The Conference USA currently gives seven individual football awards at the conclusion of every season. The seven awards are Most Valuable Player, Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Special Teams Player of the Year, Newcomer of the Year, Freshman of the Year, and Coach of the Year. Recipients are selected by the votes of the conference's head coaches.
Player of the Year Positions keyQBQuarterbackRBRunning backWRWide receiverRSReturn specialistClass keyFrFreshmanSoSophomoreJrJuniorSrSenior
Winners SeasonPlayerSchoolPositionClass2008Chase ClementRiceQBSr2009Case KeenumHoustonJr2010Dwayne HarrisEast CarolinaWR/RSSr2011Case Keenum (2)HoustonQB2012Rakeem CatoMarshallSo2013Shane CardenEast CarolinaJr2014Brandon DoughtyWestern Kentucky2015Brandon Doughty (2)Sr2016Ryan HigginsLouisiana Tech2017Devin SingletaryFlorida AtlanticRBSo2018Brent StockstillMiddle Tennessee StateQBSr2019Brenden KnoxMarshallRBSo2020Jaelon DardenNorth TexasWR/RSSr2021Bailey ZappeWestern KentuckyQB2022Frank HarrisUTSA2023Kaidon SalterLibertySo2024Tyler HuffJacksonville StateSr2025Cam CookRBJr
Winners by school School (Seasons)WinnersYearsWestern Kentucky (2014–present)32014, 2015, 2021East Carolina (1997–2014)22010, 2013Houston (1996–2013)22009, 2011Jacksonville State (2023–present)22024, 2025Marshall (2005–2022)22012, 2019Florida Atlantic (2013–2023)12017Liberty (2023–present)12023Louisiana Tech (2013–present)12016Middle Tennessee State (2013–present)12018North Texas (2013–2023)12020Rice (2005–2023)12008UTSA (2013–2023)12022
Offensive Player of the Year The Offensive Player of the Year is awarded to the player voted most outstanding at an offensive position.
Winners
Positions keyQBQuarterbackRBRunning backTETight endWRWide receiverClass keyFrFreshmanSoSophomoreJrJuniorSrSenior SeasonPlayerSchoolPositionClass1996Antowain SmithHoustonRBSr1997Shaun KingTulaneQBJr1998Chris RedmanLouisville1999Chris Redman (2)Sr2000Dave RagoneSo2001Dave Ragone (2)Jr2002Dave Ragone (3)Sr2003DeAngelo WilliamsMemphisRBSo2004DeAngelo Williams (2)JrStefan LeforsLouisvilleQBSr2005DeAngelo Williams (3)MemphisRB2006Kevin KolbHoustonQB2007Paul SmithTulsa2008Case KeenumHoustonSo2009Joe WebbUABSr2010G.J. KinneTulsaJr2011Patrick EdwardsHoustonWRSr2012Zach LineSMURB2013Rakeem CatoMarshallQBJr2014Rakeem Cato (2)Sr2015Nick MullensSouthern MissJr2016Carlos HendersonLouisiana TechWR2017Mason FineNorth TexasQBSo2018Mason Fine (2)Jr2019J'mar SmithLouisiana TechSr2020Sincere McCormickUTSARBSo2021Sincere McCormick (2)Jr2022DeWayne McBrideUAB2023Diego PaviaNew Mexico StateQBSr2024Caden VeltkampWestern KentuckySo2025Kejon OwensFIURBSr
Winners by school School (Seasons)WinnersYearsLouisville (1996–2005)61998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004Houston (1996–2013)41996, 2006, 2008, 2011Memphis (1996–2013)32003, 2004, 2005Louisiana Tech (2013–present)22016, 2019Marshall (2005–2022)22013, 2014North Texas (2013–2023)22017, 2018Tulsa (2005–2014)22007, 2010UAB (1999–2015, 2017–2023)22009, 2022UTSA (2013–2023)22020, 2021FIU (2013–present)12025New Mexico State (2023–present)12023SMU (2005–2013)12012Southern Miss (1996–2022)12015Tulane (1996–2014)11997Western Kentucky (2014–present)12024
Defensive Player of the Year
The Defensive Player of the Year is awarded to the player voted most outstanding at a defensive position.
Winners Positions keyDEDefensive endDTDefensive tackleLBLinebackerDBDefensive backClass keyFrFreshmanSoSophomoreJrJuniorSrSenior SeasonPlayerSchoolPositionClass1996Tyrus McCloudLouisvilleLBSr1997Patrick SurtainSouthern MissDB`1998Adalius ThomasDEJr1999Adalius Thomas (2)Sr2000Cedric ScottWayne RogersHoustonLB2001Dewayne WhiteLouisvilleDESo2002Lamarcus McDonaldTCULBJr2003Rod DavisSouthern Miss2004Michael BoleySr2005Kevis Coley2006Albert McClellanMarshallDLSoNick BuntingTulsaLBSr2007Gerald McRathSouthern MissSo2008Phillip HuntHoustonDLSr2009Bruce MillerUCFDEJr2010Bruce Miller (2)Sr2011Vinny CurryMarshall2012Kemal IshmaelUCFDB2013Shawn JacksonTulsaLB2014Neville HewittMarshall2015Evan McKelvey2016Trey HendricksonFlorida AtlanticDE2017Marcus DavenportUTSA2018Jaylon FergusonLouisiana TechLB2019DeAngelo MaloneWestern KentuckyJr2020Tavante BeckettMarshallSr2021DeAngelo Malone (2)Western Kentucky2022KD DavisNorth Texas2023Tyren DupreeLiberty2024Travion BarnesFIU2025Jacob FieldsLouisiana TechDBJrBaron HopsonKennesaw StateLBSr
Winners by school School (Seasons)WinnersYearsSouthern Miss (1996–2022)81997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007Marshall (2005–2022)52006, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2020UCF (2005–2013)32009, 2010, 2012Houston (1996–2013)22000, 2008Louisiana Tech (2013–present)22018, 2025Louisville (1996–2005)21996, 2001Tulsa (2005–2014)22006, 2013Western Kentucky (2014–present)22019, 2021FIU (2013–present)12024Florida Atlantic (2013–2023)12016Kennesaw State (2024–present)12025Liberty (2023–present)12023North Texas (2013–2023)12022TCU (2001–2005)12002UTSA (2013–2023)12017
Special Teams Player of the Year The Special Teams Player of the Year award is given to the player voted best on special teams. The recipient can either be a placekicker, punter, returner, or a position known as a gunner.
Winners Positions keyPKPlacekickerKRKick returnerPPunterPRPunt returnerRSReturn specialistClass keyFrFreshmanSoSophomoreJrJuniorSrSenior SeasonPlayerSchoolPositionClass1996Jeff LiggonTulaneKRSr1997Tinker KeckCincinnatiPRFr1998Ryan WhiteMemphisPK1999Rodregis BrooksUABPR2000Jonathan RuffinCincinnatiPKSo2001Seth MarlerTulaneJr2002Broderick ClarkLouisvilleKRFr2003Nick BrowneTCUPKJr2004John EubanksSouthern MissKR2005Stephen GostkowskiMemphisPKSr2006Johnnie Lee HigginsUTEPRS2007 Chris JohnsonEast CarolinaKR2008Joe BurnettUCFRS2009Dwayne HarrisEast CarolinaKR2010Damaris JohnsonTulsaRSJr2011Tyron CarrierHoustonKRSr2012Quincy McDuffieUCF2013Brelan ChancellorNorth TexasRS2014J.J. NelsonUABKR2015Deandre ReavesMarshallRS2016Carlos HendersonLouisiana TechKRJr2017Isaiah HarperOld Dominion2018Jack FoxRicePSr2019Justin RohrwasserMarshallPK2020Lucas DeanUTSAPSo2021Tommy HeatherlyFIUSr2022Gavin BaechleUTEPPK2023Ethan AlbertsonNew Mexico State2024Lucas CarneiroWestern KentuckyJr2025Cole MaynardPSr
Winners by school School (Seasons)WinnersYearsCincinnati (1996–2005)21997, 2000East Carolina (1997–2014)22007, 2009Marshall (2005–2022)22015, 2019Memphis (1996–2013)21998, 2005Tulane (1996–2014)21996, 2001UAB (1999–2015, 2017–2023)21999, 2014UCF (2005–2013)22008, 2012UTEP (2005–2026)22006, 2022Western Kentucky (2014–present)22024, 2025FIU (2013–present)12021Houston (1996–2013)12011Louisiana Tech (2013–present)12016Louisville (1996–2005)12002New Mexico State (2023–present)12023North Texas (2013–2023)12013Old Dominion (2014–2022)12017Rice (2005–2023)12018Southern Miss (1996–2022)12004TCU (2001–2005)12003Tulsa (2005–2014)12010UTSA (2013–2023)12020
Freshman of the Year The Freshman of the Year award is given to the conference's best freshman.
Winners SeasonPlayerSchoolPosition1996Ketric SanfordHoustonRB/KR1997Jason McKinleyQB1998Derrick NixSouthern MissRB1999LaDaris VannCincinnatiWRTravis AnglinMemphisQB2000Mewelde MooreTulaneRB2001Gino GuidugliCincinnatiQB2002Lonta HobbsTCURB2003Kevin KolbHoustonQB2004Brian BrohmLouisville2005Kevin SmithUCFRB2006Justin Willis SMUQB2007Case Keenum Houston2008Bryce Beall RB2009Charles Sims 2010Jeff GodfreyUCFQB2011Jeremy GroveEast CarolinaLB2012Kevin Grooms MarshallRB2013Corey TindalDBNico MarleyTulaneLB2014Ray LawryOld DominionRB2015Brent StockstillMiddle Tennessee StateQB2016Josiah TauaefaUTSALB2017Spencer BrownUABRB2018Chris RobisonFlorida AtlanticQBIsaiah GreenMarshall2019Sincere McCormickUTSARB2020Grant WellsMarshallQB2021Elijah SpencerCharlotteWR2022Kevorian BarnesUTSARB2023Michael RichardLouisiana TechDB2024DJ McKinneySam Houston RB2025Rodney Tisdale Jr.Western KentuckyQB
Winners by school School (Seasons)WinnersYearsHouston (1996–2013)61996, 1997, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009Marshall (2005–2022)42012, 2013, 2018, 2020UTSA (2013–2023)32016, 2019, 2022Cincinnati (1996–2005)21999, 2001Tulane (1996–2014)22000, 2013UCF (2005–2013)22005, 2010Charlotte (2015–2023)12021East Carolina (1997–2014)12011Florida Atlantic (2013–2023)12018Louisiana Tech (2013–present)12023Louisville (1996–2005)12004Memphis (1996–2013)11999Middle Tennessee State (2013–present)12015Old Dominion (2014–2022)12014Sam Houston (2023–present)12024SMU (2005–2013)12006Southern Miss (1996–2022)11998TCU (2001–2005)12002UAB (1999–2015, 2017–2023)12017Western Kentucky (2014–present)12025
Newcomer of the Year The Newcomer of the Year award is given to the conference's best transfer.
Winners SeasonPlayerSchoolPosition2007Brennan MarionTulsaWR2008Curtis SteeleMemphisRB2009James ClevelandHoustonWR2010Dominique DavisEast CarolinaQB2011D.J. Hayden HoustonDB2012 Vintavious CoopeEast CarolinaRB2013Jaquez JohnsonFlorida AtlanticQB2014Cody Sokol Louisiana Tech2015Jeff Driskel2016Mike WhiteWestern Kentucky2017 Jalen GuytonNorth TexasWRTeddy VealLouisiana Tech2018 James MorganFIUQB2019Ty StoreyWestern Kentucky2020Luke AnthonyLouisiana Tech2021Jerreth SternsWestern KentuckyWR2022Austin ReedQB2023Quinton CooleyLibertyRB2024Tyler HuffJacksonville StateQB2025Cam CookRB Winners by school School (Seasons)WinnersYearsLouisiana Tech (2013–present)42014, 2015, 2017, 2020Western Kentucky (2014–present)42016, 2019, 2021, 2022East Carolina (1997–2014)22010, 2012Houston (1996–2013)22009, 2011Jacksonville State (2023–present)22024, 2025FIU (2013–present)12018Florida Atlantic (2013–2023)12013Liberty (2023–present)12023Memphis (1996–2013)12008North Texas (2013–2023)12017Tulsa (2005–2014)12007
Coach of the Year
Winners SeasonCoachSchoolRecord1996Kim HeltonHouston7-51997Jeff BowerSouthern Miss9-31998Tommy BowdenTulane11-01999Jeff Bower (2)Southern Miss9-32000John SmithLouisville9-32001John Smith (2)11-22002Gary PattersonTCU10-22003Jeff Bower (3)Southern Miss9-42004Bobby PetrinoLouisville11-12005George O'LearyUCF8-52006Art BrilesHouston10-4Todd GrahamRice7-62007George O'Leary (2)UCF10-42008David BailiffRice10-32009Kevin SumlinHouston10-42010George O'Leary (3)UCF11-32011Kevin Sumlin (2)Houston12-12012Bill BlankenshipTulsa11-32013David Bailiff (2)Rice10-42014Bill ClarkUAB6-62015Todd MonkenSouthern Miss9-52016Skip HoltzLouisiana Tech9-52017Bill Clark (2)UAB8-52018Rick StockstillMiddle Tennessee State8-62019Tyson HeltonWestern Kentucky9-42020Doc HollidayMarshall7-32021Jeff TraylorUTSA12-22022Jeff Traylor (2)11-32023Jamey ChadwellLiberty13-1Jerry KillNew Mexico State10-52024Rich RodriguezJacksonville State9-52025Jerry MackKennesaw State9-3 Winners by school School (Seasons)WinnersYearsHouston (1996–2013)41996, 2006, 2009, 2011Southern Miss (1996–2022)41997, 1999, 2003, 2015Louisville (1996–2005)32000, 2001, 2004Rice (2005–2023)32006, 2008, 2013UCF (2005–2013)32005, 2007, 2010UAB (1999–2015, 2017–2023)22014, 2017UTSA (2013–2023)22021, 2022Jacksonville State (2023–present)12024Kennesaw State (2024–present)12025Liberty (2023–present)12023Louisiana Tech (2013–present)12016Marshall (2005–2022)12020Middle Tennessee State (2013–present)12018New Mexico State (2023–present)12023TCU (2001–2005)12002Tulane (1996–2014)11998Tulsa (2005–2014)12012Western Kentucky (2014–present)12019
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