Meyer caps season with coaching award

TEMPE, Ariz. — Utah's Urban Meyer received the Football Writers Association/Eddie Robinson coach of the year award Saturday after leading the Utes to a 12-0 season.

The honor was announced during the Utes' 35-7 victory over Pittsburgh in the Fiesta Bowl, the final piece in Utah's first perfect season since 1930.

The other finalists for the award — first presented in 1957 to Ohio State's Woody Hayes — were Southern California's Pete Carroll, Tommy Tuberville of Auburn, Mike Price of Texas-El Paso, Iowa's Kirk Ferentz and California coach Jeff Tedford.

Meyer was 22-2 at Utah and guided the Utes to the first Bowl Championship Series game for a team from a conference without an automatic BCS berth.

Saturday's game was Meyer's last with the Utes. He was hired by Florida to replace the fired Ron Zook, but was allowed to coach Utah one last time.

Meyer will be presented with the award Sept. 3 in his Florida debut when the Gators host Wyoming.