LITTLE ROCK — Rhett Lashlee is winding down his second season as an offensive coordinator, but his first season at Arkansas State installing Coach Gus Malzahn’s hurry-up, no-huddle offense already has put the Springdale native in good company.
Lashlee, 28, was among 29 nominees announced Wednesday as candidates for the Frank Broyles Award, which is presented annually to the nation’s top assistant coach.
It also provides a chance for Lashlee to join his mentor in winning the award, which was presented to Malzahn in 2010 after his second season serving as Auburn’s offensive coordinator.
After serving as offensive coordinator at Samford, Lashlee was the first hire made by Malzahn — who coached Lashlee at Shiloh Christian High School — when Malzahn took over as ASU’s coach last December.
Arkansas State ranks 19th nationally in total offense (479.1 yards per game) and No. 30 in scoring offense (35.6 points per game) with a season finale looming Dec. 1 against Middle Tennessee. Lashlee is also in charge of the Red Wolves’ quarterbacks, including senior Ryan Aplin, who ranks No. 23 nationally in total offense with an average of 295.5 yards per game and has thrown 20 touchdown passes.
It’s also the second consecutive season an Arkansas State assistant coach has landed on the list. Former defensive coordinator Dave Wommack, who is now at Ole Miss, was among the initial nominees last season but was not among the five finalists.
Other nominees include Clemson offensive coordinator Chad Morris, Florida State defensive coordinator Mike Stoops, Notre Dame defensive coordinator Bob Diaco, Texas Tech offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, Nebraksa offensive coordinator Tim Beck and Louisiana Tech offensive coordinator Tony Franklin.
LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis won the award last year.
Finalists for the award will be announced Monday, and the winner will be named during a ceremony at 11:30 a.m. Dec. 4 at the Peabody Hotel in Little Rock.
Sports, Pages 33 on 11/22/2012