Michigan State's 11-1 record may not be properly acknowledged by the BCS, but their head coach might receive recognition for leading the effort. Mark Dantonio was named as one of eight finalists for the 2010 Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award.
↵Dantonio coached MSU to its most successful record in 44 years, earning a share of the Big Ten title. During the season, he overcame a heart attack, suffered after the Spartans' 34-31 overtime victory over Notre Dame. Dantonio is the first MSU football coach to win nine games twice in his first four seasons. Overall, he has 33 victories during that span.
↵Other finalists for the Robinson Award include Wisconsin's Bret Bielema, Stanford's Jim Harbaugh, Auburn's Gene Chizik, Oregon's Chip Kelly, Boise State's Chris Petersen, TCU's Gary Patterson and Oklahoma State's Mike Gundy.
↵The honor is determined by the Football Writers Association of America and named after the legendary Grambling State head coach whose 408 wins are the most in college football history. The winner will be announced December 6 at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel in New York City.