BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Samford head football coach Chris Hatcher was named a finalist for the 2022 Eddie Robinson Award, which is presented to the national coach of the year in college football's Division I subdivision, Stats Perform announced on Monday.
 
Hatcher led the Bulldogs to their first outright Southern Conference championship in program history with a 10-1 record. The Bulldogs’ lone loss of the season came on the road at defending FBS national champion Georgia. Samford earned the No. 6 overall seed for the NCAA playoffs, which is the highest in school history.
 
The head Bulldog is in his eighth season at Samford and passed the great Pat Sullivan earlier this season for the most wins by a Bulldog coach with 50.
 
The other finalists for this year’s award are: Glenn Caruso (St. Thomas), Bob Chesney (Holy Cross), G.J. Kinne (UIW), Tre Lamb (Gardner-Webb), Mike London (William & Mary), Tom Matukewicz (Southeast Missouri), Trei Oliver (North Carolina Central), Keith Patterson (Abilene Christian) Ray Priore (Penn), Rich Rodriguez (Jacksonville State), Deion Sanders (Jackson State), John Stiegelmeier (South Dakota State), Troy Taylor (Sacramento State), Brent Vigen (Montana State), Chris Villarria (Saint Francis).
 
Named for legendary Grambling State coach Eddie Robinson, the award is in its 36th season, having been first presented in 1987. A national media panel will select the winner, who will be announced on Dec. 8 and honored at the FCS National Awards banquet on Jan. 7 in Frisco, Texas – on the eve of the national championship game.