Five Lesser Known Head Coaches Who Will Compete for the 2009 College Football Coach of the Year

Every college football season offers us the lesser known players & coaches who make an impact. Here are four head coaches who have a solid chance of earning the 2009 College Coach of the Year award.

Paul Johnson - Georgia Tech University

Last year was Paul Johnson's first year was a successful one when he led Georgia Tech University to a 9 - 4 record after numerous college pundits picked the team to finished with three wins or less.

Despite the success and earning the 2008 ACC Coach of the Year award, Johnson is still a relative unknown to college football fans across the country.

Johnson will have his Yellow Jackets in contention for the ACC conference title and have a chance of earning a BCS bowl game. His success has been aided by the unique option offense that he installed in 2008 and one of the nation's best backfields led by Jonathan Dwyer.

Turner Gill - Buffalo University

Though Buffalo University plays in the lesser known Mid-American conference, there is a head coach worth noting. Since Turner Gill became the 23^rd head coach at Buffalo University in 2005, he has led his teams to an overall 15 - 23 record.

After two sub .500 season, Gill led the Buffalo Bills to an 8 - 6 record and first place in the Mid American East Division and the university's first conference title. The Bulls expect to be a force again in 2009 in the MAC and though he is a long shot, Gill should receive consideration for the 2009 Coach of the Year.

Jim Grobe - Wake Forest University

Since 2001, head coach Jim Grobe has been quietly building a successful football program at Wake Forest University.

In 2006 Wake Forest finished with their best season, an 11 - 3 record and a spot in the BCS Orange Bowl game. Despite a 17 - 9 record over the last two seasons, Grobe's has lost some of his luster with the national media.

In 2009 Grobe will return to the forefront of ACC college football with a shot at the conference title thanks to the performance of a potent offense led by quarterback Riley Skinner.

Chris Ault - Nevada University

When it comes to the Western Athletic Conference, there is a head coach there who should be the talk of the season by the time the Bowl games start.

Chris Auit creator of the 'Pistol Offense' has been a head coach at Nevada University since 1976 and has an overall 198 - 90 - 1 record. The team has been to four consecutive bowls and in 2009 they appear ready to earn a WAC title. If they are able to accomplish this

Ault's reputation can go along way when Nevada University faces Notre Dame and Missouri this year. If the upsets can be pulled off, he will have a chance to win another Coach of the Year award.

Resources

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football