Running Backs COY
The 2008 FootballScoop Running Backs Coach of the Year powered by Muscle Milk® is awarded to Alabama assistant Burton Burns.
A group of highly productive running backs led by veteran coach Burton Burns helped lead Alabama to a 12-0 regular season. Give credit to Burton Burns for helping establish such a strong run game identity. Burns found a go-to player in Glen Coffee, developed depth with true freshman Mark Ingram, and created a solid rotation of backs to help Alabama win the SEC Western Division.
The Alabama running backs protected the football, ran extremely hard, played physical football, and stood strong in pass protection. Alabama allowed just 1.31 sacks per game in part due to the thorough understanding of the offense and toughness of the Crimson Tide running backs. It’s hard to imagine that Burns could have gotten much more out of his group than he did. These guys were productive from game 1 through the SEC championship game.
Junior running back Glen Coffee led the SEC in the regular season with 117.1 yards per game on the ground, finishing the regular season with 1347 yards. True freshman Mark Ingram played very well and finished the season averaging 54 yards per game. When reserve running back Roy Upchurch did play, he played well and was often praised by the staff.
Burton Burns was nominated by his peers and was selected by a panel of former coaches and players. Other finalists for the 2008 FootballScoop Running Backs Coach of the Year powered by Muscle Milk® were Curtis Luper (Oklahoma State) and Cale Gundy (Oklahoma).Burns will receive his award at the AFCA Convention in January and will receive a complimentary supply of various Muscle Milk® and CytoSport products.
Alabama Offense Key stats:
22nd nationally: Sacks allowed (1.31 per game) 23rd nationally: Rushing offense (196.4 yards per game) 30th nationally: Scoring offense (31.15 points per game)