Happy New Year!

COZUMEL, December 31, 2011

BREAKING NEWS: Clemson’s Dabo Swinney, who took the Tigers to 10 wins, including a win over Virginia Tech in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game, has been named the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year.

Swinney was announced as the unanimous winner of the award, which recognizes “the highest ideals on and off the field,” at halftime of Saturday night’s Chick-fil-A Bowl.

The winner of award is picked each year by votes from a panel which includes previous winners.

Led by Swinney, Clemson (10-3) will play West Virginia in the Orange Bowl on Wednesday. The award will be presented to Swinney on the Clemson campus in March.

Boise State’s Chris Petersen won the 2010 award.