 2024.
38. Web site: UL Lafayette's McGuire Headlines All-Sun Belt Conference Teams and Individual Award Winners. sunbeltsports.org. December 10, 2014. April 1, 2024.
39. Web site: Elijah McGuire - 2016 Football Roster. ragincajuns.com. April 1, 2024.
40. Web site: 2014 Sun Belt Conference Year Summary. sports-reference.com. April 1, 2024.
41. Web site: A-State Places 11 on All-Sun Belt Conference Football Team. astateredwolves.com. December 10, 2014. April 1, 2024.
42. Web site: Georgia State's Arbuckle Headlines All-Sun Belt Conference Football Team. sunbeltsports.org. December 9, 2015. April 1, 2024.
43. Web site: Notes and Highlights from Memorable 2015 Season. georgiastatesports.com. January 20, 2016. April 1, 2024.
44. Web site: Nick Arbuckle - Football. georgiastatesports.com. April 1, 2024.
45. Web site: Arbuckle Joins CFL's Stampeders. georgiastatesports.com. September 27, 2016. April 1, 2024.
46. Web site: 2015 Sun Belt Conference Year Summary. sports-reference.com. April 1, 2024.
47. Web site: Sun Belt announces 2016 Football All-Conference teams and individual awards. sunbeltsports.org. December 7, 2016. April 1, 2024.
48. Web site: Rolland-Jones Named to Ted Hendricks Award Watch List. astateredwolves.com. August 21, 2017. April 1, 2024.
49. Web site: 2016 Sun Belt Conference Year Summary. sports-reference.com. April 1, 2024.
50. Web site: Seven Eagles Earn All-Sun Belt Honors. gseagles.com. December 7, 2016. April 1, 2024.
51. Web site: Peters, Riles Named To First Team; Nine Cajuns On 2016 All-Sun Belt Conference Team. ragincajuns.com. December 7, 2016. April 1, 2024.
52. Web site: Sun Belt announces 2017 Football All-Conference Teams and Individual Awards. sunbeltsports.org. December 6, 2017. April 1, 2024.
53. Web site: 2017 Sun Belt Conference Year Summary. sports-reference.com. April 1, 2024.
54. Web site: Eight Mountaineers Make All-Sun Belt First Team. appstatesports.com. December 6, 2017. April 1, 2024.
55. Web site: Seven Eagles Earn All-Sun Belt Honors. gseagles.com. December 6, 2017. April 1, 2024.
56. Web site: Sun Belt Announces 2018 Football Postseason All-Conference, Individual Awards. sunbeltsports.org. November 28, 2018. April 1, 2024.
57. Web site: 2018 Sun Belt Conference Year Summary. sports-reference.com. April 1, 2024.
58. Web site: Awards for Thomas, Satterfield Headline All-Sun Belt Honors. appstatesports.com. November 28, 2018. April 1, 2024.
59. Web site: 2019 Sun Belt Football Postseason Awards Announced. sunbeltsports.org. December 3, 2019. April 1, 2024.
60. Web site: 2019 Sun Belt Conference Year Summary. sports-reference.com. April 1, 2024.
61. Web site: 11 Chants Earn Sun Belt Postseason Honors. goccusports.com. December 4, 2019. April 1, 2024.
62. Web site: Ten Eagles Earn All-Sun Belt Honors. gseagles.com. December 2, 2019. April 1, 2024.
63. Web site: 2020 Sun Belt Football Postseason Awards Announced. sunbeltsports.org. December 21, 2020. April 2, 2024.
64. Web site: Chants Dominate SBC Football Postseason Honors. goccusports.com. December 20, 2020. April 2, 2024.
65. Web site: Grayson McCall - Football. goccusports.com. April 2, 2024.
66. Web site: 2020 Sun Belt Conference Year Summary. sports-reference.com. April 2, 2024.
67. Web site: Sun Belt Announces 2021 Football Postseason Awards & All-Conference Teams. sunbeltsports.org. December 2, 2021. April 2, 2024.
68. Web site: McCall Repeats as SBC Player of the Year; 16 Chants Earn All-Sun Belt Accolades. goccusports.com. December 2, 2021. April 2, 2024.
69. Web site: 2021 Sun Belt Conference Year Summary. sports-reference.com. April 2, 2024.
70. Web site: Sun Belt Announces 2022 Football Postseason Awards & All-Conference Teams. sunbeltsports.org. December 1, 2022. April 2, 2024.
71. Web site: McCall Makes History; 14 Chants Earn Postseason Honors. goccusports.com. December 1, 2022. April 2, 2024.
72. Web site: 2022 Sun Belt Conference Year Summary. sports-reference.com. April 2, 2024.
73. Web site: Sun Belt Announces 2023 Football Postseason Awards & All-Conference Teams. sunbeltsports.org. November 30, 2023. April 2, 2024.
74. Web site: McCloud Voted Player of the Year, Dukes Earn Three Major Awards & 17 All-Sun Belt Honors. jmusports.com. November 30, 2023. April 2, 2024.
75. Web site: 2023 Sun Belt Conference Year Summary. sports-reference.com. April 2, 2024.
76. Web site: Sun Belt Player of the Year Winners. sports-reference.com. March 31, 2024.
77. Web site: Where are they Now: Dwone Hicks. goblueraiders.com. November 2, 2021. March 31, 2024.
78. Web site: Rainey Named Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year, Four Hilltoppers Selected To All-Conference Team. wkusports.com. December 8, 2010. April 1, 2024.
79. Web site: Five Hilltopper Greats to be Inducted into WKU Athletic Hall of Fame. wkusports.com. September 6, 2022. April 1, 2024.
80. Web site: Kolton Browning - 2013 Football Roster. ulmwarhawks.com. April 1, 2024.
81. Web site: Larry Rose III - 2017 Football Roster. nmstatesports. April 1, 2024.
82. Web site: Two Former Aggies Selected in USFL Draft. nmstatesports. February 24, 2022. April 1, 2024.
83. Web site: LEAGUE-BEST 12 APPS EARN ALL-SUN BELT HONORS. appstatesports.com. December 7, 2016. April 1, 2024.
84. Web site: Jalin Moore - 2018 Football Roster. appstatesports.com. April 1, 2024.
85. Web site: Justice Hansen - 2018 Football Roster. astateredwolves.com. April 1, 2024.
86. Web site: Zac Thomas - Football. appstatesports.com. April 1, 2024.
87. Web site: Player of Year Honors for Davis-Gaither, Evans Highlight Sun Belt Awards. appstatesports.com. December 3, 2019. April 1, 2024.
88. Web site: Darrynton Evans - Football. appstatesports.com. April 1, 2024.
89. Web site: TOLBERT IS SBC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR AS EIGHT FROM JAG FOOTBALL PICK UP HONORS. usajaguars.com. December 2, 2021. April 2, 2024.
90. Web site: Centeio Voted Offensive Player and Newcomer of the Year, 12 Dukes Named All-Sun Belt. jmusports.com. December 1, 2022. April 1, 2024.
91. Web site: Vidal Named Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year; Troy Lands 16 on All-SBC Team. troytrojans.com. November 30, 2023. April 2, 2024.
92. Web site: Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year Winners. sports-reference.com. March 31, 2024.
93. Web site: Kassell signs with the Titans. meangreensports.com. December 5, 2002. March 31, 2024.
94. Web site: DeMarcus Ware (2012) - Hall of Fame. troytrojans.com. March 31, 2024.
95. Web site: Jeff Littlejohn - Football. goblueraiders.com. March 31, 2024.
96. Web site: Tyrell Johnson (2016) - Hall of Honor. astateredwolves.com. March 31, 2024.
97. Web site: Alex Carrington (2019) - Hall of Honor. astateredwolves.com. March 31, 2024.
98. Web site: Chris McCoy - Football. goblueraiders.com. March 31, 2024.
99. Web site: Jamari Lattimore - Football. goblueraiders.com. April 1, 2024.
100. Web site: Players All-Star Classic to Feature Five Red Wolves. astateredwolves.com. January 20, 2012. April 1, 2024.
101. Web site: Quanterus Smith: 5 Things You Need to Know About the Western Kentucky DE. syndication.bleacherreport.com. April 26, 2013. April 1, 2024.
102. Web site: Jackson Named SBC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. wkusports.com. July 15, 2013. April 1, 2024.
103. Web site: David Mayo - Football. txst.com. April 1, 2024.
104. Web site: 5 Things To Know About LB David Mayo. commanders.com. March 24, 2021. April 1, 2024.
105. Web site: Ronald Blair - Football. appstatesports.com. April 1, 2024.
106. Web site: App State Alum Davis-Gaither to Represent Sun Belt in Super Bowl LVI. sunbeltsports.org. February 8, 2022. April 1, 2024.
107. Web site: Akeem Davis-Gaither - Football. appstatesports.com. April 1, 2024.
108. Web site: Tarron Jackson - Football. goccusports.com. April 2, 2024.
109. Web site: D'Marco Jackson Drafted by New Orleans Saints in Fifth Round. appstatesports.com. April 30, 2022. April 2, 2024.
110. Web site: Jalen Green Wins 2023 Bill Dudley Award, Top Player in Commonwealth. jmusports.com. December 9, 2023. April 2, 2024.
111. Web site: Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year Winners. sports-reference.com. March 31, 2024.
112. Web site: Steve Roberts - Head Coach - Football Coaches. astateredwolves.com. March 31, 2024.
113. Web site: Ten ASU Football Players Named All-Sun Belt Conference. astateredwolves.com. December 6, 2006. March 31, 2024.
114. Web site: Howard Schnellenberger - Football Coach. fausports.com. March 31, 2024.
115. Web site: Rick Stockstill - Football Coach. goblueraiders.com. March 31, 2024.
116. Web site: Joey Jones - Football Coach. usajaguars.com. April 1, 2024.
117. Web site: Fritz Voted 2014 Sun Belt Conference Coach of the Year. gseagles.com. December 10, 2014. April 1, 2024.
118. Web site: Trent Miles - Head Coach Football. georgiastatesports.com. April 1, 2024.
119. Web site: Paul Petrino - Football Head Coach. govandals.com. April 1, 2024.
120. Web site: Billy Napier - Football Coach. ragincajuns.com. April 1, 2024.
121. Web site: Jamey Chadwell - Football Coach. goccusports.com. April 2, 2024.
122. Web site: Sun Belt Coach of the Year Winners. sports-reference.com. March 31, 2024.
123. Web site: Raynor Tabbed SBC Freshman of the Year; Bayer and Przstup Headline Nine A-State Players Named All-Sun Belt. astateredwolves.com. November 30, 2023. May 19, 2024.