BRIEFS

COACHES WILL VOTE ON RONNIE LOTT TROPHY

The Master Football Coaches organization has signed a contract with Newport Beach’s Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation to be the exclusive voters for the Ronnie Lott Trophy.

The trophy is given annually to the top defensive player in college football, rewarding integrity, maturity, performance, academics, community and tenacity.

The Master Football Coaches is a group of 17 current and former college coaches.

The distinguished list includes John Cooper, Terry Donahue, Vince Dooley, Pat Dye, LaVell Edwards, Hayden Fry, Don James, Frank Kush, Dick MacPherson, Bill Mallory, Don Nehlen, John Ralston, John Robinson, Bo Schembechler, R.C. Slocum, Gene Stallings and George Welsh.

“The Master Football Coaches’ great reputations were built on their accomplishments and character,” foundation spokesman Bob Cristiano said in a press release. “The two cannot be separated. We are delighted that the Master Football Coaches have selected The Lott Trophy as the only college football award on which they will cast a vote.”

Former University of Georgia defensive end David Pollack won the inaugural award after the 2004 season.

Alabama linebacker DeMeco Ryans was the most recent recipient of the award.