Horton nominated for Broyles Award

With a 2-9 record, you wouldn't expect the Gophers to have many award nominees this season. But they received word on Wednesday that one among them is being considered.
Jeff Horton, who took over as head coach when Tim Brewster was fired, is one of 36 nominees for the Frank Broyles Award as the nation's top assistant coach, the Rotary Club of Little Rock (Ark.), which sponsors the annual honor, has announced.
Horton was the Gophers' offensive coordinator before Brewster was fired, then stepped in on Oct. 17 when Brewster was fired. Presumably, Horton's nomination has as much to do with his ability to hold the program together -- and even break the school's nine-game losing streak with a win at Illinois -- than his work as coordinator. He also probably has less job security than the other 35 nominees, since he'll be out of work once a new Gophers coach is hired in December.
Considering the Gophers' ugly season, this is likely one of those honored-just-to-be-nominated situations for Horton, but it is nice recognition. The favorite for the award, which will be announced on Dec. 6, seems to be Don Treadwell, who helped lead Michigan State to a shot at the Big Ten title, and stepped in as head coach after Mark Dantonio suffered a heart attack in September.