Michigan’s Josh Gattis Wins Broyles Award over Jim Knowles

Michigan offensive coordinator Josh Gattis was named the 2021 Frank Broyles Award winner on Tuesday in a ceremony in Little Rock, Arkansas. The award, presented by the Broyles Foundation, is given annually to college football’s top assistant coach.

Oklahoma State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles was in attendance as one of five finalists, but, ultimately, did not take home the hardware.

Gattis and the Wolverines had quite the year. His offense is Top 13 in scoring and 19th in total yards per game. More than that, Michigan had some impressive outings — including a 42-27 win over Ohio State — on its way to a Big Ten Championship and inclusion in the College Football Playoff.

But for the sake of those reading this through orange-tented spectacles, here’s my case for the snubbing of Jim Knowles.

After an 11-1 regular season and a Big 12 Championship appearance, the Cowboys rank T-7th in scoring defense, third in total defense, second in third-down conversion defense, and first in tackles for loss and sacks. The Cowboys are also third in points per drive allowed, according to BCF Toys, at 1.15, the lowest ever by the Cowboys since they started tracking the stat in 2007.

Through 13 games, the 2021 Cowboys are logging the best numbers in the Mike Gundy era in Every. Single. One. of those above-listed categories and set new program records in TFLs and sacks.

If there’s a slight consolation to OSU players and fans, consider that the last three Broyles Award winners quickly left their school to take jobs either as head coaches or calling plays in the NFL. Everyone concerned would likely trade this temporary letdown if the Cowboys are able to keep Knowles in Stillwater.

Trophy or not, there’s no question where the loyalty of his players resides.

Following the Big 12 title game, several of his pupils to Twitter to campaign for OSU to do its utmost to retain their DC, who is already drawing the eye of schools around the country. Brock Martin posited that the university just hand Knowles a blank check.

On Sunday night, Gundy was asked about his players lobbying for Knowles.

“Well, I think it’s awesome,” said Gundy. “We want our players to trust the coaches. And, obviously, they trust Coach Knowles. Blank checks are a little much. I don’t know that I can go that far in making decisions.

“I can tell you that our president and athletic director would love to keep Coach [Jim] Knowles in Stillwater. And he and I developed a great working relationship. I think he’s a very smart football coach, and I really think he likes Stillwater. So we’re in the process today and, really, some over the last couple weeks of trying to work out a deal to keep him here. I think it’s best for Oklahoma State football, and I think Coach Knowles wants to be here. It’s not quite as easy as just giving somebody a blank check. There’s a lot of details involved in that, but we’re working hard to keep him in place.”

Knowles joined Dana Holgorsen (2010) as the second OSU assistant to be named a finalist. Knowles was also nominated for the award in 2020.