Durkin Named to Broyles Award Nominee List

Bill Durkin's efforts in leading Liberty's offensive line during a record-setting season for the Flames have caught national attention.

Durkin is one of 58 coaches named to the 2023 Broyles Award nominee list, which annually recognizes the nation's top assistant coach.

A selection committee of distinguished former head coaches, broadcasters and a committee representing the FWAA will select 15 semifinalists, five finalists from the list of nominees, and an overall winner.

Durkin is in his first season as Liberty's offensive line coach and his unit has helped the Flames to a program record 10-0 start and a 7-0 start in Conference USA. The Flames are one of seven remaining undefeated teams in the country and are currently ranked No. 25 in the latest Associated Press top 25 poll.

Behind Durkin's stout offensive line, Liberty currently ranks No. 1 in the country in rushing offense, averaging 278.0 yards per game and in average time of possession (33:48).

The Flames also rank No. 2 in passing yards per completion (17.20), No. 4 in team passing efficiency (177.29), No. 6 in sacks allowed (0.80 per game), No. 7 in total offense (496.4 total offensive yards per game), No. 8 in passes had intercepted (4), No. 9 in first down offense (247), No. 10 in third down conversion percentage (49.6 percent) and No. 10 in scoring offense (39.0 points per game).

Liberty's offensive line has helped protect Flames' starting quarterback Kaidon Salter, who is a semifinalist for the Maxwell Award (National Player of the Year) and the Davey O'Brien Award (Nation's top quarterback award).

Individually, Salter ranks No. 1 in passing yards per completion (17.20), No. 4 in points responsible for (210), No. 4 in points responsible for per game (21.0), No. 4 in passing efficiency (181.4), No. 5 in passing TDs (26), No. 5 in rushing TDs by a quarterback (9) and No. 17 in rushing yards per carry (6.13).

2023 Broyles Award Nominees
AIR FORCE – Brian Knorr, Defensive Coordinator
ALABAMA – Tommy Rees, Offensive Coordinator/QB
APPALACHIAN STATE – Frank Ponce, Offensive Coordinator/QB
ARIZONA – Johnny Nansen, Defensive Coordinator
ARIZONA STATE – Brian Ward, Defensive Coordinator
ARKANSAS – Travis Williams, Defensive Coordinator/LB
BOSTON COLLEGE – Matt Applebaum, Offensive Line
BYU – Jernaro Gilford, Cornerbacks
CINCINNATI – Bryan Brown, Assoc. Head Coach/ DC
CLEMSON – Wes Goodwin, Defensive Coordinator/LB
COLORADO STATE – James Finley, Tight Ends
DUKE – Tyler Santucci, Defensive Coordinator/LB
FLORIDA STATE – Adam Fuller, Defensive Coordinator
GEORGIA – Mike Bobo, Offensive Coordinator/QB
GEORGIA SOUTHERN – Bryan Ellis, Offensive Coordinator/QB
GEORGIA TECH – Buster Faulkner, Offensive Coordinator/TE
IOWA - Phil Parker, Defensive Coordinator/Sec.
IOWA STATE – Jon Heacock, Defensive Coordinator
JAMES MADISON – Bryant Haines, Defensive Coordinator/LB
KANSAS – Jim Zebrowski, Quarterbacks
KANSAS STATE – Joe Klanderman, Defensive Coordinator/S
LIBERTY – Bill Durkin, Offensive Line Coach
LOUISVILLE – Ron English, Defensive Coordinator
LSU – Mike Denbrock, Offensive Coordinator/TE
MEMPHIS – Tim Cramsey, Offensive Coordinator
MIAMI – Lance Guidry, Defensive Coordinator
MICHIGAN – Sherrone Moore, Offensive Coordinator/OL
MISSOURI – Kirby Moore, Offensive Coordinator
NC STATE – Tony Gibson, Defensive Coordinator/LB
NEBRASKA – Tony White, Assoc. Head Coach/DC
NORTH CAROLINA – Chip Lindsey, Offensive Coordinator/QB
NORTH TEXAS – Drew Svoboda, Special Teams
NOTRE DAME – Al Golden, Defensive Coordinator/LB
OHIO – Spence Nowinsky, Defensive Coordinator/DE
OHIO STATE – Jim Knowles, Defensive Coordinator/LB
OKLAHOMA – Jeff Lebby, Offensive Coordinator/QB
OLE MISS – Pete Golding, Defensive Coordinator/LB
OREGON – Will Stein, Offensive Coordinator
OREGON STATE – Jim Michalczik, Assoc. Head Coach/Run Game/OL
PENN STATE – Manny Diaz, Defensive Coordinator/LB
RICE – Marques Tuiasosopo, Offensive Coordinator/QB
RUTGERS – Joe Harasymiak, Defensive Coordinator
SAN JOSE STATE – Josh Oglesby, Offensive Line/RG
SMU – Scott Symons, Defensive Coordinator
TENNESSEE – Tim Banks, Defensive Coordinator
TEXAS – Pete Kwiatkowski, Defensive Coordinator/OLB
TEXAS STATE – Mack Leftwich, Offensive Coordinator
TEXAS TECH – Kenny Perry, Assoc. Head Coach/Special Teams/RB
TOLEDO – Mike Hallett, Co-Offensive Coordinator/OL
TULANE – Shiel Wood, Defensive Coordinator/LB
UAB – Alex Mortensen, Offensive Coordinator
UCLA – D'Anton Lynn, Defensive Coordinator
UNLV – Brennan Marion, Offensive Coordinator
UTAH – Morgan Scalley, Defensive Coordinator/S
UTAH STATE – Kyle Cefalo, Co-Offensive Coordinator/WR
UTSA – Jess Loepp, Defensive Coordinator/S
WASHINGTON – Ryan Grubb, Offensive Coordinator
WEST VIRGINIA – Matt Moore, Offensive Line

Schedule

Durkin Named to Broyles Award Nominee List

Players Mentioned

Kaidon Salter