UGA Football: Dan Lanning Named Broyles Award Finalist Again

ATHENS, Ga. — Georgia Fain & Billy Slaughter Defensive Coordinator/outside linebackers coach Dan Lanning has been named one of five finalists for the 2021 Broyles Award, making him a finalist for the second time in three years.

The four other finalists for the Broyles Award, which is presented to college football’s assistant coach of the year, are Baylor offensive coordinator/tight ends coach Jeff Grimes, Oklahoma State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, Michigan offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach Josh Gattis and Wake Forest offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Warren Ruggiero.

Lanning was also a finalist in 2019.  Bulldog head coach Kirby Smart won the 2009 honor and was a finalist in 2015 while at Alabama.

The five finalists are invited to travel to Little Rock, Ark., on Dec. 6-7 where the 2021 Broyles Award winner will be announced.

In his third year as defensive coordinator and fourth overall with the Bulldogs, Lanning has established Georgia’s defense as one of the nation’s best year in and year out.  The Bulldogs lead the country in Scoring Defense (6.9 points/game), Total Defense (230.6 yards/game) and Red Zone Defense (54.5 percent), are second in Passing Yards Allowed (151.6 y/g) and are third in Rushing Defense (79.0 y/g).  The Bulldogs have allowed an FBS best 83 points in 2021.

Georgia is on the verge of setting several all-time UGA marks.  The school record for fewest average points allowed in a season with 12 or more games is 12.6 in 2019.  The fewest points allowed in a season with 12 or more games is 176 also in 2019.  The defense has posted three shutouts this year, including two in Southeastern Conference play.

The No. 1 Bulldogs (12-0, 8-0 SEC) face No. 4 Alabama (11-1, 7-1 SEC) in the SEC Championship Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Saturday.  CBS will televise the matchup at 4 p.m.