This is the last post in our series of what makes a great coach. We have tackled everything from on the field and off the field issues.  The bottom line is that it is everything. You can not judge a coach just by wins or losses, just how their players act, or just how their players score on tests. You must judge a coach by the whole formula.

The 2008 Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year was awarded by the voters. You voted. You came out in droves to pick the coaches that you felt put everything into place. This award stands for a coach that fits the entire package. A coach that does all of the things I listed above. Before we go further into detail, lets announce the winners that you voted for.

• Division IA – Nick Saban – University of Alabama
• Division IAA – Mickey Matthews – James Madison University
• Division II – Chuck Broyles – Pittsburg State University
• Division III – Larry Kehres – Mount Union College

Every coach was deserving. We all know that Nick Saban had a few bumps in the road, but he has shown that he is one of the best coaches period. He took an Alabama team that was under .500, and had one of the worst college QB’s in all of college football, and he took them to a bowl game last year. Then he turned around and won the SEC West this year. Most of his off the field issues stopped during the season. He ended the season with a little trouble from Andre Smith, but he did not let him play. I feel that move cost him the Sugar Bowl, but he did it.

Am I Nick Saban’s biggest fan? No. Is every Alabama fan, and Mother, and Father of his players happy?  Yes. You have to say he was the coach of the year. The Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award provides each winning coach with $50,000 to donate to one or more charitable organizations of his choice and a $20,000 grant to donate to his school?s alumni association to enhance student scholarships and activities. As of last year, $300,000 has been donated to charity, and $100,000 given to alumni associations.