University of Houston Athletics
Sumlin Receives C-USA SAAC Coaches Choice Award
8/22/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 22, 2010
Houston head football coach Kevin Sumlin has been selected as the 2009-10 Conference USA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Coaches Choice Award winner. He was presented his award at tonight's "Shasta Blast" that is held annually for UH's 400-plus student-athletes and coaches.
Sumlin is set to begin his third season at Houston. In his first two years, he has compiled an 18-9 record with a West Division title in 2009 and back-to-back bowl appearances. Sumlin was named the 2009 Conference USA Coach of the Year in a vote conducted by the league's head coaches and was a finalist for the Paul "Bear" Bryant National Coach of the Year award.
In 2009, Sumlin led UH to non-conference wins over No. 5 Oklahoma State, Texas Tech and Mississippi State en route to a 4-0 non-conference record. Statistically, the University of Houston led the nation in passing offense (433.71 ypg), total offense (563.36 ypg) and scoring offense (42.21 ppg). The high-powered Cougar offense topped 40 points in nine of 14 games, reached 50 points on four occasions and registered at least 70 points in a game for the second straight season.
Sumlin guided quarterback Case Keenum to 2009 Conference USA MVP honors, and Keenum not only led the nation in total offense for the second straight season, but he also finished eighth in the Heisman Trophy voting. In addition, wide receiver James Cleveland was named the C-USA Newcomer of the Year, while running back Charles Sims was named the Freshman of the Year. In addition to the individual award winners, 15 Cougars were also named to either the C-USA All-Conference first or second teams.
Prior to becoming head coach at Houston, Sumlin spent the previous five seasons at the University of Oklahoma, where he served as both the co-offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach (2006-07) and special teams coordinator/tight ends coach (2003-05). Sumlin also has made stops at Texas A&M, Purdue (his alma mater), Minnesota and Wyoming.
The SAAC Coaches Choice Award recognizes a coach that is committed to fostering student-athlete development and welfare through a positive athletic and academic atmosphere. Each C-USA institution selects a nominee and then voting is done by the conference SAAC representatives during its annual in-person meeting.
Sumlin's nomination was submitted by Houston senior golfer Clark Mitzner, who served as Chair of the Conference USA SAAC representatives during the 2009-10 season.
