CEDAR CITY, Utah - Southern Utah University head football coach Demario Warren has been named a finalist for the 31st STATS FCS Eddie Robinson Award, honoring the Coach of the Year in FCS Football.

Warren was one of 18 finalists named for the honor. The nominations come from a panel of over 150 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries.

The Eddie Robinson Award is named after the legendary coach of Grambling State.

This season coach Warren led the Thunderbirds to a Big Sky Conference Championship in just his second year as head coach. Warren also led the team to nine victories against Division I opponents, which was a feat never reached before in the history of the program.

Warren also led his team to the No. 8 seed in the FCS Playoffs, where they are awaiting the winner of Weber State-Western Illinois.

He was the lone finalist from the Big Sky Conference this season.

Finalists: Mike Ayers (Wofford), Al Bagnoli (Columbia), Brian Bohannon (Kennesaw State), Rod Broadway (North Carolina A&T), Kevin Callahan (Monmouth), Dave Cecchini (Valparaiso), Curt Cignetti (Elon), Charlie Fisher (Western Illinois), John Grass (Jacksonville State), Will Healy (Austin Peay), Mike Houston (James Madison), Dan Hunt (Colgate), Chris Klieman (North Dakota State), Mike London (Howard), Fred McNair (Alcorn State), Tim Rebowe (Nicholls), Pete Rossomando (Central Connecticut State), Demario Warren (Southern Utah)  

The award will be given out on January 5, 2018, the night before the FCS title game.

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Read all about the Thunderbirds on suutbirds.com.