CHICAGO (Nov. 23, 2021) – The Big Sky have two finalists for the 2021 Stats Perform FCS Eddie Robinson Award, which is presented to the national football coach of the year in the FCS. Sacramento State’s Troy Taylor and Montana State’s Brent Vigen were named finalists for the award earlier this week.
Taylor’s Hornets are 9-2 overall on the year and finished conference play a perfect 8-0 to win the program’s second Big Sky football title. The Hornets won their final eight games of the season, marking the longest win streak in school history. Taylor, who won the same award in 2019, has earned an 18-6 record overall in his first two seasons at Sac State after taking over a program that finished 2-8 overall and 0-7 in conference play in 2018 prior to his arrival.
Vigen’s Bobcats are 9-2 overall as well in 2021 and finished in second place with a 7-1 record in league action. Vigen, who is currently in his first season with the Bobcats, reeled off nine-straight wins before Saturday’s loss at Montana. Vigen’s nine wins are the most in history by a first-year Bobcat coach.
Sac State and Montana State each earned national seeds for the FCS Playoffs and await their awaits in the second round. The Hornets will face the winner of UC Davis and South Dakota State, while the Bobcats take on the winner of UT Martin and Missouri State. Both second-round games are slated for Saturday, Dec. 4.
Named for the legendary coach of Grambling State and first presented in 1987, the Robinson Award is celebrating its 35th anniversary season. A 50-member, national media panel will select the winner, who will be announced on Dec. 14. Click here for the FCS Stats Perform release.
Past Big Sky Eddie Robinson Award Winners
2019: Troy Taylor, Sac State
2018: Dan Hawkins, UC Davis
2015: Bruce Barnum, Portland State
2000: Joe Glenn, Montana
1991: Chris Ault, Nevada
