LITTLE ROCK — It is fitting that in this year of upsets in college football, this season’s Broyles Award finalists come from both programs with great history and tradition, and programs that are getting a first true taste of national success.

But while the history of their schools vary, the five assistants chosen as finalists on Tuesday, including Auburn defensive coordinator Will Muschamp; Missouri assistant head coach, offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Dave Christensen; Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Heacock; West Virginia assistant head coach, offensive coordinator and running backs coach Calvin Magee; and Kansas defensive coordinator and defensive line coach Bill Young, all have long traditions of personal success.

All five finalists and their spouses will be flown to Little Rock for Broyles Award Luncheon on Tuesday presented by the Downtown Rotary Club. All finalists will receive $ 1, 000 and a set of Callaway golf clubs with the winner receiving $ 2, 500 along with the 75-pound, $ 5, 000 Broyles Award Trophy.

The winner will then travel to Orlando for the “ ESPNU College Football Awards Show. ” Frank Broyles will also attend the awards show and be presented with the Contributions to College Football award.

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About The Finalists Will Muschamp, Auburn The fire and intensity of Auburn defensive coordinator Will Muschamp is on display every week during football season. “ Look at him on Saturday, ” Tigers senior defensive end Quentin Groves said before Auburn played Alabama to end the 2007 regular season. “ He will have dry-erase marker all over his face, and he’ll have blood somewhere on his hand because he’s already broken a board. ” This is the passion that Muschamp brings to each Auburn game, and a main reason he has established the Tigers as one of the nation’s top defensive units in just two seasons. During Muschamp’s two seasons, Auburn held 20 of its 25 opponents to 20 points or less and the 8-4 Tigers are once again in the top 10 nationally in most defensive categories. Dave Christensen, Missouri Following a disappointing 2004 season, Missouri assistant head coach and offensive coordinator Dave Christensen approached head coach Gary Pinkel with an idea the would alter the course of Tigers football history. Christensen had a vision to transform the Tigers offense into a no-huddle, Spread attack. The results are better than Christensen could have imagined.

Missouri is one of the best stories in college football. Christensen has guided the development of junior quarterback Chase Daniel, who is one of the leading contenders for the Heisman Trophy.

Missouri averages 507. 3 yards per game in total offense, which ranks No. 5 in the nation and No. 2 in the Big 12. Jim Heacock, Ohio State

Ohio State’s defense, led by coordinator Jim Heacock, is the most dominating unit in all of college football. Period. There is no discussion on this, at least not if one takes the statistics into consideration.

The Buckeyes are first in total defense, first in scoring defense, first in pass defense, second in pass-efficiency defense, third in rush defense, fourth in sacks... the list goes on. It was this list that prompted Buckeyes head coach Jim Tressel to give a simple answer when asked why Heacock should be a Broyles’ Award finalist:

“ Jim Heacock’s defense has allowed this young Ohio State team to become a national contender, ” Tressel said. Calvin Magee, West Virginia

Calvin Magee came to West Virginia as the Mountaineers’ running backs coach in 2001. Beginning with the 2002 season, West Virginia has led the Big East in rushing every season, and it isn’t a coincidence. Magee, who is now the assistant head coach / offensive coordinator in Morgantown, has directed one of the nation’s most prolific rushing offenses for the past six years.

Bill Young, Kansas Not that familiar with the Kansas defense ? The oversight is forgivable, because the Jayhawks’ offense is loud and explosive. But as important to Kansas’ magical season has been the Jayhawks ’ defense. The Jayhawks’ defense quietly put up numbers as impressive as the more-heralded offense, but without a lot of flashy stars. And leading the way is their nonflashy, hard-working defensive coordinator, Bill Young, who has a resume as impressive as any of the Broyles ’ Award finalists. Kansas led the Big 12 in total defense, allowing only 318. 3 yards per game, which was also good enough for 14 th nationally, and scoring defense, allowing 16. 0 points per game, good enough for fourth nationally. The Jayhawks also finished second in the Big 12 in rushing defense after allowing only 91. 4 rushing yards per game (seventh-best in the nation ).