Nov. 26, 2014
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; November 26, 2014 - Penn State defensive coordinator and safeties coach Bob Shoop has been nominated for the Broyles Award. The award is presented by the Rotary Club of Little Rock and Delta Dental to the nation's most outstanding assistant college football coach.
In his first year at Penn State, Shoop has been instrumental in developing a Top 5 nationally ranked defense. The Nittany Lions are the only Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) team that is ranked in the Top 5 in in rushing defense (1st, 81.7 ypg), total defense (3rd, 267.2 ypg), scoring defense (4th, 16.2 ppg) and pass efficiency defense (3rd, 98.74). Penn State also is No. 2 in third down conversion pct. defense at 27.6 percent.
"Bob's done a great job. I'm very appreciative and proud of him," said head coach James Franklin. "I think the defensive staff doesn't get enough credit...those are team awards."
Shoop and co-defensive coordinator Brent Pry have directed a unit that leads the Big Ten in rushing, pass efficiency and third down conversion defense and is No. 2 in total and scoring defense and fewest first downs allowed.
A native of Oakmont, Pa., Shoop has led a unit that has limited 9 of 11 opponents to 20 points or less in regulation, with only UCF and Northwestern scoring more than 20 points in regulation. Ohio State scored 17 points in regulation against the Nittany Lions, winning 31-24 in double overtime. The Nittany Lions have held 10 of their 11 opponents under their scoring and yards per game averages entering the Penn State game in 2014.
Last Saturday, Illinois gained 68 rushing yards, becoming the ninth team to rush for less than 105 yards this season against Penn State's No. 1 ranked rushing defense, which is coached by Sean Spencer.
The Nittany Lions have not allowed any points on 122 of 156 (78.2 percent) opponent possessions, with 51 three-and-outs (32.7 percent). Penn State has permitted an FBS low seven plays of 30-or-more yards this season. Stanford is second with nine.
The Nittany Lions' safeties coach, Shoop and cornerbacks Coach Terry M. Smith have developed a secondary that is No. 3 in the nation in pass efficiency defense, earning a 98.74 rating and allowing only seven touchdown passes in 11 games. The Nittany Lions rank No. 3 in the Big Ten with 15 interceptions, with junior defensive tackle Anthony Zettel and freshman cornerback Grant Haley returning interceptions for touchdowns. Prior to this season, Penn State had not had a "Pick Six" since 2009. Senior safety Adrian Amos lead the team with three interceptions.
In his 26th season of coaching, Shoop was a member of Franklin's Vanderbilt staff from 2011-13, serving as the defensive coordinator and safeties coach. He was instrumental in helping the Commodores finish among the nation's Top 25 in total defense every season: 18th (2011), in 19th (2012) and 23rd (2013). Shoop's defense forced 31 turnovers in 2013, helping the Commodores to a second consecutive 9-4 record and Top 25 ranking in the final polls.
Shoop was an honorable mention All-Ivy League wide receiver at Yale, earning his degree in economics. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at his alma mater in 1989. Shoop is a member of the Allegheny-Kiski Valley Sports Hall of Fame.
The Broyles Award was established in 1996 and is named for long-time Arkansas head football coach Frank Broyles. The 2014 recipient will be announced on Tuesday, Dec. 9 in Little Rock, Ark.
A total of 17 Penn State seniors will be playing their final home game vs. No. 10 Michigan State and will be introduced prior to Saturday's 3:30 p.m. kick in Beaver Stadium. Tickets are available for the Michigan State game at PSUnrivaled.com or calling 1-800-NITTANY on Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. The Beaver Stadium ticket office, near Gate E, opens four hours before kickoff for all Penn State home games and will open at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday.
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