October 2010 President’s Column, Page 2 Inside this edition Vol. 48, No. 4 Nagurski Legend, Mike McCoy, Page 3 Coach of the Year Award move changes FWAA calendar slightly

With the FWAA/Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year sent to the member on the committee you choose in cor- announcement moved up a month to Dec. 6 at the Wal- respondence with the conference or school you cover. dorf Astoria Hotel in New York City, the FWAA Awards The FWAA Awards Calendar is listed on this page. season will be a little more crowded as the 2010 regular As has been the case for about two decades, the Out- season ends in early December. land Trophy winner will be announced on Dec. 9 during On Nov. 21 FWAA members will be receiving ballots the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show via e-mail with six to 10 finalists for the FWAA Coach of from Orlando, Florida. The FWAA All-America Team is d the Year Award. They will be asked to submit their final scheduled to be announced on Dec. 11 on ABC. ballots for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year by the following Saturday in order the winner to be determined. 2010-11 FWAA AWARDS CALENDAR The FWAA Awards season is just around the corner ● Nov. 8: All-America defense ballots sent to membership as teams move into the final third of their regular season ● Nov. 14: All-America defense selection committee call in November. The rest of the FWAA Awards Calendar ● Nov. 15: All-America offense/special teams ballots dis- should hold to the form of past years. tributed to membership ● Nov. 16: Eddie Robinson Award finalists announced FWAA members will receive initial defensive ballots ● Nov. 18: Bronko Nagurski Trophy finalists (5) announced on Nov. 8 to pick their top 11 defensive players by posi- ● Nov. 21: All-America offense/special teams selection tion in college football. They must complete those bal- committee call lots by Nov. 13-14 and send them to their representative. ● Nov. 21: Eddie Robinson Coach of Year Ballots sent to In addition, we will allow members to nominate a player membership for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (given each year to the ● Nov. 22: Outland Trophy finalists (3) announced best defensive player in college football.) ● Dec. 6: Bronko Nagurski Trophy announcement/ presen- The same process will be used the following week for tation (Charlotte, N.C.) the offensive side of the ball and special teams. A space ● Dec. 6: Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award an- nouncement/ presentation (New York City) on the offensive ballot will be left for members to vote for ● Dec. 9: Outland Trophy winner announcement (The the Outland Trophy winner (Best Interior Lineman in col- Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show) lege football on offense or defense). ● Dec. 11: FWAA All-America Team announced (ABC) The FWAA All-America Committee will meet twice by ● Jan. 3: Orange Bowl Courage Award on-field presenta- conference call to determine the 2010 team. The FWAA tion (Miami Gardens, Fla.) All-America Committee is listed online and can be ● Jan. 10: Freshman All-America Team announced reached by clicking on “Awards” at the top of the (Scottsdale, Ariz.) www.fwaa.com home page. Every conference in the ● Jan. 11: Grantland Rice Trophy announcement/ presen- Division I Bowl subdivision has a representative as do tation (Tentative, Scottsdale, Ariz.) ● Jan. 13: Outland Trophy banquet (Omaha, Neb.) the major independents. Each person’s ballot will be Page 2 THE FIFTH DOWN

President Tim Griffin

San Antonio Express-News President’s column First Vice President Tommy Hicks A change in gram. Joe and I are very disappointed

Mobile Press-Register philosophy by the and the fact they didn’t tell us until a cou-

Second Vice President Marriott Company ple of months after the fact.” Lenn Robbins is ending the VIP The FWAA has been a good partner

New York Post program for for Marriott over the years. All of the BCS FWAA members. bowls games now use Marriott properties Board of Directors John Davis I figure that I’ve for the media through our insistence. Oxford (Miss.) Eagle stayed in Marriott That deal has provided Marriott with an Heather Dinich properties for a inventory of thousands of hotel nights ESPN.com combined total of during that period over the years. Pete DiPrimio more than two Apparently, those figures don’t reso- Fort Wayne (Ind.) News- years in my life. nate with the hotel’s bean counters as Sentinel So, the Marriott much as we all would like. Chris Dufrense TIM VIP Card is some- Schroeder remains confident that Los Angeles Times thing I have held some kind of program will be worked out Ryan Finley GRIFFIN Arizona Daily Star close to my heart. with Marriott. He’s also open to hooking Pete Fiutak Almost every up with another hotel chain regardless of College Football News sportswriter who travels has a certain what happens with Marriott. Cory Giger amount of brand affinity. Marriott was The hotel discount is only a portion of Altoona Mirror able to seize upon that fact to become a an array of products that are provided Kevin Gorman leader in the field. As such, some mem- with FWAA membership. The member- Pittsburgh Tribune-Review bers considered acquiring a Marriott VIP ship to Rivals.com is worth more than Kate Hairopoulos Card as one of the most important perks the cost of yearly membership. There are Dallas Morning News of FWAA membership. also deals in place for preseason year- Mick McGrane Freelance Immediate Past FWAA president books, computer security devices, rental Rodney McKissic George Schroeder has overseen the cars and a clothing line among others. Buffalo News Marriott account for us for several years. ● For the fifth straight year, the Dave Matter Along with Joe Mitch, the United States FWAA and the Discover Orange Bowl Columbia (Mo.) Daily Tribune Basketball Writers Association of Ameri- will announce a weekly nominee for the Jorge Milian ca executive director, they have started Discover Orange Bowl/FWAA Courage Palm Beach Post negotiations for a new arrangement with Award each Wednesday during the sea- Malcolm Moran Marriott that would be tailored to our two son for an athlete who overcomes adver- Knight Foundation organizations. Several of the current sity in his college football career. The Randy Rosetta Baton Rouge Advocate cards expire in January, 2011, and some yearly recipient of the Courage Award Roger Rubin not until July, 2011. will be announced in December and pre- New York Daily News The hotel business apparently is sented with a trophy in conjunction with Adam Sparks struggling, at least considering the corre- this year’s Discover Orange Bowl. Any Daily News (Tenn.) Journal spondence that I repeatedly see from the potential nominees should be sent to Andy Staples various companies. So you would think George Schroeder. You may contact him Sports Illustated Marriott officials would be seeking to fill at [email protected]. Phil Steele their rooms, even with discounts. ● We’re also looking for recommen- Phil Steele Magazine But the rooms set aside for the spe- dations for the best and brightest among Jake Trotter Daily Oklahoman cial VIP rates are getting to be more diffi- the sports information directors across Jimmy Watson cult to find (particularly during peak peri- the country. Let me or Steve Richardson

Shreveport Times ods in some premier destinations) be- know if you’ve been impressed with the cause there are so many VIP card hold- work of an SID staff, or if you think one Ex-Officio Charles Bloom ers. The program was originally set up might be lacking. Southeastern Conference for sports executives and coaches. With We’re interested to know what you John Paquette the addition of writers groups, the com- think. Big East Conference petition for the rates has grown. You may contact me at my new loca- Joe Hornstein “Each hotel decides how they are tion back at my old newspaper, the San Central Florida going to parcel those rooms out,” Antonio Express-News, which I rejoined Schroeder said. “We thought we had a in late September. My new e-mail is tgrif- deal in good faith to continue the pro- [email protected] Page 3 THE FIFTH DOWN Nagurski Legend: Mike McCoy

Editor’s Note: Mike McCoy, a defensive tackle on the pion USC that the Los Angeles media tagged McCoy as FWAA's 1969 All-American Team, will receive the a "sure bet All-America for 1969." McCoy controlled the Bronko Nagurski Legends Award on Dec. 6. line of scrimmage against the vaunted Trojan front, limit- ing Heisman Trophy winner O.J. Simpson to 55 yards on By LOU SOMOGYI 22 carries, the lowest total in his college career. The 21- Blue & Gold Illustrated 21 verdict, in which USC scored only 14 points on of- Mike McCoy can appreciate the statement that 1980s fense, left the Irish ranked No. 5 in the nation. Chicago Bears defensive tackle and cultural icon William At one point in the fourth quarter, Simpson looked up "The Refrigerator" Perry once made while describing into the face of McCoy when both were on the ground himself: and exclaimed, "Oh, no, not you again!" "When I was little, I was big." While helping the Irish to their third consecutive No. 5 While going out to play with his friends even in his finish in 1969, McCoy indeed earned consensus first- elementary school years, McCoy often would be lovingly team All-America notice and placed sixth in the Heisman reminded about the perils that can come from his size. Trophy balloting. Since 1950, the only Notre Dame de- "Mom said, `Don't sit on your friends' bicycles, be- fensive lineman to finish higher in the Heisman voting cause you'll break them,'" chuckled McCoy this summer. was Ross Browner (5th) in 1977. Consequently, McCoy developed a bit of a complex Under the tutelage of defensive line coach Joe Yonto, about his supreme size. Because he feared hurting peo- Notre Dame was renowned as "Defensive Line U." from ple, he didn't even begin to compete in football until his 1964-80. Eight different Irish defensive linemen were sophomore year at Erie (Pa.) Cathedral Prep under head first-round picks from 1967-78, with McCoy tabbed as coach Tony Zambrowski, who played for Notre Dame the No. 2 overall pick in 1970 by the Green Bay Packers. legend Frank Leahy from 1949-51. In the last 16 years, only eight Notre Dame defensive "It took a little while to get aggressive, and Coach linemen have been drafted, including Renaldo Wynn Zambrowski helped me with that, to take that on the (1997) the only first-round selection. field, to have that aggressiveness on the field," McCoy However, McCoy noted that in his era defensive play- said. "It took me a while to understand it, until I started ers had more advantages, whereas today's game and getting whacked a few times. I said, `You know, these the rule changes tilt more to offenses. guys want to try to hurt me.' Then I started to get more "It's a different game in the [defensive] line, because aggressive." they've allowed the offensive linemen to extend their Combining his new found aggression with taking up arms," McCoy explained. "You couldn't do that before. wrestling that same year -- "Wrestling really helped me You can't throw a club into their head or their chest any- with the balance and the strength and the endurance." -- more, so you have to have different techniques as a de- McCoy became one of the premier football prospects in fensive lineman. the Keystone State in 1965. Although he also took offi- "And these [offensive linemen] are so big now, and cial visits to Penn State, Syracuse and Indiana, McCoy's they're benching so much weight, and they get that hand Catholic faith and the presence of Zambrowski made out there. If they get it inside the jersey, they're grabbing. Notre Dame a relatively easy decision. So it's very difficult for a defensive lineman to break free When McCoy enrolled in 1966, the 6-5, 270-pound from that ... It's just the way the game has evolved. freshman already was an awe-inspiring sight in an era "From a defensive standpoint, at least they can't cut when anyone more than 250 pounds was deemed a be- you now and clip you like they used to do, so guys are hemoth. The largest starting offensive lineman on Notre playing longer and not getting hurt as bad. It's kind of a Dame's 1966 national champs was 235-pound senior trade-off." Paul Seiler, the 12th pick in the 1967 NFL Draft. Weight training is far different too, which is why as Freshmen were ineligible to play until 1972, but with gargantuan as McCoy was in his playing days, he'd All-Americans such as Kevin Hardy, Pete Duranko and blend right in these days, or maybe even be undersized. Alan Page on that defensive line, McCoy would have Nevertheless, McCoy believes his "conditioning work" had to bide his time anyway. during the summer at Notre Dame could match anything As a sophomore in 1967 McCoy began to work into today's players do, and he wouldn't trade the value of the rotation at tackle with starters Hardy and Eric Norri, actually being able to go home, take some time off from and by the end of his junior year he established himself football and earn some money during the summer as one of the nation's elite football stars. months. Today, football is a non-stop, year-round com- It was in the 1968 finale at defending national cham- (Continued on page 4) Page 4 THE FIFTH DOWN Nagurski Legend (continued)

(Continued from page 3) ons in South Africa, but the 61-year-old McCoy has now mitment, including summer school and summer strength centralized his work more toward Catholic schools in and conditioning training on campus. America. Mike McCoy Ministries can be found under "I was out there shoveling asphalt," said McCoy of his www.mccoy77.com, representing his jersey number at summer job after completing the school year at Notre Notre Dame, not the 76, 79 or 63 he wore with four dif- Dame. "It was 90 degrees in the streets of Erie, and that ferent NFL franchises. stuff is coming off the truck at 350 degrees. There's no "This past year, I'm just focusing in on the Catholic way I could have worked that hard at Notre Dame. schools because of my background and being able to "I did that for two or three summers, and I put some get in there as a former Notre Dame player and a for- dollars in my pocket. My mom kept the account and sent mer NFL player," McCoy said. "I speak on the message me 10 bucks here or there when I needed it to go buy of hope and encouragement, and not have to worry some Twinkies. ... That summer was a good time to relax about mentioning the word of God at the Catholic and do some training -- and there's that anticipation of schools like we, unfortunately, have to worry about that coming in there in August." in public schools. After receiving his economics degree from Notre "We've had students in Catholic schools across the Dame in 1970, McCoy embarked on a productive 11-year country that are cutting themselves, that are feeling de- NFL career, leading Green Bay in quarterback sacks in pressed, suicide notes, you just can't believe it. It's in- 1973 and 1976, and even receiving the Dodge NFL Man credible what our culture is doing to our young people in of the Year award. America. And so in some way if I can help through that, Yet during those playing days, he did not define his life do that early intervention ... I love what I do. I've got a by his football prowess. As comical as it may seem with passion for it. I'm already almost booked for the fall and today's exorbitant salaries, McCoy was sometimes even several dates for spring [in 2011]." more active during the "off season." This included working McCoy is the father of four adult children: Molly (37), in sales for Valley School Supplies in Appleton, Wis., in- Maggie (35), Katie (31) and Caleb (29), and the grand- surance, banking, dabbling in some real estate, and even father of six. When McCoy was growing up, the main getting his pilot's license. voice came from parents and teachers, with television "One off season I made more than I did as a player," (all of three stations back then) seen as maybe an out- McCoy noted. side voice of influence. Today, the outside voices have But he soon discovered that his greatest fulfillment become far more dominant and prolific. came from working in Catholic ministries and with Ameri- "I did a public school, my last one, last May,” he ca's youth. said. “I was in a school in Toledo and I asked a lot of Following the end of his NFL career in 1980, McCoy the administrators, `What happened here?' And they was appointed by President Ronald Reagan to the Coun- said, `We lost control about three years ago. The stu- cil on Sports for a Drug Free America and by former dents do not respond to anything.' And that's the hip- Pennsylvania governor Dick Thornburgh to the Pennsyl- hop generation, it's the gangster rap, it's all that gar- vania Council for Physical Fitness. After participating in bage that's coming out of Hollywood and our movies, NFL chapel programs and speaking organizations, and it's taken an impact in our culture. McCoy served as the chaplain of the Atlanta Braves (he "I didn't approach it from a religious standpoint in the now resides in the Peach State with wife his wife Kia, who public schools. In the public schools, we were spon- skated with Ice Capades) and currently serves on several sored by local business people. Having a platform as a community outreach boards. This was inspired when his former Notre Dame football player and as a former NFL oldest daughter, Molly, one of his four children, came player, it changed the dynamics of the assembly. I can't home from the seventh grade one day in the mid-1980s. tell you how many times we've had principals tell our "She was telling me what's going on in the schools in organization that I was involved with before, `You're the our little town of Pennsylvania we lived in outside of Erie, first guys who've come in here where they sit down and and I was just shocked," McCoy said. "I knew our culture listen.' I think it's because of the size and what we've was changing. And then at that time, I had a chance to done in life, and `You're the first guys who've come in join an organization as a former NFL player and speak full here where they sit down and listen.' I think it's because -time in schools across the country." of the size and what we've done in life, and they respect McCoy engaged in that work for about six years and it that." evolved into joining Bill Glass Ministries in 1992. He has Just like when he was little, Mike McCoy continues spoken anywhere from grade schools in Scotland to pris- to loom big -- in more ways than one.