FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (Nov. 14, 2023) – The Frank & Barbara Broyles Foundation announced BYU cornerbacks coach Jernaro Gilford as a nominee for the 2023 Broyles Award, which honors college football’s top assistant coaches.
Gilford is one 57 nominees selected from approximately 1,500 assistant coaches representing 131 FBS programs across the country. He is one of nine assistant coaches from the Big 12 Conference to be named a Broyles Award nominee in 2023.
In preparation for BYU’s move into the Big 12, Gilford has worked diligently to improve the overall depth of the cornerback position by identifying and developing student-athletes that are prepared to compete academically at BYU and athletically in the Big 12.
Through 10 games, BYU is currently tied for 10th in the FBS in interceptions (12) and 18th in turnovers gained (18). Eight of the Cougars interceptions have come from Gilford’s corners.
Junior cornerback Jakob Robinson is currently a semifinalist for the Thorpe Award and is tied for No. 12 in the FBS with four interceptions. He has been named the Jim Thorpe Award National Defensive Back of the Week twice (Sept. 30 and Oct. 25). In addition, Robinson was named was named the College Football Network Big 12 Midseason Cornerback of the Year and CFN Midseason All-Big 12 First Team.
Senior corner Eddie Heckard is tied for 31st in the FBS with three interceptions nationally and has also caused two fumbles. He was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week on Oct. 2 for his two takeaways versus Texas Tech, that included an interception and a recovered fumble for a touchdown. Heckard was named CFN Midseason All-Big 12 Third Team and Midseason Defensive Newcomer of the Year. Senior cornerback Kamden Garrett also has an interception. Overall, the cornerback trio has accounted for 13 pass breakups and two touchdowns—a pick six and a fumble recovery for a score.
Gilford, joined the BYU staff as the cornerbacks coach in 2016. Before coming to BYU, he was the cornerbacks coach at Southern Utah from 2014-15. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant cornerbacks and special team coach at Whittier College from 2012-13.
A former teammate of head coach Kalani Sitake, Gilford played cornerback at BYU from 1999-2003. He played in 37 games at corner for the Cougars with 28 starts. In 2001 he finished No. 6 in the nation in interceptions with six during the regular season and one in the Liberty Bowl. He was named first-team All-MWC.
Gilford’s nomination is the sixth consecutive year that BYU has produced a candidate for the Broyles Award. Current BYU offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick was a nominee in 2019 and 2021. Passing game coordinator Fesi Sitake earned a nomination in 2022. Former Cougar assistant coach Jeff Grimes was a finalist for the Broyles Award in 2020 and former BYU associate head coach Ed Lamb was a nominee in 2018.
The Broyles Award selection process includes the Football Writers Association of America, broadcasters, College Football Hall of Fame selection committee and current college head coaches.