(STATS) – Grambling State offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach Eric Dooley was named the FCS assistant coach of the year by the American Football Coaches Association on Wednesday.
The award, first presented in 1997, honors assistant coaches who excel in community service, commitment to the student-athlete, on-field coaching success and AFCA professional organization involvement.
Dooley is in his 22nd year coaching college football, including the last three on coach Broderick Fobbs’ staff at Grambling State. The Tigers (9-1) have the top-ranked offense in the Southwestern Athletic Association as they head into the conference championship game against Alcorn State on Saturday.
An active member of the AFCA, Dooley has volunteered his time at every coaching stop, including serving as a mentor for the Alma J. Brown Boy Scouts, working with high risk students in after school or summer programs, visiting retirement homes and volunteering with the Salvation Army Christmas Drive, Girl Scouts of Baton Rouge, Southern University November Turkey Drive, FCA/CCA field days and various Reading Literacy Fay programs.
The other finalists for the FCS award were Randy Hedberg of North Dakota State, Tim Plough of Northern Arizona and Brian Rock of Holy Cross.
Winners also were selected on the FBS, Division II, Division and NAIA levels. All of the winners will be feted at the AFCA Honors Luncheon on Jan. 9 in Nashville, Tennessee.
