UC Davis head coach Tim Plough named Eddie Robinson Award finalist

Nov 26, 2024, 7:36 AM

(UC Davis Athletics)

Sactown Sports

This story was initially published by UC Davis Athletics

Already named the American Football Coaches Association Region Five Coach of the Year, UC Davis football first-year head coach Tim Plough has been named an Eddie Robinson Award finalist, joining 14 other coaches across the nation to have earned the honor.

The award, which honors the best coach in the nation for that season, was first presented in 1987 and is in its 38th season. It was named for legendary Grambling State coach Eddie Robinson. The winner, to be selected by a national voting panel, will be announced on Dec. 5 and honored at the Stats Perform FCS National Awards Banquet on Jan. 4 in Frisco, Texas.

Plough has taken the Aggies to historic heights this season, having won 10 games for only the second time in program history during the Division I era, and helping guide the Aggies to their highest seed in program history heading into the NCAA Division I National Championships.

NO. 5️⃣

UC Davis comes in as the No. 5️⃣ seed in the NCAA FCS Playoffs!!

First Round ➡️ BYE
Second Round ➡️ WELCOME TO SHREDVILLE#GoAgs | #Shredville pic.twitter.com/koz6JYfITb

— UC Davis Football (@UCDfootball) November 24, 2024

The 10 wins ties Plough with legendary head coach and Cal Aggie Athletics Hall of Famer Bob Biggs for the most wins for a first-year head coach in program history.

This year the Aggies knocked off than-ranked No. 5 Idaho and went into Missoula, Mont., on national television and took down than-ranked No. 7 Montana. UC Davis also outlasted Sacramento State and won its battle with Cal Poly to solidify what has been arguably the best regular season in the program’s Division I era.

Under Plough’s guidance, senior running back Lan Larison lead the nation in all-purpose yards, and he set school records in both career and single-season all-purpose yards finishing the regular season with over 2,000 all-purpose yards. Senior quarterback Miles Hastings also set single-season records for passing, throwing for over 3,000 yards this season and over 30 passing touchdowns to be one of the best passers in the nation.

Defensively the Aggies have been solid as well, creating turnovers at a rate that puts them near the top of the nation and with three defensive touchdowns scored this season that unit ranks ninth in the nation in defensive touchdowns scored.