Jan. 16, 2001

Coral Gables, FL – University of Miami head football coach Butch Davis joins five other finalists Wednesday night for a banquet honoring the Paul “Bear” Bryant Award recognizing college football’s Coach of the Year for 2000. The award, given annually by the Houston Division of the American Heart Association to the nation’s top collegiate football coach, will be presented at the Westin Galleria in Houston.

The other finalists are Bobby Bowden (Florida State), Dennis Erickson (Oregon State), Dennis Franchione (Texas Christian), Lou Holtz (South Carolina) and Bob Stoops (Oklahoma).

The award is voted on by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association.

Davis, in his sixth season, guided the Hurricanes to an 11-1 record including victories over No. 1 Florida State and No. 2 Virginia Tech before Miami whipped Florida, 37-20, in the Nokia Sugar Bowl on January 2. Miami finished second in both major polls at the conclusion of the bowl games.