FootballScoop Release

INDIANA, PA – IUP defensive coordinator Paul Tortorella is the recipient of the 2012 FootballScoop Division II Coordinator of the Year as it was announced late on Sunday.

Tortorella is the architect of a unit that finished the year ranked first nationally in total and scoring defense while also ranking third in rushing defense. The Crimson Hawks relied on that success to go 12-2 on the season, winning the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) title and advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II championships.

The Crimson Hawks gave up just 257.9 yards and 12.5 points per game, recording three shutouts and holding opponents to 10 points or fewer four additional times.

The most impressive defensive performance for IUP came in the PSAC championship game against Shippensburg, holding the nation's number one offense to 271 yards and 10 points, shutting out the Red Raiders in the second half. Harlon Hill award winner Zach Zulli managed just 205 yards passing, finishing 17-of-42 with a touchdown and two interceptions and was sacked twice.

Under Tortorella's guidance the Crimson Hawks gave up an average of 80.1 rushing yards per outing, holding opponents to less than 100 yards nine times during the season. Offenses managed just 2.6 yards per carry and scored nine touchdowns in 439 carries.

The passing defense was also tough to crack, as IUP finished 17th in the nation by giving up 177.8 yards per game and 14th with a defensive pass efficiency of 101.85. Nine times quarterbacks failed to complete 50.0 percent of their passes against the Crimson Hawks, including each of the last four games. IUP racked up 20 interceptions and gave up just 14 touchdown passes.

IUP also ranked first in opponents first downs (14.4 per game); second in turnover margin (+1.50 per game); 12th in turnovers (35); tied for 27th in red zone efficiency (68 percent – 21 scores in 31 trips); and 32nd in third down defense (33.9 percent – 64-for-189).

Finishing his 18th seasons as the IUP defensive coordinator, Tortorella has directed a unit that is consistently ranked among the best in the nation.

The FootballScoop Coaches of the Year awards presented by ProGrass are the only set of awards that recognize the most outstanding position coaches in college football. The finalists (Tortorella, Robert Henry - West Alabama and Chris Symington - Colorado State - Pueblo) were selected based off of nominations by coaches, athletic directors, and athletic department personnel. The prior winners selected this year's winners.

Tortorella will receive his award and be recognized at an event at the AFCA Convention in January.

Previous winners of the Division II of the Year award are Tim Beck (Pittsburg State, 2008), Scott Preston (Arkansas Tech, 2009), Ken Collums (Abilene Christian, 2010) and Hunter Hughes (Colorado State - Pueblo, 2011).