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Surprise phone call leaves Northwestern DC, Broyles Award finalist Mike Hankwitz nearly speechless
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Northwestern defensive coordinator Mike Hankwitz had to fight back tears after learning he was a finalist for the Broyles Award earlier this week.
Hankwitz is a finalist alongside Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, BYU offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes, Indiana defensive coordinator Kane Wommack and Cincinnati defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman.
The Broyles Award is given annually to the nation’s best assistant coach. The award is named after Frank Broyles, the legendary former Arkansas head coach.
Here’s a clip of Hankwitz speaking with Frank Broyles’ daughter and grand daughter about being named a finalist:
"𝐔𝐧𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭."
Coach Hankwitz received a surprise FaceTime from Frank & Barbara Broyles' daughter and granddaughter to congratulate him on being a finalist for the 2020 @BroylesAward 💜#Hank4Broyles | @coachfitz51 pic.twitter.com/7Qmb4Zuhe5
— Northwestern Football (@NUFBFamily) December 28, 2020
“I’m honored to be a finalist. It should be a staff award, though,” Hankwitz said while fighting back tears.
Addition to the emotion of the moment is the likelihood that Hankwitz will retire at the end of the season. The 73-year-old Hankwitz has been in coaching for over 50 years.
The Broyles Award committee will announce the winner on Monday at 11:45 a.m. CT.
Today's the big day! Join us live at 11:45am CST as we reveal the 2020 Broyles Award winner!https://t.co/8W9t36tqAT@AlabamaFTBL @BYUfootball @GoBEARCATS @IndianaFootball @NUFBFamily pic.twitter.com/pfw5WZ6re5
— The Broyles Award (@BroylesAward) December 28, 2020
Spenser is the news manager at Saturday Road and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.