The Williams football team is having a pretty good year-posting a flawless record during the first four games of the season, becoming the first team in the nation to get the best of Trinity in nearly four years, and sitting along atop the NESCAC standings.
And the man at the helm-head coach Mike Whalen-was nominated for the 2006 Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award this week. The victor will be announced in December.
The award is presented to the coach in Div. I, II, or III who best exemplifies excellence both on and off the field and has exhibited a strong commitment to the development of student-athletes.
During his two-and-a-half seasons at the helm of the Ephs' football program, Whalen has amassed a 16-4 record, earning him recognition and respect from players, coaches, and administrators throughout the conference.
"Its not truly a coaching honor of wins and losses; it's more about on-the-field, off-the-field, and in the classrooms," Williams' Sports Information Director Dick Quinn said. "It's an overall statement of how the program is run. He has a high level of respect among coaches and peers in the NESCAC; they are all impressed with the way he carries himself and the way he coaches."
The winner will receive $100,000 towards his civic and charitable activities, in addition to Liberty Mutual's supplying $20,000 in scholarship to the alumni association of the winning coach's school.
On Nov. 8, a panel of players and coaches representing the College Football Hall of Fame, the national college football media and the members of Liberty Mutual will narrow the nominees to 10, leading up to an ABC special on Dec. 9 to announce the winner.
The Jumbos will get their own preview of Whalen this weekend when his team travels to Medford, looking to improve upon its 4-0 record.
-by Rachel Dolin
