Baylor Football’s Jeff Grimes Named Broyles Award Semifinalist
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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Baylor football offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes has been named one of 15 semifinalists for the 2021 Broyles Award, as announced Tuesday by The Frank & Barbara Broyles Foundation.
The award honors the nation’s top assistant coach, recognizing the legacy of Coach Frank Broyles and his hall of fame career as the head coach at Arkansas.
In his first season at Baylor, Grimes has brought RVO to Waco. The “Reliable Violent Offense” is an attacking, multiple-formation offense that runs a few plays a lot of ways with as much misdirection as any team in the country.
Under Grimes’ guidance, the Bears’ offense ranks second nationally with 5.69 yards per rush and 14th nationally with 6.71 yards per play. BU has increased its rushing production by 157% from last season, raising its rushing average from 90.3 yards per game (123rd nationally) to 231.7 yards per game (5th nationally). Additionally, Baylor ranks eighth in fewest sacks allowed (11), 26th in scoring (34.0 ppg) and 28th in pass efficiency (151.68).
Baylor senior running back Abram Smith ranks among the nation’s best in yards per carry (5th, 6.75), total rushing (6th, 1,249) and rushing touchdowns (32nd, 11), while junior quarterback Gerry Bohanon leads the Big 12 in total touchdowns (26). Fellow offensive starters Trestan Ebner (708 yards, 2 TDs), Ben Sims (313 yards, 4 TDs) and Tyquan Thornton (838 yards, 8 TDs) are each enjoying career years for the Bears as well.
A 2020 Broyles Award finalist, Grimes led the BYU offense to a third-ranked finish nationally in scoring (43.5 ppg) and placed seventh in total offense (522.2 ypg) last season.
A selection committee of distinguished former head coaches, broadcasters and a committee representing the FWAA will select five finalists and then an overall winner. Previous recipients of the award are not eligible to be nominated until the completion of three seasons.
For the latest news on the Baylor football team, follow its official Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts: @BUFootball.
2021 BROYLES AWARD SEMIFINALISTS
Cody Kennedy – Arkansas, Offensive Line
Jeff Grimes – Baylor, Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends
Mike Denbrock – Cincinnati, Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends
Doug Belk – Houston, Associate Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator/Safeties
Kevin Wilson – Ohio State, Offensive Coordinator
Jim Knowles – Oklahoma State, Defensive Coordinator
Jeff Lebby – Ole Miss, Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Mark Whipple – Pittsburgh, Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Mike Elko – Texas A&M, Defensive Coordinator/Safeties
Dan Lanning – Georgia, Defensive Coordinator/Outside Linebackers
Phil Parker – Iowa, Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs
Josh Gattis – Michigan, Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers
Jess Loepp – UTSA, Co-Defensive Coordinator
Warren Ruggiero – Wake Forest, Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks