San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh has been named the Coach of the Year. In the NFL’s first annual awards show on Saturday, the league announced that Harbaugh was the league’s best coach during the regular season. Harbaugh received 45 of the 50 votes for the award.
With the lockout, a new staff in place, Harbaugh took his first NFL head coaching job and turned the 49ers into a 13-win team in the regular season. This was the team’s first division title win since the 2002 season. Quarterback Alex Smith accepted the award on his behalf at the show.
Harbaugh becomes the first 49ers head coach to win the award since Bill Walsh won it in 1981. Dick Nolan (1970) is the only other 49ers head coach to also win the award.
Rookie linebacker Aldon Smith lost out to Denver’s Von Miller for the Defensive Rookie of the Year award. Smith led all rookies with 14 sacks (compared to Miller’s 11.5 sacks). But because Miller was an every down player, that helped give him the edge in the voting. Miller had 39 of the 50 votes for the award.
Defensive end Justin Smith finished thrid in the Defensive Player of the Year award behind winner Terrell Suggs and Jared Allen. Suggs had 21 votes, Allen had 14 and Smith had six. Also receiving votes for the awards are 49ers linebackers Patrick Willis (2) and NaVorro Bowman (1).
Former 49ers Jerry Rice, Steve Young and Joe Montana were in attendance for the award ceremony. Along with Alex Smith, current players Aldon Smith, Vernon Davis, Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman were present also.
This post will be updated as more announcements are made public.
AP Most Valuable Player: Aaron Rodgers
AP Offensive Player of the Year: Drew Brees
AP Comeback Player of the Year: Matthew Stafford (Alex Smith finished third in voting with seven votes)
AP Offensive Rookie of the Year: Cam Newton
Walter Payton Man of the Year: Matt Birk
Pepsi Rookie of the Year: Cam Newton
GMC Never Say Never Moment of the Year: Tim Tebow's performance in Week 14
Play of the Year: Randall Cobb's 108-yard kickoff return for touchdown
Salute to Service Award: Bud Adams
NFL.com Fantasy Player of the Year: Calvin Johnson
Madden Most Valuable Protectors Award: New Orleans Saints
Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year Award: John McKissick (Summerville High School, South Carolina)
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