Dec. 3, 2009

FooballScoop.com Wide Receiver Coach of the Year Finalists Release

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern assistant football coach Kevin Johns, who serves as the Wildcats' passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach, was named a finalist for the FootballScoop.com wide receiver coach of the year award. FootballScoop.com recognizes 15 different position coaches in college football.

Johns, who is in his sixth season as a full-time assistant at Northwestern, joins Central Michigan's Zach Azzanni and Duke's Scottie Montgomery as the finalists for this year's wide receiver coach of the year honor. Bobby Kennedy of Texas won the award in 2008.

"The FootballScoop set of awards is unique from other "Coach of the Year" awards in that there is no other outlet that focuses on position coaches and coordinators; whereas nearly every other "Coach of the Year" award is solely for a head coach," said Scott Roussel, president of FootballScoop. "Additionally, to be considered for our awards, a coach has to have been nominated by one of his peers."

After losing three veteran receivers in 2008 who had combined for 449 career catches and 5,350 career yards, Johns took a new group of wideouts and developed them into one of the nation's top units. Overall, Northwestern touts the 29th-best passing offense nationally (266.1 ypg) and its team completion percentage (.651) is tops in the Big Ten and among the nation's best.

In addition, the Wildcats rank 11th nationally in third-down conversion percentage (48.0 percent) and their 95 third-down conversions rank first among all FBS schools. A majority of the Wildcats' third-down conversion came via a clutch reception from an NU receiver.

NU's top wide receiver duo of Zeke Markshausen and Andrew Brewer combined for 128 receptions, 1,566 yards and 10 touchdowns. Markshausen, who finished with 79 receptions -- second among all Big Ten players, was named a second-team All-Big Ten receiver after entering his senior season with one career catch.

To read about the finalists, and to vote, please visit http://www.footballscoop.com. Voting will take place through Sunday, Dec. 13. Winners will be announced starting on Dec. 14.

A panel of current and former coaches along with past recipients of the awards will evaluate the finalists will select the winners. Votes will be considered; however the panel has final decision over the awards.