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

SeasonPlayerTeam
2001Wes CountsQBMiddle Tennessee[1] [2]
2002Brandon KennedyDTNorth Texas[3] [4] [5] [6]
2003Brandon Kennedy (2)DTNorth Texas[7] [8]
2004Jamario ThomasRBNorth Texas[9] [10] [11]
2005Steven JylesQBUL Monroe[12] [13] [14]
2006Omar HaugabookQBTroy[15] [16] [17]
2007Rusty SmithQBFlorida Atlantic[18] [19] [20] [21]
2008Tyrell FenroyRBUL Lafayette[22] [23] [24]
2009Levi BrownQBTroy[25] [26]
2010T. Y. HiltonWRFIU[27] [28]
2011Ryan AplinQBArkansas State[29] [30] [31]
2012Ryan Aplin (2)QBArkansas State[32] [33] [34]
2013Antonio AndrewsRBWestern Kentucky[35] [36] [37]
2014Elijah McGuireRBUL Lafayette[38] [39] [40] [41]
2015Nick ArbuckleQBGeorgia State[42] [43] [44] [45] [46]
2016Ja'Von Rolland-JonesDEArkansas State[47] [48] [49] [50] [51]
2017Ja'Von Rolland-Jones (2)DEArkansas State[52] [53] [54] [55]
2018Justice HansenQBArkansas State[56] [57] [58]
2019Omar BaylessWRArkansas State[59] [60] [61] [62]
2020Grayson McCallQBCoastal Carolina[63] [64] [65] [66]
2021Grayson McCall (2)QBCoastal Carolina[67] [68] [69]
2022Grayson McCall (3)QBCoastal Carolina[70] [71] [72]
2023Jordan McCloudQBJames Madison[73] [74] [75]
Source:[76]

Offensive Player of the Year

SeasonPlayerTeam
2001Dwone HicksRBMiddle Tennessee[77]
2002Danny SmithRBArkansas State
2003Patrick CobbsRBNorth Texas
2004Jamario ThomasRBNorth Texas
2005Steven JylesQBUL Monroe
2006Omar HaugabookQBTroy
2007Omar Haugabook (2)QBTroy
2008Michael DesormeauxQBUL Lafayette
2009Levi BrownQBTroy
2010Bobby RaineyRBWestern Kentucky[78] [79]
2011Bobby Rainey (2)RBWestern Kentucky
2012Kolton BrowningQBUL Monroe[80]
2013Antonio AndrewsRBWestern Kentucky
2014Elijah McGuireRBUL Lafayette
2015Larry Rose IIIRBNew Mexico State[81] [82]
2016Jalin MooreRBAppalachian State[83] [84]
2017Justice HansenQBArkansas State[85]
2018Zac ThomasQBAppalachian State[86]
2019Darrynton EvansRBAppalachian State[87] [88]
2020Jonathan AdamsWRArkansas State
2021Jalen TolbertWRSouth Alabama[89]
2022Todd CenteioQBJames Madison[90]
2023Kimani VidalRBTroy[91]
Source:[92]

Defensive Player of the Year

SeasonPlayerTeam
2001Brad KassellLBNorth Texas[93]
2002Brandon KennedyDTNorth Texas
2003Chris HurdLBNorth Texas
2004DeMarcus WareDETroy State[94]
2005Jeff LittlejohnDTMiddle Tennessee[95]
2006Keyonvis BouieLBFIU
2007Tyrell JohnsonSArkansas State[96]
2008Alex CarringtonDEArkansas State[97]
2009Cardia JacksonLBUL Monroe[98]
Chris McCoyDEMiddle Tennessee
2010Jamari LattimoreDEMiddle Tennessee[99]
2011Brandon JoinerDEArkansas State[100]
2012Quanterus SmithDEWestern Kentucky[101] [102]
2013Xavius BoydLBWestern Kentucky
2014David MayoLBTexas State[103] [104]
2015Ronald BlairDEAppalachian State[105]
2016Rashad DillardDETroy
2017Jeremy ReavesSSouth Alabama
2018Ronheen BinghamDEArkansas State
2019Akeem Davis-GaitherLBAppalachian State[106] [107]
2020Tarron JacksonDECoastal Carolina[108]
2021D'Marco JacksonLBAppalachian State[109]
2022Carlton MartialLBTroy
2023Jalen GreenDEJames Madison[110]
Source:[111]

Coach of the Year

SeasonCoachTeam
2001Darrell DickeyNorth Texas
2002Darrell Dickey (2)North Texas
2003Darrell Dickey (3)North Texas
2004Darrell Dickey (4)North Texas
2005Steve RobertsArkansas State[112] [113]
2006Rick StockstillMiddle Tennessee
2007Howard SchnellenbergerFlorida Atlantic[114]
2008Larry BlakeneyTroy
2009Larry Blakeney (2)Troy[115]
Rick StockstillMiddle Tennessee
2010Mario CristobalFIU
2011Hugh FreezeArkansas State
2012Todd BerryUL Monroe
2013Joey JonesSouth Alabama[116]
2014Willie FritzGeorgia Southern[117]
2015Trent MilesGeorgia State[118]
2016Paul PetrinoIdaho[119]
2017Neal BrownTroy
2018Scott SatterfieldAppalachian State
2019Billy NapierLouisiana[120]
2020Jamey ChadwellCoastal Carolina[121]
2021Billy Napier (2)Louisiana
2022Jon SumrallTroy
2023Curt CignettiJames Madison
Source:[122]

Freshman of the Year

SeasonPlayerTeam
2001Ja'Mal BranchWRNorth Texas
2002Paul DombrowskiQBNew Mexico State
2003Kevin PayneRBUL Monroe
2004Jamario ThomasRBNorth Texas
2005Tyrell FenroyRBUL Lafayette
2006Reggie ArnoldRBArkansas State
2007Giovanni VizzaQBNorth Texas
2008T. Y. HiltonWRFIU
2009Shawn SouthwardRBTroy
2010Corey RobinsonQBTroy
2011
2012J. D. McKissicWRArkansas State
2013Elijah McGuireRBLouisiana
2014Taylor LambQBAppalachian State
2015Penny HartWRGeorgia State
2016Clifton DuckCBAppalachian State
2017Marcus JonesCBTroy
2018Marcel MurrayRBArkansas State
2019Layne HatcherQBArkansas State
2020Grayson McCallQBCoastal Carolina
2021Montrel Johnson Jr.RBLouisiana
2022Jared BrownWRCoastal Carolina
2023Jaylen RaynorQBArkansas State[123]

Newcomer of the Year

SeasonPlayerTeam
2001Kevin GalbreathRBNorth Texas
2002Jonathan BurkeCBArkansas State
2003Aubrey DorismeDENew Mexico State
2004Dylan LineberryGNorth Texas
2005Aaron WeathersSNorth Texas
2006Omar HaugabookQBTroy
2007Chris BradwellDTTroy
2008Levi BrownQBTroy
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016Aikeem ColemanDEIdaho
2017Ron LaForceSNew Mexico State
2018Kirk MerrittWRArkansas State
2019Kaylon GeigerWRTroy
2020D'Jordan StrongCBCoastal Carolina
2021Chase BriceQBAppalachian State
2022Todd CenteioQBJames Madison
2023Joey AguilarQBAppalachian 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.