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Mid-American Conference football individual awards#Defensive Player of the Year

{{Short description|Awards}}

The Mid-American Conference football awards are given annually by the Mid-American Conference (MAC) at the conclusion of each college football season. The conference gives out a total of five awards, the Offensive, Defensive, and Freshman Players of the Year, the Coach of the Year, and the Vern Smith Leadership Award, which is given to the league's MVP in that season. The Vern Smith Award is selected by a vote of the coaches in the MAC while the remaining awards are selected by the MAC News Media Association.

Offensive Player of the Year

File:Byron Leftwich.jpg

File:Nate Davis at 49ers Family Day 2009 2.JPG

=Winners=

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center;"
SeasonPlayer{{Abbr|Pos|Position}}Teamclass="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref|Reference}}
1965

| {{sortname|Willie|Asbury}}

| RB

| Kent State

|

1966

| Bruce Matte

| QB

| Miami (OH)

|

1967

| John Schneider

| QB

| Toledo

|

1968

| {{sortname|Cleve|Bryant}}

| QB

| Ohio

|

1969

| {{sortname|Chuck|Ealey}}

| QB

| Toledo

|

1970

| Chuck Ealey (2)

| QB

| Toledo

|

1971

| Chuck Ealey (3)

| QB

| Toledo

|

1972

| {{sortname|Bob|Hitchens}}

| RB

| Miami (OH)

|

1973

| {{sortname|Paul|Miles|Paul Miles (American football)}}

| RB

| Bowling Green

|

1974

| {{sortname|Gene|Swick}}

| QB

| Toledo

|

1975

| Gene Swick (2)

| QB

| Toledo

|

1976

| Jerome Persell

| RB

| Western Michigan

|

1977

| Jerome Persell (2)

| RB

| Western Michigan

|

rowspan="2" | 1978

| Jerome Persell (3)

| RB

| Western Michigan

|

{{sortname|Dave|Petzke}}

| WR

| Northern Illinois

|

1979

| {{sortname|Gary|Hogeboom}}

| QB

| Central Michigan

|

1980

| Mark O'Connell

| QB

| Ball State

|

1981

| Sam Shon

| QB

| Ohio

|

1982

| {{sortname|Curtis|Adams|Curtis Adams (American football)}}

| RB

| Central Michigan

|

1983

| {{sortname|Brian|McClure}}

| QB

| Bowling Green

|

1984

| Brian McClure (2)

| QB

| Bowling Green

|

1985

| Brian McClure (3)

| QB

| Bowling Green

|

1986

| Terry Morris

| QB

| Miami (OH)

|

1987

| {{sortname|Eric|Wilkerson}}

| RB

| Kent State

|

1988

| {{sortname|Tony|Kimbrough}}

| QB

| Western Michigan

|

1989

| {{sortname|David|Riley|David Riley (American football)}}

| QB

| Ball State

|

1990

| Jeff Bender

| QB

| Central Michigan

|

1991

| {{sortname|Erik|White|Erik White (Canadian football)}}

| QB

| Bowling Green

|

1992

| Erik White (2)

| QB

| Bowling Green

|

1993

| {{sortname|Mike|Neu}}

| QB

| Ball State

|

1994

| Brian Pruitt

| RB

| Central Michigan

|

1995

| Wasean Tait

| RB

| Toledo

|

1996

| Kareem Wilson

| QB

| Ohio

|

1997

| {{sortname|Randy|Moss}}

| WR

| Marshall

|

1998

| {{sortname|Travis|Prentice}}

| RB

| Miami (OH)

|

1999

| {{sortname|Chad|Pennington}}

| QB

| Marshall

|

2000

| Robert Sanford

| RB

| Western Michigan

|

2001

| {{sortname|Byron|Leftwich}}

| QB

| Marshall

|

2002

| Byron Leftwich (2)

| QB

| Marshall

|

2003

| {{sortname|Ben|Roethlisberger}}

| QB

| Miami (OH)

|

2004

| {{sortname|Omar|Jacobs}}

| QB

| Bowling Green

|

2005

| {{sortname|Greg|Jennings}}

| WR

| Western Michigan

|

2006

| {{sortname|Garrett|Wolfe}}

| RB

| Northern Illinois

|

2007

| {{sortname|Dan|LeFevour}}

| QB

| Central Michigan

|

2008

| {{sortname|Nate|Davis|Nate Davis (quarterback)}}

| QB

| Ball State

|

2009

| Dan LeFevour (2)

| QB

| Central Michigan

|

2010

| {{sortname|Chad|Spann}}

| RB

| Northern Illinois

|

2011

| {{sortname|Chandler|Harnish}}

| QB

| Northern Illinois

|

2012

| {{sortname|Jordan|Lynch}}

| QB

| Northern Illinois

|

2013

| Jordan Lynch (2)

| QB

| Northern Illinois

|

2014

| Jarvion Franklin

| RB

| Western Michigan

|

2015

| {{sortname|Matt|Johnson|Matt Johnson (quarterback)}}

| QB

| Bowling Green

|

2016

| {{sortname|Corey|Davis|Corey Davis (wide receiver)}}

| WR

| Western Michigan

|

2017

| {{sortname|Logan|Woodside}}

| QB

| Toledo

|

2018

| {{sortname|Tyree|Jackson}}

| QB

| Buffalo

|

2019

| {{sortname|LeVante|Bellamy}}

| RB

| Western Michigan

|

2020

| {{sortname|Jaret|Patterson}}

| RB

| Buffalo

|

2021

| {{sortname|Lew|Nichols III}}

| RB

| Central Michigan

|

2022

| {{sortname|Kurtis|Rourke}}

| QB

| Ohio

|

2023

| {{sortname|Peny|Boone}}

| RB

| Toledo

|

2024

| {{sortname|Harold|Fannin Jr.}}

| TE

| Bowling Green

|

Source:

=Winners by school=

class="wikitable"
SchoolWinsSeasons
Style = {{NCAA secondary color cell|Bowling Green Falcons}} | Bowling Green

| 9

| 1973, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1991, 1992, 2004, 2015, 2024

Style = {{NCAA color cell|Toledo Rockets}} | Toledo

| 9

| 1967, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1974, 1975, 1995, 2017, 2023

Style = {{NCAA color cell|Western Michigan Broncos}} | Western Michigan

| 9

| 1976, 1977, 1978, 1988, 2000, 2005, 2014, 2016, 2019

Style = {{NCAA color cell|Northern Illinois Huskies}} | Northern Illinois

| 7

| 1978, 2006, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2021

Style = {{NCAA color cell|Central Michigan Chippewas}} | Central Michigan

| 6

| 1979, 1982, 1990, 1994, 2007, 2009

Style = {{NCAA color cell|Miami RedHawks}} | Miami (OH)

| 5

| 1966, 1972, 1986, 1998, 2003

Style = {{NCAA color cell|Ball State Cardinals}} | Ball State

| 4

| 1980, 1989, 1993, 2008

Style = {{NCAA color cell|Marshall Thundering Herd}} | Marshall

| 4

| 1997, 1999, 2001, 2002

Style = {{NCAA color cell|Ohio Bobcats}} | Ohio

| 4

| 1968, 1981, 1996, 2022

Style = {{NCAA color cell|Kent State Golden Flashes}} | Kent State

| 3

| 1965, 1987, 2021

Style = {{NCAA color cell|Buffalo Bulls}} | Buffalo

| 2

| 2018, 2020

Defensive Player of the Year

File:Larry-English Chargers-vs-49ers Sept 4 2009.jpg

=Winners=

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center;"
SeasonPlayer{{Abbr|Pos|Position}}Teamclass="unsortable" | {{abbr|Ref|Reference}}
1965

| {{sortname|Bob|Rowe|Bob Rowe (American football)}}

| DT

| Western Michigan

|

1966

| Bob Rowe (2)

| DT

| Western Michigan

|

1967

| {{sortname|Tom|Beutler}}

| DT

| Toledo

|

1968

| {{sortname|Bob|Babich|Bob Babich (linebacker)}}

| LB

| Miami (OH)

|

1969

| {{sortname|Joe|Green|Joe Green (American football)}}

| DT

| Bowling Green

|

rowspan="2" | 1970

| {{sortname|Dick|Adams|Dick Adams (Canadian football)}}

| DB

| Miami (OH)

|

{{sortname|Phil|Villapiano}}

| DE

| Bowling Green

| {{cite web|title=Phil Villapiano (1976) - Hall of Fame|url=https://bgsufalcons.com/honors/hall-of-fame/phil-villapiano/185|website=bgsufalcons.com|publisher=Bowling Green Falcons athletics|access-date=January 13, 2025}}

1971

| {{sortname|Mel|Long}}

| DT

| Toledo

|

1972

| {{sortname|Jack|Lambert|Jack Lambert (American football)}}

| LB

| Kent State

|

1973

| {{sortname|Brad|Cousino}}

| DT

| Miami (OH)

|

1974

| Brad Cousino (2)

| DT

| Miami (OH)

|

1975

| {{sortname|Shafer|Suggs}}

| S

| Ball State

|

1976

| Aaron Bivins

| LB

| Toledo

|

1977

| Jack Glowik

| DT

| Miami (OH)

|

1978

| {{sortname|Ken|Kremer}}

| DT

| Ball State

|

1979

| Frank Lewandowski

| LB

| Northern Illinois

|

rowspan="2" | 1980

| Kent McCormick

| LB

| Miami (OH)

|

Mike Terra

| LB

| Northern Illinois

|

1981

| John Zupancic

| LB

| Miami (OH)

|

1982

| {{sortname|Ray|Bentley}}

| LB

| Central Michigan

|

1983

| {{sortname|Brian|Pillman}}

| DT

| Miami (OH)

|

1984

| Mark Brandon

| CB

| Toledo

|

1985

| {{sortname|John|Offerdahl}}

| LB

| Western Michigan

|

1986

| {{sortname|Mark|Garalczyk}}

| DT

| Western Michigan

|

1987

| Greg Garnica

| LB

| Ball State

|

1988

| Greg Garnica (2)

| LB

| Ball State

|

1989

| Greg Garnica (3)

| LB

| Ball State

|

1990

| Sean Mulhearn

| LB

| Western Michigan

|

1991

| Curt McMillan

| LB

| Miami (OH)

|

1992

| Curt McMillan (2)

| LB

| Miami (OH)

|

1993

| Vince Palko

| LB

| Bowling Green

|

1994

| Vince Palko (2)

| LB

| Bowling Green

|

1995

| Johnnie Williams

| S

| Miami (OH)

|

1996

| {{sortname|Brad|Maynard}}

| P

| Ball State

|

1997

| {{sortname|JoJuan|Armour}}

| LB

| Miami (OH)

|

1998

| JoJuan Armour (2)

| LB

| Miami (OH)

|

1999

| {{sortname|Dustin|Cohen}}

| LB

| Miami (OH)

| {{cite web|title=Miami's Dustin Cohen Named MAC's Defensive Player of the Year|url=https://miamiredhawks.com/news/1999/11/30/Miami_s_Dustin_Cohen_Named_MAC_s_Defensive_Player_of_the_Year|website=miamiredhawks.com|date=November 30, 1999|access-date=January 13, 2025|publisher=Miami RedHawks athletics}}

2000

| {{sortname|Dwight|Smith|Dwight Smith (American football)}}

| S

| Akron

|

2001

| {{sortname|Max|Yates|Max Yates (American football)}}

| LB

| Marshall

|

2002

| {{sortname|Jason|Babin}}

| DE

| Western Michigan

|

2003

| Jason Babin (2)

| DE

| Western Michigan

|

2004

| {{sortname|Johnathan|Goddard}}

| DE

| Marshall

|

2005

| {{sortname|Dan|Bazuin}}

| DE

| Central Michigan

|

2006

| Ameer Ismail

| LB

| Western Michigan

|

2007

| Clayton Mullins

| LB

| Miami (OH)

|

2008

| {{sortname|Larry|English}}

| DE

| Northern Illinois

|

2009

| {{sortname|Adrian|Robinson}}

| DE

| Temple

|

2010

| {{sortname|Roosevelt|Nix|Roosevelt Nix (fullback)}}

| DE

| Kent State

|

2011

| {{sortname|Drew|Nowak}}

| DT

| Western Michigan

|

2012

| {{sortname|Chris|Jones|Chris Jones (defensive tackle, born 1990)}}

| DT

| Bowling Green

|

2013

| {{sortname|Khalil|Mack}}

| LB

| Buffalo

|

2014

| {{sortname|Quinten|Rollins}}

| CB

| Miami (OH)

|

2015

| {{sortname|Jatavis|Brown}}

| LB

| Akron

|

2016

| {{sortname|Tarell|Basham}}

| DE

| Ohio

|

2017

| {{sortname|Sutton|Smith}}

| DE

| Northern Illinois

|

2018

| Sutton Smith (2)

| DE

| Northern Illinois

|

2019

| Treshaun Hayward

| LB

| Western Michigan

|

rowspan="2" | 2020

| {{sortname|Troy|Hairston}}

| LB

| Central Michigan

| rowspan="2" |

Brandon Martin

| LB

| Ball State

2021

| {{sortname|Ali|Fayad|Ali Fayad (American football)}}

| DE

| Western Michigan

|

2022

| {{sortname|Jose|Ramirez|Jose Ramirez (American football)}}

| DE

| Eastern Michigan

|

2023

| Matt Salopek

| LB

| Miami (OH)

|

2024

| {{sortname|Shaun|Dolac}}

| LB

| Buffalo

|

Source:

=Winners by school=

class="wikitable"
SchoolWinsSeasons
Style = {{NCAA color cell|Miami RedHawks}} | Miami (OH)

| 17

| 1968, 1970, 1973, 1974, 1977, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1991, 1992, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2007, 2014, 2023

Style = {{NCAA color cell|Western Michigan Broncos}} | Western Michigan

| 11

| 1965, 1966, 1985, 1986, 1990, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2011, 2019, 2021

Style = {{NCAA color cell|Ball State Cardinals}} | Ball State

| 7

| 1975, 1978, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1996, 2020

Style = {{NCAA secondary color cell|Bowling Green Falcons}} | Bowling Green

| 5

| 1969, 1970, 1993, 1994, 2012

Style = {{NCAA color cell|Northern Illinois Huskies}} | Northern Illinois

| 5

| 1979, 1980, 2008, 2017, 2018

Style = {{NCAA color cell|Toledo Rockets}} | Toledo

| 4

| 1967, 1971, 1976, 1984

Style = {{NCAA color cell|Central Michigan Chippewas}} | Central Michigan

| 3

| 1982, 2005, 2020

Style = {{NCAA color cell|Akron Zips}} | Akron

| 2

| 2000, 2005

Style = {{NCAA color cell|Buffalo Bulls}} | Buffalo

| 2

| 2013, 2024

Style = {{NCAA color cell|Kent State Golden Flashes}} | Kent State

| 2

| 1972, 2010

Style = {{NCAA color cell|Marshall Thundering Herd}} | Marshall

| 2

| 2001, 2004

Style = {{NCAA color cell|Ohio Bobcats}} | Ohio

| 1

| 2016

Style = {{NCAA color cell|Temple Owls}} | Temple

| 1

| 2009

Style = {{NCAA color cell|Eastern Michigan Eagles}} | Eastern Michigan

| 1

| 2022

Special Teams Player of the Year

File:Dave Zastudil punting in 2007.jpg

File:Justin-McCareins-TitansvsPackers-Nov-2-08.jpg

File:Scott Secor headshot, Ball State Football, Aug 2014.jpg

=Winners=

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center;"
SeasonPlayer{{Abbr|Pos|Position}}Teamclass="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref|Reference}}
1998

| Brad Selent

| K

| Western Michigan

|

1999

| {{sortname|Dave|Zastudil}}

| P

| Ohio

|

2000

| {{sortname|Justin|McCareins}}

| RS

| Northern Illinois

|

rowspan="2" | 2001

| Dave Zastudil (2)

| P

| Ohio

|

Steve Azar

| K

| Northern Illinois

|

2002

| Dan Sheldon

| RS

| Northern Illinois

|

2003

| Steve Azar (2)

| K

| Northern Illinois

|

2004

| {{sortname|Ryne|Robinson}}

| RS

| Miami (OH)

|

2005

| Jason Robbins

| K

| Toledo

|

2006

| Brian Jackson

| K

| Ball State

|

2007

| {{sortname|Brett|Kern}}

| P

| Toledo

|

2008

| {{sortname|Antonio|Brown}}

| RS

| Central Michigan

|

2009

| Antonio Brown (2)

| RS

| Central Michigan

|

2010

| {{sortname|Eric|Page}}

| RS

| Toledo

|

2011

| Matt Weller

| K

| Ohio

|

2012

| {{sortname|Dri|Archer}}

| RS

| Kent State

|

2013

| Jeremiah Detmer

| K

| Toledo

|

2014

| {{sortname|Scott|Secor}}

| K

| Ball State

|

2015

| Aregeros Turner

| RS

| Northern Illinois

|

2016

| {{sortname|Darius|Phillips}}

| RS

| Western Michigan

|

2017

| Darius Phillips (2)

| RS

| Western Michigan

|

2018

| {{sortname|Diontae|Johnson}}

| RS

| Toledo

|

2019

| Matthew Trickett

| K

| Kent State

|

2020

| {{sortname|D'Wayne|Eskridge}}

| RS

| Western Michigan

|

2021

| Khalil Pimpleton

| RS

| Central Michigan

|

2022

| Alex McNulty

| K

| Buffalo

|

2023

| {{sortname|Graham|Nicholson}}

| K

| Miami (OH)

|

2024

| Malcolm Gillie

| RS

| Ball State

|

Source:

=Winners by school=

class="wikitable"
SchoolWinsYears
Style = {{NCAA color cell|Northern Illinois Huskies}} | Northern Illinois

| 5

| 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2015

Style = {{NCAA color cell|Toledo Rockets}} | Toledo

| 5

| 2005, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2018

Style = {{NCAA color cell|Western Michigan Broncos}} | Western Michigan

| 4

| 1998, 2016, 2017, 2020

Style = {{NCAA color cell|Ball State Cardinals}} | Ball State

| 3

| 2006, 2014, 2024

Style = {{NCAA color cell|Central Michigan Chippewas}} | Central Michigan

| 3

| 2008, 2009, 2021

Style = {{NCAA color cell|Ohio Bobcats}} | Ohio

| 3

| 1999, 2001, 2011

Style = {{NCAA color cell|Kent State Golden Flashes}} | Kent State

| 2

| 2012, 2019

Style = {{NCAA color cell|Miami RedHawks}} | Miami (OH)

| 2

| 2004, 2023

Style = {{NCAA color cell|Buffalo Bulls}} | Buffalo

| 1

| 2022

Freshman Player of the Year

File:Ben Roethlisberger.JPG to two Super Bowl victories.]]

File:Tim Hiller holding a football.jpg

The Freshman Player of the Year award was first given by the MAC after the 1982 football season. That year's winner, Brian McClure, won a slew of MAC accords, including Offensive Player of the Year three times, and the Vern Smith award twice. Western Michigan is the team with the most awards, with ten award winners.

=Winners=

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center;"
SeasonPlayer{{abbr|Pos|Position}}Teamclass="unsortable" | {{abbr|Ref|Reference}}
1982

| {{sortname|Brian|McClure}}

| QB

| Bowling Green

|

1983

| Kelly Spielmaker

| TE

| Western Michigan

|

1984

| Pete Genatempo

| QB

| Northern Illinois

|

1985

| Marshall Taylor

| QB

| Northern Illinois

|

1986

| Patrick Young

| QB

| Kent State

|

1987

| {{sortname|Bernie|Parmalee}}

| RB

| Ball State

|

1988

| Jeff Bender

| QB

| Central Michigan

|

1989

| Brad Tayles

| QB

| Western Michigan

|

1990

| Troy Parker

| RB

| Toledo

|

1991

| Morrey Norris

| LB

| Kent State

|

1992

| {{sortname|Deland|McCullough}}

| RB

| Miami (OH)

|

1993

| {{sortname|Michael|Blair}}

| RB

| Ball State

|

1994

| Astron Whatley

| RB

| Kent State

|

1995

| Silas Massey III

| RB

| Central Michigan

|

rowspan="2" | 1996

| {{sortname|Walter|Church|Walter Church (American football)}}

| QB

| Eastern Michigan

|

{{sortname|Tim|Lester|Tim Lester (American football coach)}}

| QB

| Western Michigan

|

1997

| Robert Sanford

| RB

| Western Michigan

|

1998

| Kurt Gerling

| WR

| Bowling Green

|

1999

| Brandon Payne

| RB

| Akron

|

2000

| Talmadge Hill

| QB

| Ball State

|

2001

| {{sortname|Ben|Roethlisberger}}

| QB

| Miami (OH)

|

2002

| Aaron Leeper

| RB

| Buffalo

|

2003

| Jerry Seymour

| RB

| Central Michigan

|

2004

| Adell Givens

| RB

| Ball State

|

2005

| {{sortname|Tim|Hiller}}

| QB

| Western Michigan

|

2006

| {{sortname|Dan|LeFevour}}

| QB

| Central Michigan

|

2007

| {{sortname|Antonio|Brown}}

| WR/RS

| Central Michigan

|

2008

| {{sortname|Sean|Baker|Sean Baker (American football)}}

| S

| Ball State

|

2009

| {{sortname|Bernard|Pierce}}

| RB

| Temple

|

2010

| {{sortname|Roosevelt|Nix|Roosevelt Nix (fullback)}}

| DE

| Kent State

|

2011

| Anthon Samuel

| RB

| Bowling Green

|

2012

| Jamie Wilson

| WR

| Western Michigan

|

2013

| {{sortname|Corey|Davis|Corey Davis (wide receiver)}}

| WR

| Western Michigan

|

2014

| Jarvion Franklin

| RB

| Western Michigan

|

2015

| Jamauri Bogan

| RB

| Western Michigan

|

2016

| {{sortname|Javon|Hagan}}

| S

| Ohio

|

2017

| Marcus Childers

| QB

| Northern Illinois

|

2018

| {{sortname|Jaret|Patterson}}

| RB

| Buffalo

|

2019

| {{sortname|Brett|Gabbert}}

| QB

| Miami (OH)

|

2020

| {{sortname|Lew|Nichols III}}

| RB

| Central Michigan

|

2021

| Jay Ducker

| RB

| Northern Illinois

|

2022

| Sieh Bangura

| RB

| Ohio

|

2023

| Jalen Buckley

| RB

| Western Michigan

|

2024

| Kadin Semonza

| QB

| Ball State

|

Source:

=Winners by school=

class="wikitable"
SchoolWinsSeasons
Style = {{NCAA color cell|Western Michigan Broncos}} | Western Michigan

| 10

| 1983, 1989, 1996, 1997, 2005, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2023

Style = {{NCAA color cell|Ball State Cardinals}} | Ball State

| 6

| 1987, 1993, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2024

Style = {{NCAA color cell|Central Michigan Chippewas}} | Central Michigan

| 6

| 1988, 1995, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2020

Style = {{NCAA color cell|Kent State Golden Flashes}} | Kent State

| 4

| 1986, 1991, 1994, 2010

Style = {{NCAA color cell|Miami RedHawks}} | Miami (OH)

| 3

| 1992, 2001, 2019

Style = {{NCAA secondary color cell|Bowling Green Falcons}} | Bowling Green

| 3

| 1982, 1998, 2011

Style = {{NCAA color cell|Northern Illinois Huskies}} | Northern Illinois

| 2

| 1984, 1985, 2017

Style = {{NCAA color cell|Buffalo Bulls}} | Buffalo

| 2

| 2002, 2018

Style = {{NCAA color cell|Ohio Bobcats}} | Ohio

| 2

| 2016, 2022

Style = {{NCAA color cell|Akron Zips}} | Akron

| 1

| 1999

Style = {{NCAA color cell|Eastern Michigan Eagles}} | Eastern Michigan

| 1

| 1996

Style = {{NCAA color cell|Temple Owls}} | Temple

| 1

| 2009

Style = {{NCAA color cell|Toledo Rockets}} | Toledo

| 1

| 1990

Vern Smith Leadership Award

File:Brad Maynard (Chicago Bears training camp, 2009).jpg

File:Garrett Wolfe.jpg

The Vern Smith Leadership Award was started in 1982 by the Downtown Toledo Athletic Club. In that year, it was known as the Jefferson Award and the name was changed to honor the University of Toledo Athletic Director Vern Smith in 1987. The award is given to the top football player in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). Only four players have won the award multiple times, with the most recent winner, Larry English, being the only non-quarterback to win it. The Northern Illinois Huskies leads with seven awards all-time. The Vern Smith award is the only one voted on by the coaches, with the Coach of the Year, as well as the Players of the Year are selected by the media.

=Winners=

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center;"
SeasonPlayer{{abbr|Pos|Position}}Teamclass="unsortable" | {{abbr|Ref|Reference}}
1982

| {{sortname|Ray|Bentley}}

| LB

| Central Michigan

|

1983

| {{sortname|Tim|Tyrrell}}

| QB

| Northern Illinois

|

1984

| {{sortname|Brian|McClure}}

| QB

| Bowling Green

|

1985

| Brian McClure (2)

| QB

| Bowling Green

|

1986

| Terry Morris

| QB

| Miami (OH)

|

1987

| {{sortname|Eric|Wilkerson}}

| RB

| Kent State

|

1988

| {{sortname|Tony|Kimbrough}}

| QB

| Western Michigan

|

1989

| {{sortname|David|Riley|David Riley (American football)}}

| QB

| Ball State

|

1990

| Jeff Bender

| QB

| Central Michigan

|

1991

| {{sortname|Erik|White|Erik White (Canadian football)}}

| QB

| Bowling Green

|

1992

| Erik White (2)

| QB

| Bowling Green

|

1993

| {{sortname|Mike|Neu}}

| QB

| Ball State

|

1994

| Brian Pruitt

| RB

| Central Michigan

|

1995

| Wasean Tait

| RB

| Toledo

|

1996

| {{sortname|Brad|Maynard}}

| P

| Ball State

|

1997

| {{sortname|Randy|Moss}}

| WR

| Marshall

|

1998

| {{sortname|Travis|Prentice}}

| RB

| Miami (OH)

|

1999

| {{sortname|Chad|Pennington}}

| QB

| Marshall

|

2000

| Robert Sanford

| RB

| Western Michigan

|

2001

| {{sortname|Byron|Leftwich}}

| QB

| Marshall

|

2002

| Byron Leftwich (2)

| QB

| Marshall

|

2003

| {{sortname|Ben|Roethlisberger}}

| QB

| Miami (OH)

|

2004

| {{sortname|Charlie|Frye}}

| QB

| Akron

|

rowspan="2" | 2005

| {{sortname|Bruce|Gradkowski}}

| QB

| Toledo

| rowspan="2" |

{{sortname|Greg|Jennings}}

| WR

| Western Michigan

2006

| {{sortname|Garrett|Wolfe}}

| RB

| Northern Illinois

|

2007

| {{sortname|Larry|English}}

| DE

| Northern Illinois

|

2008

| Larry English (2)

| DE

| Northern Illinois

|

2009

| {{sortname|Dan|LeFevour}}

| QB

| Central Michigan

|

2010

| {{sortname|Chad|Spann}}

| RB

| Northern Illinois

|

2011

| {{sortname|Chandler|Harnish}}

| QB

| Northern Illinois

|

2012

| {{sortname|Jordan|Lynch}}

| QB

| Northern Illinois

|

2013

| Jordan Lynch (2)

| QB

| Northern Illinois

|

2014

| {{sortname|Greg|Mancz}}

| C

| Toledo

|

2015

| {{sortname|Matt|Johnson|Matt Johnson (quarterback)}}

| QB

| Bowling Green

|

2016

| {{sortname|Zach|Terrell}}

| QB

| Western Michigan

|

2017

| {{sortname|Logan|Woodside}}

| QB

| Toledo

|

2018

| {{sortname|Sutton|Smith}}

| DE

| Northern Illinois

|

2019

| {{sortname|LeVante|Bellamy}}

| RB

| Western Michigan

|

2020

| {{sortname|Jaret|Patterson}}

| RB

| Buffalo

|

2021

| {{sortname|Dustin|Crum}}

| QB

| Kent State

|

2022

| {{sortname|Kurtis|Rourke}}

| QB

| Ohio

|

2023

| {{sortname|Dequan|Finn}}

| QB

| Toledo

|

2024

| {{sortname|Harold|Fannin Jr.}}

| TE

| Bowling Green

|

Source:

=Winners by school=

class="wikitable"
SchoolWinsSeasons
Style = {{NCAA color cell|Northern Illinois Huskies}} | Northern Illinois

| 9

| 1983, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2018

Style = {{NCAA secondary color cell|Bowling Green Falcons}} | Bowling Green

| 6

| 1984, 1985, 1991, 1992, 2015, 2024

Style = {{NCAA color cell|Toledo Rockets}} | Toledo

| 5

| 1995, 2005, 2014, 2017, 2023

Style = {{NCAA color cell|Central Michigan Chippewas}} | Central Michigan

| 4

| 1982, 1990, 1994, 2009

Style = {{NCAA color cell|Marshall Thundering Herd}} | Marshall

| 4

| 1997, 1999, 2001, 2002

Style = {{NCAA color cell|Western Michigan Broncos}} | Western Michigan

| 4

| 1988, 2000, 2005, 2016

Style = {{NCAA color cell|Ball State Cardinals}} | Ball State

| 3

| 1989, 1993, 1996

Style = {{NCAA color cell|Miami RedHawks}} | Miami (OH)

| 3

| 1986, 1998, 2003

Style = {{NCAA color cell|Kent State Golden Flashes}} | Kent State

| 2

| 1987, 2021

Style = {{NCAA color cell|Buffalo Bulls}} | Buffalo

| 1

| 2020

Style = {{NCAA color cell|Akron Zips}} | Akron

| 1

| 2004

Style = {{NCAA color cell|Ohio Bobcats}} | Ohio

| 1

| 2022

Coach of the Year

File:Urban Meyer spring2008practice1.jpg

The MAC has awarded a Coach of the Year award every year since 1965. The first award went to Bo Schembechler of Miami University. Only one coach has won the award more than twice, with Frank Lauterbur winning the award in 1967, 1969, and 1970. Only two coaches have won the award beyond their tenth year of coaching. Bill Hess won the award in 1968 in his 11th year of coaching the Ohio Bobcats and Herb Deromedi won the award in 1990, his 13th year of coaching Central Michigan. Also, only one coach, Bill Mallory, has won the award coaching two separate teams. He first earned the award in 1973 while coaching Miami University, and then won ten years later giving Northern Illinois their first Coach of the Year award. Toledo leads all schools with nine awards. Temple won their first award in 2009 when head coach Al Golden won his first MAC Coach of the Year award.

=Winners=

Source:

class="wikitable"

| Coach (X)

| Denotes the number of times the coach has been selected

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
SeasonCoachSchoolYear with schoolRecord
1965{{sortname|Bo|Schembechler}}Miami3rd7–3 (5–1)
1966{{sortname|Bill|Doolittle}}Western Michigan3rd7–3 (5–1)
1967{{sortname|Frank|Lauterbur}}Toledo5th9–1 (5–1)
1968{{sortname|Bill|Hess}}Ohio{{hs|ten}}11th{{hs|ten}}10–1 (6–0)
1969{{sortname|Frank|Lauterbur|nolink=1}} (2)Toledo7th{{hs|ten}}11–0 (5–0)
1970{{sortname|Frank|Lauterbur|nolink=1}} (3)Toledo8th{{hs|ten}}12–0 (5–0)
1971{{sortname|John|Murphy|dab=American football coach}}Toledo1st{{hs|ten}}12–0 (5–0)
1972{{sortname|Don|James|dab=American football}}Kent State1st6–5 (4–1)
1973{{sortname|Bill|Mallory}}Miami5th{{hs|ten}}11–0 (5–0)
1974{{sortname|Dick|Crum|dab=American football}}Miami1st{{hs|ten}}10–0–1 (5–0)
1975{{sortname|Dave|McClain|dab=American football}}Ball State1st9–2 (4–2)
1976{{sortname|Elliot|Uzelac}}Western Michigan2nd7–4 (6–3)
1977{{sortname|Ed|Chlebek}}Eastern Michigan2nd8–3 (4–3)
1978{{sortname|Dwight|Wallace}}Ball State1st{{hs|ten}}10–1 (8–0)
1979{{sortname|Chuck|Stobart}}Toledo3rd7–3–1 (7–1–1)
1980{{sortname|Herb|Deromedi}}Central Michigan3rd9–2 (7–2)
1981{{sortname|Chuck|Stobart|nolink=1}} (2)Toledo5th9–3 (8–1)
1982{{sortname|Denny|Stolz}}Bowling Green6th7–5 (7–2)
1983{{sortname|Bill|Mallory|nolink=1}} (2)Northern Illinois3rd{{hs|ten}}10–2 (8–1)
1984{{sortname|Dan|Simrell}}Toledo3rd9–2–1 (7–1–1)
1985{{sortname|Denny|Stolz|nolink=1}} (2)Bowling Green9th{{hs|ten}}11–1 (9–0)
1986{{sortname|Glen|Mason}}Kent State1st5–6 (5–3)
1987{{sortname|Jim|Harkema}}Eastern Michigan5th{{hs|ten}}10–2 (7–1)
1988{{sortname|Al|Molde}}Western Michigan2nd9–3 (7–1)
1989{{sortname|Paul|Schudel}}Ball State5th7–3–2 (6–1–1)
1990{{sortname|Herb|Deromedi|nolink=1}} (2)Central Michigan{{hs|ten}}13th8–3–1 (7–1)
1991{{sortname|Gary|Blackney}}Bowling Green1st{{hs|ten}}11–1 (8–0)
1992{{sortname|Gary|Blackney|nolink=1}} (2)Bowling Green2nd{{hs|ten}}10–2 (8–0)
1993{{sortname|Paul|Schudel|nolink=1}} (2)Ball State9th8–3–1 (7–0–1)
1994{{sortname|Dick|Flynn|dab=American football}}Central Michigan1st9–3 (8–1)
1995{{sortname|Gary|Pinkel}}Toledo5th{{hs|ten}}11–0–1 (7–0–1)
1996{{sortname|Jim|Grobe}}Ohio2nd6–6 (5–3)
1997{{sortname|Gary|Pinkel|nolink=1}} (2)Toledo7th9–3 (7–1)
1998{{sortname|Bob|Pruett}}Marshall2nd{{hs|ten}}12–1 (7–1)
1999{{sortname|Bob|Pruett|nolink=1}} (2)Marshall3rd{{hs|ten}}13–0 (8–0)
2000{{sortname|Gary|Darnell}}Western Michigan4th9–3 (7–1)
2001{{sortname|Urban|Meyer}}Bowling Green1st8–3 (5–3)
2002{{sortname|Joe|Novak}}Northern Illinois6th8–4 (7–1)
2003{{sortname|Terry|Hoeppner}}Miami5th{{hs|ten}}13–1 (8–0)
2004{{sortname|J. D.|Brookhart}}Akron1st6–5 (6–2)
2005{{sortname|Bill|Cubit}}Western Michigan1st7–4 (5–3)
2006{{sortname|Frank|Solich}}Ohio2nd9–5 (7–1)
2007{{sortname|Turner|Gill}}Buffalo2nd5–7 (5–3)
2008{{sortname|Brady|Hoke}}Ball State6th{{hs|ten}}12–2 (8–0)
2009{{sortname|Al|Golden|dab=American football}}Temple3rd9–3 (7–1)
2010{{sortname|Michael|Haywood}}Miami2nd9–4 (8–1)
2011{{sortname|Ron|English|Ron English (American football)}}Eastern Michigan3rd6–6 (4–4)
2012{{sortname|Darrell|Hazell}}Kent State2nd11–3 (8–0)
2013{{sortname|Rod|Carey}}Northern Illinois1st12–1 (8–0)
2014{{sortname|P. J.|Fleck}}Western Michigan2nd8–5 (6–2)
2015{{sortname|Matt|Campbell|Matt Campbell (American football coach)}}Toledo5th9–2 (6–2)
2016{{sortname|P. J.|Fleck|nolink=1}} (2)Western Michigan4th13–1 (8–0)
2017{{sortname|Jason|Candle}}Toledo2nd11–3 (7–1)
2018{{sortname|Lance|Leipold}}Buffalo4th10–4 (7–1)
2019{{sortname|Jim|McElwain}}Central Michigan1st8–6 (6–2)
2020{{sortname|Lance|Leipold|nolink=1}} (2)Buffalo6th6–1 (5–0)
2021{{sortname|Thomas|Hammock}}Northern Illinois3rd9–5 (6–2)
2022{{sortname|Tim|Albin}}Ohio2nd10–4 (7–1)
2023{{sortname|Jason|Candle}} (2)Toledo8th11–1 (8–0)
2024{{Cite web |title=MAC Announces 2024 Postseason Football Awards & All-Conference Teams |url=https://getsomemaction.com/news/2024/12/4/mac-announces-2024-postseason-football-awards-all-conference-teams.aspx}}

|{{sortname|Tim|Albin}} (2)

|Ohio

|4th

|9–3 (7–1)

=Winners by school=

class="wikitable"
School (First season)WinsYears
Toledo (1952)111967, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1979, 1871, 1984, 1995, 1997, 2015, 2017, 2023
Western Michigan (1948)71966, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2005, 2014, 2016
Central Michigan (1975)61980, 1990, 1994, 1977, 1987, 2019
Miami (1948)51965, 1973, 1974, 2003, 2010
Ball State (1975)51975, 1978, 1989, 1993, 2008
Bowling Green (1952)51982, 1985, 1991, 1991, 2001
Ohio (1947)51968, 1996, 2006, 2022, 2024
Northern Illinois (1975)41983, 2002, 2013, 2021
Eastern Michigan (1976)31977, 1987, 2011
Kent State (1951)31972, 1986, 2012
Buffalo (1999)32007, 2018. 2020
Marshall (1954)21988, 1999
Akron (1992)12004
Temple (2007)12009
Butler (1947)0
Cincinnati (1947)0
Central Florida (2002)0
UMass (2011)0

References

{{reflist|refs=

{{cite web |url=http://admin.xosn.com/fls/9400/09FBGuide/History&Records.pdf |title=Vern Smith Leadership Award |date=2009-07-21 |page=104 |work=2009 MAC Football Record Book |publisher=Mid-American Conference |access-date=2009-12-02}}

{{cite web |url=http://admin.xosn.com/fls/9400/09FBGuide/History&Records.pdf |title=MAC Coaches of the Year |date=2009-07-21 |pages=101 |work=2009 MAC Football Record Book |publisher=Mid-American Conference |access-date=2009-12-02}}

{{cite web |url=http://admin.xosn.com/fls/9400/09FBGuide/History&Records.pdf |title=All-Time MAC Coaching Records |date=2009-07-21 |pages=100–101 |work=2009 MAC Football Record Book |publisher=Mid-American Conference |access-date=2009-12-02}}

{{cite web|title=MAC Announces 2009 Post Season Awards|url=https://getsomemaction.com/news/2009/12/2/FB_134868.aspx|date=2 December 2009|access-date=19 November 2022|publisher=Mid-American Conference}}

{{cite web|title=Three MAC Football Specialty Awards Handed Out|url=https://getsomemaction.com/news/2003/12/2/FB_125646.aspx|date=December 2, 2003|access-date=November 19, 2022|website=getsomemaction.com|publisher=Mid-American Conference}}

{{cite web|title=MAC Announces 2004 Individual Football Awards|url=https://getsomemaction.com/news/2004/11/30/FB_126900.aspx|date=November 30, 2004|access-date=November 19, 2022|website=getsomemaction.com|publisher=Mid-American Conference}}

{{cite web|title=All-MAC Football Awards Announced|url=https://getsomemaction.com/news/2005/11/28/FB_124638.aspx|date=November 28, 2005|access-date=November 19, 2022|website=getsomemaction.com|publisher=Mid-American Conference}}

{{cite web|title=All-MAC Football Team and Individual Award Winners Announced|url=https://getsomemaction.com/news/2006/11/27/FB_131158.aspx|date=November 27, 2006|access-date=November 19, 2022|website=getsomemaction.com|publisher=Mid-American Conference}}

{{cite web|title=MAC Announces 2007 Football Awards|url=https://getsomemaction.com/news/2007/11/27/FB_134029.aspx|date=November 27, 2007|access-date=November 19, 2022|website=getsomemaction.com|publisher=Mid-American Conference}}

{{cite web|title=MAC Announces Football Post Season Awards|url=https://getsomemaction.com/news/2008/12/3/FB_133022.aspx|date=December 3, 2008|access-date=November 19, 2022|website=getsomemaction.com|publisher=Mid-American Conference}}

{{cite web|title=MAC Announces 2010 Football Post Season Awards|url=https://getsomemaction.com/news/2010/12/1/FB_135118.aspx|date=December 1, 2010|access-date=November 19, 2022|website=getsomemaction.com|publisher=Mid-American Conference}}

{{cite web|title=MAC Names 2011 All-MAC Teams & Post Season Awards|url=https://getsomemaction.com/news/2011/11/29/FB_139208.aspx|date=November 30, 2011|access-date=November 19, 2022|website=getsomemaction.com|publisher=Mid-American Conference}}

{{cite web|title=MAC Announces 2012 Football Postseason Awards|url=https://getsomemaction.com/news/2012/11/27/FB_172907.aspx|date=November 28, 2012|access-date=November 19, 2022|website=getsomemaction.com|publisher=Mid-American Conference}}

{{cite web|title=MAC Announces 2013 All-MAC Teams & Postseason Awards|url=https://getsomemaction.com/news/2013/12/4/FB_294840.aspx|date=December 4, 2013|access-date=November 19, 2022|website=getsomemaction.com|publisher=Mid-American Conference}}

{{cite web|title=MAC Announces 2014 All-MAC Teams & Postseason Football Awards|url=https://getsomemaction.com/news/2014/12/2/FB_1202143009.aspx|date=December 3, 2014|access-date=November 19, 2022|website=getsomemaction.com|publisher=Mid-American Conference}}

{{cite web|title=MAC Announces 2015 All-MAC Football Teams and Post Season Awards|url=https://getsomemaction.com/news/2015/12/1/FB_1201152551.aspx|date=December 2, 2015|access-date=November 19, 2022|website=getsomemaction.com|publisher=Mid-American Conference}}

{{cite web|title=MAC Announces 2016 All-MAC Teams and Postseason Awards|url=https://getsomemaction.com/news/2016/11/29/FB_1129165540.aspx|date=November 30, 2016|access-date=November 19, 2022|website=getsomemaction.com|publisher=Mid-American Conference}}

{{cite web|title=MAC Announces 2017 Postseason Football Awards|url=https://getsomemaction.com/news/2017/11/28/mac-announces-2017-postseason-football-awards.aspx|date=November 29, 2017|access-date=November 19, 2022|website=getsomemaction.com|publisher=Mid-American Conference}}

{{cite web|title=MAC Announces 2018 All-MAC First, Second, Third Teams and Postseason Awards|url=https://getsomemaction.com/news/2018/11/28/football-mac-announces-2018-all-mac-first-second-third-teams-and-postseason-awards.aspx|date=November 28, 2018|access-date=November 19, 2022|website=getsomemaction.com|publisher=Mid-American Conference}}

{{cite web|title=MAC Announces 2019 All-MAC Teams & Postseason Awards|url=https://getsomemaction.com/news/2019/12/3/football-mac-announces-2019-all-mac-teams-postseason-awards.aspx|date=December 4, 2019|access-date=November 19, 2022|website=getsomemaction.com|publisher=Mid-American Conference}}

{{cite web|title=MAC Announces 2020 Football All-MAC and Specialty Awards|url=https://getsomemaction.com/news/2020/12/14/mac-announces-2020-football-all-mac-and-specialty-awards.aspx|date=December 14, 2020|access-date=November 19, 2022|website=getsomemaction.com|publisher=Mid-American Conference}}

{{cite web|title=MAC Announces 2021 Postseason Football Awards & All-MAC Teams|url=https://getsomemaction.com/news/2021/11/30/mac-announces-2021-postseason-football-awards-all-mac-teams.aspx|date=December 1, 2021|access-date=November 19, 2022|website=getsomemaction.com|publisher=Mid-American Conference}}

{{cite web|url=https://getsomemaction.com/news/2022/11/29/mac-announces-2022-postseason-football-awards-all-conference-teams.aspx|title=MAC Announces 2022 Postseason Football Awards & All-Conference Teams|date=November 29, 2022|access-date=January 12, 2025|website=getsomemaction.com|publisher=Mid-American Conference|language=en}}

{{cite web|title=MAC Announces 2023 Postseason Football Awards & All-Conference Teams|url=https://getsomemaction.com/news/2023/12/4/mac-announces-2023-postseason-football-awards-all-conference-teams.aspx|date=December 4, 2023|access-date=January 12, 2025|website=getsomemaction.com|publisher=Mid-American Conference|language=en}}

{{Cite web|title=MAC Announces 2024 Postseason Football Awards & All-Conference Teams|url=https://getsomemaction.com/news/2024/12/4/mac-announces-2024-postseason-football-awards-all-conference-teams.aspx|date=December 4, 2024|access-date=January 12, 2025|website=getsomemaction.com|publisher=Mid-American Conference}}

{{cite web|title=History and Records|url=https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sites/mac-sports/documents/2019/7/29/2019_MAC_FB_Media_Guide_History_Records.pdf|access-date=January 12, 2025|website=s3.amazonaws.com|publisher=Mid-American Conference}}

}}

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