Sam Houston State University defensive coordinator Scott Stoker has been named as FootballScoop.com NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision 2011 Defensive Coordinator of the Year .
Stoker, in his third season at Sam Houston State, has produced a unit that has led the national in scoring defense and ranked second in FCS football in rushing defense and total defense.
The Bearkats have rolled to a 13-0 record and No. 1 nationally ranking, winning the Southland Conference championship and playing Montana in the NCAA Division I semifinals Friday night.
Sam Houston has limited all but two opponents this season to less than 17 points. Bearkat safety Darnell Taylor earned AFCA All-America and Southland Conference "Defensive Player of the Year" honors and all 11 defensive starters earned either first, second or honorable All-Southland Conference recognition.
"This is a tremendous honor for Scott Stoker and our football program," Sam Houston head coach Willie Fritz said. "Scott has done a tremendous job taking a young defense composed of freshmen and sophomores three years ago and molding it into one of the top ranked defenses in FCS football. The great job by Scott and his defensive staff is one of the reasons we've been so successful this year. We're very pleased about this great honor."
The FootballScoop Coaches of the Year awards are the only set of awards that recognize the most outstanding position coaches in college football. Finalists were selected based off of nominations by coaches, athletic directors, and athletic department personnel.
A panel of coaches, including previous recipients, determined the the 2011 winners.
Previous winners of the FCS Coordinator of the Year award are Heishma Northern (Prairie View A&M, 2008), Bob Shoop (William & Mary, 2009) and Nick Rapone (Delaware, 2010).
Sam Houston State meets Montana in the NCAA Division I Football Semifinals at Elliott T. Bowers Stadium Friday at 7 p.m.
General admission tickets ($15) and SHSU student tickets ($5) will be on sale at the Bowers Stadium West Side Ticket Office beginning Friday at 8 a.m.
Fans who have pre-purchased tickets can come to the Will Call window at the West Side Bowers Stadium Office to pick up those tickets beginning at 12 noon. Gates will open at 5:30 p.m.
