Hetherman Named AFCA FCS Assistant Coach of the Year
12/1/2021 11:00:00 AM | Football
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WACO, Texas – James Madison Defensive Coordinator Corey Hetherman has been selected as the 2021 AFCA FCS Assistant Coach of the Year, the American Football Coaches Association announced.
Hetherman, in his third season with the Dukes and 15th year overall in the coaching profession, has led the JMU defense consistently to the top of the NCAA rankings.
This season, JMU leads the country in turnover margin (+17) while ranking second in total defense (252.6), third-down defense (24.5%) and tackles for loss (8.7). The Dukes are also fifth against the run (79.7), ninth in scoring defense (15.5), pass efficiency defense (108.91) and takeaways (24) and 10th versus the pass (172.9).
Previously, JMU led the FCS in total defense in 2019 and was fifth in the spring 2021 campaign. Hetherman was also selected to participate in the AFCA's 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute in 2020.
One winner from each football division (FBS, FCS, DII, DIII, NAIA) is selected and a total of 50 coaches were nominees for this year's awards. Hetherman will be honored at the 2022 AFCS Honors Luncheon on Monday, Jan. 10 in San Antonio, Texas.
The Assistant Coach of the Year award was first presented in 1997 and was created to honor assistant coaches who excel in community service, commitment to the student-athlete, on-field coaching success and AFCA professional organization involvement.
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