FootballScoop is proud to announce that Lyle Hemphill is the 2015 FootballScoop FCS Coordinator of the Year presented by ProGrass.
Stony Brook fielded FCS's top defense in 2015 -- leading the subdivision in both total defense (250.1 yards per game allowed) and 4.10 yards per play allowed. In fact, the Seawolves' 250-yard average was 17 ahead of the next best FCS outfit and was good enough to lead all of Division I.
Hemphill's unit allowed only 18 touchdowns over their 10-game season, tied for the third-fewest in FCS, and its 15.7 scoring average was in the top five nationally. Nine of Stony Brook's 10 opponents were held below 24 points and half scored less than 10 points.
The Seawolves defended 353 rushes and permitted only 1,046 yards and 10 touchdowns -- their 104.6 rushing defense average was 11th nationally, and their 2.96 yards per carry figure was in the top 10.
Stony Brook was also excellent against the pass, ranking fifth in FCS by permitting only 142 completions on 257 attempts (55.3 percent) for 1,455 yards (a scant 5.66 yards per attempt) for 1,455 yards with eight touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Beyond their strict yardage numbers, Stony Brook was excellent in the red zone (64 percent conversions, seventh in FCS), on third downs (32.1 percent, 14th), in creating sacks (4.1 per game, second), in creating negative plays (8.3 TFL per game, ninth), and in limiting first downs (14.5 per game, second)
Individually, defensive end Victor Ochi was named a First Team All-American in addition to winning the Colonial Athletic Association's Defensive Player of the Year award by the league's coaches. Defensive lineman Aaron Thompson earned a spot on the All-CAA second team, and linebacker Tyrice Beverette garnered a spot on the third team.
Hemphill recently completed his third season as Stony Brook's defensive coordinator and safeties coach. Prior to that he spent two years as the Seawolves' defensive backs coach. Hemphill has also coached defensive backs at Delaware Valley (2002-04), Delaware (2004-05), Hofstra (2006-09) and Delaware again in 2010. He is a 2002 graduate of Ursinus College in Pennsylvania.
The FootballScoop Coaches of the Year awards presented by ProGrass are the only set of awards that recognize the most outstanding position coaches in college football. The finalists (Tony Pecoraro [Alcorn State], Brett Elliott and Zak Kuhr [James Madison], Don Dobes [Dartmouth], Scott Larkee [Harvard], Lance Guidry [McNeese State], David Blackwell and Brandon Hall [Jacksonville State], Phil Longo [Sam Houston State] and Hemphill) were selected based off of nominations by coaches, athletic directors, and athletic department personnel. The prior winners selected this year's winner.
Hemphill will be recognized at an event at the AFCA Convention next week.
Previous winners of the FCS Coordinator of the Year award are Heishman Northern (Prairie View A&M, 2008), Bob Shoop (William & Mary, 2009), Nick Rapone (Delaware, 2010), Scott Stoker (Sam Houston State, 2011), Chris Klieman (North Dakota State, 2012), Sterlin Gilbert (Eastern Illinois, 2013) and Don Bailey (Idaho State, 2014).
ProGrass LLC, headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has established itself as one of the preeminent names in the synthetic turf industry. ProGrass installations can be located from Connecticut to California. The ProGrass product has been received as "One of the Best Products on the Market" by many customers who have spent years evaluating this industry. The reason is simple: we know the industry and have developed the TEAM, the products and processes that exceed the expectations of our demanding and knowledgeable customers. We don’t just sell turf, we know turf! For more information please visit: ProGrassTurf.com
Created in 1999, FootballScoop.com is the premier source for coaching job information and has long been the most widely viewed website by coaches, athletic directors, strength & conditioning coaches, operations and equipment staff across America. As the leading coaching job information venue, FootballScoop.com serves our viewers’ needs by providing first hand, timely & accurate information for our audience. FootballScoop.com is the premier provider of official job postings.