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Mid-American Conference football individual awards

Annual college football awards

Mid-American Conference football individual awards

Annual college football awards

The Mid-American Conference football awards are given annually by the Mid-American Conference (MAC) at the conclusion of each college football season. The conference gives out a total of five awards, the Offensive, Defensive, and Freshman Players of the Year, the Coach of the Year, and the Vern Smith Leadership Award, which is given to the league's MVP in that season. The Vern Smith Award is selected by a vote of the coaches in the MAC while the remaining awards are selected by the MAC News Media Association.

Offensive Player of the Year

Byron Leftwich is one of the few multiple award winners. He earned a Super Bowl ring with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2009.
Nate Davis led the Ball State Cardinals to an undefeated regular season in 2008, earning him the award in that year.

Winners

SeasonPlayerPosTeamRef
1965RBKent State
1966Bruce MatteQBMiami (OH)
1967John SchneiderQBToledo
1968QBOhio
1969QBToledo
1970Chuck Ealey (2)QBToledo
1971Chuck Ealey (3)QBToledo
1972RBMiami (OH)
1973RBBowling Green
1974QBToledo
1975Gene Swick (2)QBToledo
1976Jerome PersellRBWestern Michigan
1977Jerome Persell (2)RBWestern Michigan
1978Jerome Persell (3)RBWestern Michigan
WRNorthern Illinois
1979QBCentral Michigan
1980Mark O'ConnellQBBall State
1981Sam ShonQBOhio
1982RBCentral Michigan
1983QBBowling Green
1984Brian McClure (2)QBBowling Green
1985Brian McClure (3)QBBowling Green
1986Terry MorrisQBMiami (OH)
1987RBKent State
1988QBWestern Michigan
1989QBBall State
1990Jeff BenderQBCentral Michigan
1991QBBowling Green
1992Erik White (2)QBBowling Green
1993QBBall State
1994Brian PruittRBCentral Michigan
1995Wasean TaitRBToledo
1996Kareem WilsonQBOhio
1997WRMarshall
1998RBMiami (OH)
1999QBMarshall
2000Robert SanfordRBWestern Michigan
2001QBMarshall
2002Byron Leftwich (2)QBMarshall
2003QBMiami (OH)
2004QBBowling Green
2005WRWestern Michigan
2006RBNorthern Illinois
2007QBCentral Michigan
2008QBBall State
2009Dan LeFevour (2)QBCentral Michigan
2010RBNorthern Illinois
2011QBNorthern Illinois
2012QBNorthern Illinois
2013Jordan Lynch (2)QBNorthern Illinois
2014Jarvion FranklinRBWestern Michigan
2015QBBowling Green
2016WRWestern Michigan
2017QBToledo
2018QBBuffalo
2019RBWestern Michigan
2020RBBuffalo
2021RBCentral Michigan
2022QBOhio
2023RBToledo
2024TEBowling Green
2025QBWestern Michigan

Source:

Winners by school

SchoolWinsSeasonsWestern Michigan Broncos}}Western MichiganBowling Green Falcons}}Bowling GreenToledo Rockets}}ToledoNorthern Illinois Huskies}}Northern IllinoisCentral Michigan Chippewas}}Central MichiganMiami RedHawks}}Miami (OH)Ball State Cardinals}}Ball StateMarshall Thundering Herd}}MarshallOhio Bobcats}}OhioKent State Golden Flashes}}Kent StateBuffalo Bulls}}Buffalo
101976, 1977, 1978, 1988, 2000, 2005, 2014, 2016, 2019, 2025
91973, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1991, 1992, 2004, 2015, 2024
91967, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1974, 1975, 1995, 2017, 2023
71978, 2006, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2021
61979, 1982, 1990, 1994, 2007, 2009
51966, 1972, 1986, 1998, 2003
41980, 1989, 1993, 2008
41997, 1999, 2001, 2002
41968, 1981, 1996, 2022
31965, 1987, 2021
22018, 2020

Defensive Player of the Year

Larry English won the award in 2008. He also won the Vern Smith award in that same year.

Winners

SeasonPlayerPosTeamRef
1965DTWestern Michigan
1966Bob Rowe (2)DTWestern Michigan
1967DTToledo
1968LBMiami (OH)
1969DTBowling Green
1970DBMiami (OH)
DEBowling Green
1971DTToledo
1972LBKent State
1973DTMiami (OH)
1974Brad Cousino (2)DTMiami (OH)
1975SBall State
1976Aaron BivinsLBToledo
1977Jack GlowikDTMiami (OH)
1978DTBall State
1979Frank LewandowskiLBNorthern Illinois
1980Kent McCormickLBMiami (OH)
Mike TerraLBNorthern Illinois
1981John ZupancicLBMiami (OH)
1982LBCentral Michigan
1983DTMiami (OH)
1984Mark BrandonCBToledo
1985LBWestern Michigan
1986DTWestern Michigan
1987Greg GarnicaLBBall State
1988Greg Garnica (2)LBBall State
1989Greg Garnica (3)LBBall State
1990Sean MulhearnLBWestern Michigan
1991Curt McMillanLBMiami (OH)
1992Curt McMillan (2)LBMiami (OH)
1993Vince PalkoLBBowling Green
1994Vince Palko (2)LBBowling Green
1995Johnnie WilliamsSMiami (OH)
1996PBall State
1997LBMiami (OH)
1998JoJuan Armour (2)LBMiami (OH)
1999LBMiami (OH)
2000SAkron
2001LBMarshall
2002DEWestern Michigan
2003Jason Babin (2)DEWestern Michigan
2004DEMarshall
2005DECentral Michigan
2006Ameer IsmailLBWestern Michigan
2007Clayton MullinsLBMiami (OH)
2008DENorthern Illinois
2009DETemple
2010DEKent State
2011DTWestern Michigan
2012DTBowling Green
2013LBBuffalo
2014CBMiami (OH)
2015LBAkron
2016DEOhio
2017DENorthern Illinois
2018Sutton Smith (2)DENorthern Illinois
2019Treshaun HaywardLBWestern Michigan
2020LBCentral Michigan
Brandon MartinLBBall State
2021DEWestern Michigan
2022DEEastern Michigan
2023Matt SalopekLBMiami (OH)
2024LBBuffalo
2025DEWestern Michigan

Source:

Winners by school

SchoolWinsSeasonsMiami RedHawks}}Miami (OH)Western Michigan Broncos}}Western MichiganBall State Cardinals}}Ball StateBowling Green Falcons}}Bowling GreenNorthern Illinois Huskies}}Northern IllinoisToledo Rockets}}ToledoCentral Michigan Chippewas}}Central MichiganAkron Zips}}AkronBuffalo Bulls}}BuffaloKent State Golden Flashes}}Kent StateMarshall Thundering Herd}}MarshallOhio Bobcats}}OhioTemple Owls}}TempleEastern Michigan Eagles}}Eastern Michigan
171968, 1970, 1973, 1974, 1977, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1991, 1992, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2007, 2014, 2023
121965, 1966, 1985, 1986, 1990, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2011, 2019, 2021, 2025
71975, 1978, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1996, 2020
51969, 1970, 1993, 1994, 2012
51979, 1980, 2008, 2017, 2018
41967, 1971, 1976, 1984
31982, 2005, 2020
22000, 2005
22013, 2024
21972, 2010
22001, 2004
12016
12009
12022

Special Teams Player of the Year

Dave Zastudil is one of two two-time award winners. He shared the award with the other two-time winner, Steve Azar.
Justin McCareins, shown here playing for the Tennessee Titans, is one of three Northern Illinois players to win the award.
Scott Secor, 2014 Special Teams Player of the Year award winner.

Winners

SeasonPlayerPosTeamRef
1998Brad SelentKWestern Michigan
1999POhio
2000RSNorthern Illinois
2001Dave Zastudil (2)POhio
Steve AzarKNorthern Illinois
2002Dan SheldonRSNorthern Illinois
2003Steve Azar (2)KNorthern Illinois
2004RSMiami (OH)
2005Jason RobbinsKToledo
2006Brian JacksonKBall State
2007PToledo
2008RSCentral Michigan
2009Antonio Brown (2)RSCentral Michigan
2010RSToledo
2011Matt WellerKOhio
2012RSKent State
2013Jeremiah DetmerKToledo
2014KBall State
2015Aregeros TurnerRSNorthern Illinois
2016RSWestern Michigan
2017Darius Phillips (2)RSWestern Michigan
2018RSToledo
2019Matthew TrickettKKent State
2020RSWestern Michigan
2021Khalil PimpletonRSCentral Michigan
2022Alex McNultyKBuffalo
2023KMiami (OH)
2024Malcolm GillieRSBall State
2025Da’Realyst ClarkRSKent State

Source:

Winners by school

SchoolWinsYearsNorthern Illinois Huskies}}Northern IllinoisToledo Rockets}}ToledoWestern Michigan Broncos}}Western MichiganBall State Cardinals}}Ball StateCentral Michigan Chippewas}}Central MichiganKent State Golden Flashes}}Kent StateOhio Bobcats}}OhioMiami RedHawks}}Miami (OH)Buffalo Bulls}}Buffalo
52000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2015
52005, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2018
41998, 2016, 2017, 2020
32006, 2014, 2024
32008, 2009, 2021
32012, 2019, 2025
31999, 2001, 2011
22004, 2023
12022

Freshman Player of the Year

Tim Hiller, the 2005 winner, was one of NFL.com's Top 5 senior quarterback prospects in 2009.

The Freshman Player of the Year award was first given by the MAC after the 1982 football season. That year's winner, Brian McClure, won a slew of MAC accords, including Offensive Player of the Year three times, and the Vern Smith award twice. Western Michigan is the team with the most awards, with ten award winners.

Winners

SeasonPlayerPosTeamRef
1982QBBowling Green
1983Kelly SpielmakerTEWestern Michigan
1984Pete GenatempoQBNorthern Illinois
1985Marshall TaylorQBNorthern Illinois
1986Patrick YoungQBKent State
1987RBBall State
1988Jeff BenderQBCentral Michigan
1989Brad TaylesQBWestern Michigan
1990Troy ParkerRBToledo
1991Morrey NorrisLBKent State
1992RBMiami (OH)
1993RBBall State
1994Astron WhatleyRBKent State
1995Silas Massey IIIRBCentral Michigan
1996QBEastern Michigan
QBWestern Michigan
1997Robert SanfordRBWestern Michigan
1998Kurt GerlingWRBowling Green
1999Brandon PayneRBAkron
2000Talmadge HillQBBall State
2001QBMiami (OH)
2002Aaron LeeperRBBuffalo
2003Jerry SeymourRBCentral Michigan
2004Adell GivensRBBall State
2005QBWestern Michigan
2006QBCentral Michigan
2007WR/RSCentral Michigan
2008SBall State
2009RBTemple
2010DEKent State
2011Anthon SamuelRBBowling Green
2012Jamie WilsonWRWestern Michigan
2013WRWestern Michigan
2014Jarvion FranklinRBWestern Michigan
2015Jamauri BoganRBWestern Michigan
2016SOhio
2017Marcus ChildersQBNorthern Illinois
2018RBBuffalo
2019QBMiami (OH)
2020RBCentral Michigan
2021Jay DuckerRBNorthern Illinois
2022Sieh BanguraRBOhio
2023Jalen BuckleyRBWestern Michigan
2024Kadin SemonzaQBBall State
2025Cameron PettawayRBBowling Green

Source:

Winners by school

SchoolWinsSeasonsWestern Michigan Broncos}}Western MichiganBall State Cardinals}}Ball StateCentral Michigan Chippewas}}Central MichiganBowling Green Falcons}}Bowling GreenKent State Golden Flashes}}Kent StateMiami RedHawks}}Miami (OH)Northern Illinois Huskies}}Northern IllinoisBuffalo Bulls}}BuffaloOhio Bobcats}}OhioAkron Zips}}AkronEastern Michigan Eagles}}Eastern MichiganTemple Owls}}TempleToledo Rockets}}Toledo
101983, 1989, 1996, 1997, 2005, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2023
61987, 1993, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2024
61988, 1995, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2020
41982, 1998, 2011, 2025
41986, 1991, 1994, 2010
31992, 2001, 2019
21984, 1985, 2017
22002, 2018
22016, 2022
11999
11996
12009
11990

Vern Smith Leadership Award

Brad Maynard is the only special teams player to win the award.
Garrett Wolfe won the award in 2006 after setting many MAC rushing records.

The Vern Smith Leadership Award was started in 1982 by the Downtown Toledo Athletic Club. In that year, it was known as the Jefferson Award and the name was changed to honor the University of Toledo Athletic Director Vern Smith in 1987. The award is given to the top football player in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). Only four players have won the award multiple times, Larry English being the only non-quarterback to win it twice. In 1996, Brad Maynard won the award, and is the only special teams player to win the award as of the end of the 2025 season. The Northern Illinois Huskies leads with seven awards all-time. The Vern Smith award is the only one voted on by the coaches, with the Coach of the Year, as well as the Players of the Year are selected by the media.

Winners

Source:

Winners by school

SchoolWinsSeasonsNorthern Illinois Huskies}}Northern IllinoisBowling Green Falcons}}Bowling GreenToledo Rockets}}ToledoWestern Michigan Broncos}}Western MichiganCentral Michigan Chippewas}}Central MichiganMarshall Thundering Herd}}MarshallBall State Cardinals}}Ball StateMiami RedHawks}}Miami (OH)Kent State Golden Flashes}}Kent StateBuffalo Bulls}}BuffaloAkron Zips}}AkronOhio Bobcats}}Ohio
91983, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2018
61984, 1985, 1991, 1992, 2015, 2024
51995, 2005, 2014, 2017, 2023
51988, 2000, 2005, 2016, 2025
41982, 1990, 1994, 2009
41997, 1999, 2001, 2002
31989, 1993, 1996
31986, 1998, 2003
21987, 2021
12020
12004
12022

Coach of the Year

Urban Meyer won the award in 2001 with Bowling Green, before coaching at Utah, Florida and Ohio State.

The MAC has awarded a Coach of the Year award every year since 1965. The first award went to Bo Schembechler of Miami University. Only one coach has won the award more than twice, with Frank Lauterbur winning the award in 1967, 1969, and 1970. Only two coaches have won the award beyond their tenth year of coaching. Bill Hess won the award in 1968 in his 11th year of coaching the Ohio Bobcats and Herb Deromedi won the award in 1990, his 13th year of coaching Central Michigan. Also, only one coach, Bill Mallory, has won the award coaching two separate teams. He first earned the award in 1973 while coaching Miami University, and then won ten years later giving Northern Illinois their first Coach of the Year award. Toledo leads all schools with nine awards. Temple won their first award in 2009 when head coach Al Golden won his first MAC Coach of the Year award.

Winners

Source:

Coach (X)Denotes the number of times the coach has been selected
SeasonCoachSchoolYear with schoolRecord
1965Miami3rd7–3 (5–1)
1966Western Michigan3rd7–3 (5–1)
1967Toledo5th9–1 (5–1)
1968Ohio11th10–1 (6–0)
1969(2)Toledo7th11–0 (5–0)
1970(3)Toledo8th12–0 (5–0)
1971Toledo1st12–0 (5–0)
1972Kent State1st6–5 (4–1)
1973Miami5th11–0 (5–0)
1974Miami1st10–0–1 (5–0)
1975Ball State1st9–2 (4–2)
1976Western Michigan2nd7–4 (6–3)
1977Eastern Michigan2nd8–3 (4–3)
1978Ball State1st10–1 (8–0)
1979Toledo3rd7–3–1 (7–1–1)
1980Central Michigan3rd9–2 (7–2)
1981(2)Toledo5th9–3 (8–1)
1982Bowling Green6th7–5 (7–2)
1983(2)Northern Illinois3rd10–2 (8–1)
1984Toledo3rd9–2–1 (7–1–1)
1985(2)Bowling Green9th11–1 (9–0)
1986Kent State1st5–6 (5–3)
1987Eastern Michigan5th10–2 (7–1)
1988Western Michigan2nd9–3 (7–1)
1989Ball State5th7–3–2 (6–1–1)
1990(2)Central Michigan13th8–3–1 (7–1)
1991Bowling Green1st11–1 (8–0)
1992(2)Bowling Green2nd10–2 (8–0)
1993(2)Ball State9th8–3–1 (7–0–1)
1994Central Michigan1st9–3 (8–1)
1995Toledo5th11–0–1 (7–0–1)
1996Ohio2nd6–6 (5–3)
1997(2)Toledo7th9–3 (7–1)
1998Marshall2nd12–1 (7–1)
1999(2)Marshall3rd13–0 (8–0)
2000Western Michigan4th9–3 (7–1)
2001Bowling Green1st8–3 (5–3)
2002Northern Illinois6th8–4 (7–1)
2003Miami5th13–1 (8–0)
2004Akron1st6–5 (6–2)
2005Western Michigan1st7–4 (5–3)
2006Ohio2nd9–5 (7–1)
2007Buffalo2nd5–7 (5–3)
2008Ball State6th12–2 (8–0)
2009Temple3rd9–3 (7–1)
2010Miami2nd9–4 (8–1)
2011Eastern Michigan3rd6–6 (4–4)
2012Kent State2nd11–3 (8–0)
2013Northern Illinois1st12–1 (8–0)
2014Western Michigan2nd8–5 (6–2)
2015Toledo5th9–2 (6–2)
2016(2)Western Michigan4th13–1 (8–0)
2017Toledo2nd11–3 (7–1)
2018Buffalo4th10–4 (7–1)
2019Central Michigan1st8–6 (6–2)
2020(2)Buffalo6th6–1 (5–0)
2021Northern Illinois3rd9–5 (6–2)
2022Ohio2nd10–4 (7–1)
2023(2)Toledo8th11–3 (8–0)
2024(2)Ohio4th11–3 (7–1)
2025Western Michigan3rd8–4 (7–1)

Winners by school

School (First season)WinsYears
Toledo (1952)111967, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1979, 1871, 1984, 1995, 1997, 2015, 2017, 2023
Western Michigan (1948)81966, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2005, 2014, 2016, 2025
Central Michigan (1975)61980, 1990, 1994, 1977, 1987, 2019
Miami (1948)51965, 1973, 1974, 2003, 2010
Ball State (1975)51975, 1978, 1989, 1993, 2008
Bowling Green (1952)51982, 1985, 1991, 1991, 2001
Ohio (1947)51968, 1996, 2006, 2022, 2024
Northern Illinois (1975)41983, 2002, 2013, 2021
Eastern Michigan (1976)31977, 1987, 2011
Kent State (1951)31972, 1986, 2012
Buffalo (1999)32007, 2018. 2020
Marshall (1954)21988, 1999
Akron (1992)12004
Temple (2007)12009
Butler (1947)0
Cincinnati (1947)0
Central Florida (2002)0
UMass (2011)0

References

References

  1. "Phil Villapiano (1976) - Hall of Fame". Bowling Green Falcons athletics.
  2. (November 30, 1999). "Miami's Dustin Cohen Named MAC's Defensive Player of the Year". Miami RedHawks athletics.
  3. "MAC Announces 2024 Postseason Football Awards & All-Conference Teams".
  4. (2009-07-21). "Vern Smith Leadership Award". Mid-American Conference.
  5. (2009-07-21). "MAC Coaches of the Year". Mid-American Conference.
  6. (2009-07-21). "All-Time MAC Coaching Records". Mid-American Conference.
  7. (2 December 2009). "MAC Announces 2009 Post Season Awards". Mid-American Conference.
  8. (December 2, 2003). "Three MAC Football Specialty Awards Handed Out". Mid-American Conference.
  9. (November 30, 2004). "MAC Announces 2004 Individual Football Awards". Mid-American Conference.
  10. (November 28, 2005). "All-MAC Football Awards Announced". Mid-American Conference.
  11. (November 27, 2006). "All-MAC Football Team and Individual Award Winners Announced". Mid-American Conference.
  12. (November 27, 2007). "MAC Announces 2007 Football Awards". Mid-American Conference.
  13. (December 3, 2008). "MAC Announces Football Post Season Awards". Mid-American Conference.
  14. (December 1, 2010). "MAC Announces 2010 Football Post Season Awards". Mid-American Conference.
  15. (November 30, 2011). "MAC Names 2011 All-MAC Teams & Post Season Awards". Mid-American Conference.
  16. (November 28, 2012). "MAC Announces 2012 Football Postseason Awards". Mid-American Conference.
  17. (December 4, 2013). "MAC Announces 2013 All-MAC Teams & Postseason Awards". Mid-American Conference.
  18. (December 3, 2014). "MAC Announces 2014 All-MAC Teams & Postseason Football Awards". Mid-American Conference.
  19. (December 2, 2015). "MAC Announces 2015 All-MAC Football Teams and Post Season Awards". Mid-American Conference.
  20. (November 30, 2016). "MAC Announces 2016 All-MAC Teams and Postseason Awards". Mid-American Conference.
  21. (November 29, 2017). "MAC Announces 2017 Postseason Football Awards". Mid-American Conference.
  22. (November 28, 2018). "MAC Announces 2018 All-MAC First, Second, Third Teams and Postseason Awards". Mid-American Conference.
  23. (December 4, 2019). "MAC Announces 2019 All-MAC Teams & Postseason Awards". Mid-American Conference.
  24. (December 14, 2020). "MAC Announces 2020 Football All-MAC and Specialty Awards". Mid-American Conference.
  25. (December 1, 2021). "MAC Announces 2021 Postseason Football Awards & All-MAC Teams". Mid-American Conference.
  26. (November 29, 2022). "MAC Announces 2022 Postseason Football Awards & All-Conference Teams". Mid-American Conference.
  27. (December 4, 2023). "MAC Announces 2023 Postseason Football Awards & All-Conference Teams". Mid-American Conference.
  28. (December 4, 2024). "MAC Announces 2024 Postseason Football Awards & All-Conference Teams". Mid-American Conference.
  29. (December 4, 2025). "MAC Announces 2025 Postseason Football Awards & All-Conference Teams". Mid-American Conference.
  30. "History and Records". Mid-American Conference.
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