# Conference USA football individual awards

The Conference USA currently gives seven individual football awards at the conclusion of every season. The seven awards are Most Valuable Player, Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Special Teams Player of the Year, Newcomer of the Year, Freshman of the Year, and Coach of the Year. Recipients are selected by the votes of the conference's head coaches.

## Player of the Year

Positions key :
| QB | Quarterback | RB | Running back | WR | Wide receiver | RS | Return specialist |
| Class key ||||||||
| Fr | Freshman | So | Sophomore | Jr | Junior | Sr | Senior |

### Winners

| Season | Player | School | Position | Class |
| 2008 | Chase Clement | Rice | QB | Sr |
| 2009 | Case Keenum | Houston | QB | Jr |
| 2010 | Dwayne Harris | East Carolina | WR/RS | Sr |
| 2011 | Case Keenum (2) | Houston | QB | Sr |
| 2012 | Rakeem Cato | Marshall | QB | So |
| 2013 | Shane Carden | East Carolina | QB | Jr |
| 2014 | Brandon Doughty | Western Kentucky | QB | Jr |
| 2015 | Brandon Doughty (2) | Western Kentucky | QB | Sr |
| 2016 | Ryan Higgins | Louisiana Tech | QB | Sr |
| 2017 | Devin Singletary | Florida Atlantic | RB | So |
| 2018 | Brent Stockstill | Middle Tennessee State | QB | Sr |
| 2019 | Brenden Knox | Marshall | RB | So |
| 2020 | Jaelon Darden | North Texas | WR/RS | Sr |
| 2021 | Bailey Zappe | Western Kentucky | QB | Sr |
| 2022 | Frank Harris | UTSA | QB | Sr |
| 2023 | Kaidon Salter | Liberty | QB | So |
| 2024 | Tyler Huff | Jacksonville State | QB | Sr |

### Winners by school

| School (Seasons) | Winners | Years |
| Western Kentucky (2014–present) | 3 | 2014, 2015, 2021 |
| East Carolina (1997–2014) | 2 | 2010, 2013 |
| Houston (1996–2013) | 2 | 2009, 2011 |
| Marshall (2005–2022) | 2 | 2012, 2019 |
| Florida Atlantic (2013–2023) | 1 | 2017 |
| Jacksonville State (2023–present) | 1 | 2024 |
| Liberty (2023–present) | 1 | 2023 |
| Louisiana Tech (2013–present) | 1 | 2016 |
| Middle Tennessee State (2013–present) | 1 | 2018 |
| North Texas (2013–2023) | 1 | 2020 |
| Rice (2005–2023) | 1 | 2008 |
| UTSA (2013–2023) | 1 | 2022 |

## Offensive Player of the Year

The Offensive Player of the Year is awarded to the player voted most outstanding at an offensive position.

### Winners

Positions key :
| QB | Quarterback | RB | Running back | TE | Tight end | WR | Wide receiver |
| Class key ||||||||
| Fr | Freshman | So | Sophomore | Jr | Junior | Sr | Senior |
| Season | Player | School | Position | Class |
| 1996 | Antowain Smith | Houston | RB | Sr |
| 1997 | Shaun King | Tulane | QB | Jr |
| 1998 | Chris Redman | Louisville | QB | Jr |
| 1999 | Chris Redman (2) | Louisville | QB | Sr |
| 2000 | Dave Ragone | Louisville | QB | So |
| 2001 | Dave Ragone (2) | Louisville | QB | Jr |
| 2002 | Dave Ragone (3) | Louisville | QB | Sr |
| 2003 | DeAngelo Williams | Memphis | RB | So |
| 2004 | DeAngelo Williams (2) | Memphis | RB | Jr |
| 2004 | Stefan Lefors | Louisville | QB | Sr |
| 2005 | DeAngelo Williams (3) | Memphis | RB | Sr |
| 2006 | Kevin Kolb | Houston | QB | Sr |
| 2007 | Paul Smith | Tulsa | QB | Sr |
| 2008 | Case Keenum | Houston | QB | So |
| 2009 | Joe Webb | UAB | QB | Sr |
| 2010 | G.J. Kinne | Tulsa | QB | Jr |
| 2011 | Patrick Edwards | Houston | WR | Sr |
| 2012 | Zach Line | SMU | RB | Sr |
| 2013 | Rakeem Cato | Marshall | QB | Jr |
| 2014 | Rakeem Cato (2) | Marshall | QB | Sr |
| 2015 | Nick Mullens | Southern Miss | QB | Jr |
| 2016 | Carlos Henderson | Louisiana Tech | WR | Jr |
| 2017 | Mason Fine | North Texas | QB | So |
| 2018 | Mason Fine (2) | North Texas | QB | Jr |
| 2019 | J'mar Smith | Louisiana Tech | QB | Sr |
| 2020 | Sincere McCormick | UTSA | RB | So |
| 2021 | Sincere McCormick (2) | UTSA | RB | Jr |
| 2022 | DeWayne McBride | UAB | RB | Jr |
| 2023 | Diego Pavia | New Mexico State | QB | Sr |
| 2024 | Caden Veltkamp | Western Kentucky | QB | So |

### Winners by school

| School (Seasons) | Winners | Years |
| Louisville (1996–2005) | 6 | 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004 |
| Houston (1996–2013) | 4 | 1996, 2006, 2008, 2011 |
| Memphis (1996–2013) | 3 | 2003, 2004, 2005 |
| Louisiana Tech (2013–present) | 2 | 2016, 2019 |
| Marshall (2005–2022) | 2 | 2013, 2014 |
| North Texas (2013–2023) | 2 | 2017, 2018 |
| Tulsa (2005–2014) | 2 | 2007, 2010 |
| UAB (1999–2015, 2017–2023) | 2 | 2009, 2022 |
| UTSA (2013–2023) | 2 | 2020, 2021 |
| New Mexico State (2023–present) | 1 | 2023 |
| SMU (2005–2013) | 1 | 2012 |
| Southern Miss (1996–2022) | 1 | 2015 |
| Tulane (1996–2014) | 1 | 1997 |
| Western Kentucky (2014–present) | 1 | 2024 |

## Defensive Player of the Year

The Defensive Player of the Year is awarded to the player voted most outstanding at a defensive position.

### Winners

Positions key :
| DE | Defensive end | DT | Defensive tackle | LB | Linebacker | DB | Defensive back |
| Class key ||||||||
| Fr | Freshman | So | Sophomore | Jr | Junior | Sr | Senior |
| Season | Player | School | Position | Class |
| 1996 | Tyrus McCloud | Louisville | LB | Sr |
| 1997 | Patrick Surtain | Southern Miss | DB` | Sr |
| 1998 | Adalius Thomas | Southern Miss | DE | Jr |
| 1999 | Adalius Thomas (2) | Southern Miss | DE | Sr |
| 2000 | Cedric Scott | Southern Miss | DE | Sr |
| 2000 | Wayne Rogers | Houston | LB | Sr |
| 2001 | Dewayne White | Louisville | DE | So |
| 2002 | Lamarcus McDonald | TCU | LB | Jr |
| 2003 | Rod Davis | Southern Miss | LB | Jr |
| 2004 | Michael Boley | Southern Miss | LB | Sr |
| 2005 | Kevis Coley | Southern Miss | LB | Sr |
| 2006 | Albert McClellan | Marshall | DL | So |
| 2006 | Nick Bunting | Tulsa | LB | Sr |
| 2007 | Gerald McRath | Southern Miss | LB | So |
| 2008 | Phillip Hunt | Houston | DL | Sr |
| 2009 | Bruce Miller | UCF | DE | Jr |
| 2010 | Bruce Miller (2) | UCF | DE | Sr |
| 2011 | Vinny Curry | Marshall | DE | Sr |
| 2012 | Kemal Ishmael | UCF | DB | Sr |
| 2013 | Shawn Jackson | Tulsa | LB | Sr |
| 2014 | Neville Hewitt | Marshall | LB | Sr |
| 2015 | Evan McKelvey | Marshall | LB | Sr |
| 2016 | Trey Hendrickson | Florida Atlantic | DE | Sr |
| 2017 | Marcus Davenport | UTSA | DE | Sr |
| 2018 | Jaylon Ferguson | Louisiana Tech | LB | Sr |
| 2019 | DeAngelo Malone | Western Kentucky | LB | Jr |
| 2020 | Tavante Beckett | Marshall | LB | Sr |
| 2021 | DeAngelo Malone (2) | Western Kentucky | LB | Sr |
| 2022 | KD Davis | North Texas | LB | Sr |
| 2023 | Tyren Dupree | Liberty | LB | Sr |
| 2024 | Travion Barnes | FIU | LB | Sr |

### Winners by school

| School (Seasons) | Winners | Years |
| Southern Miss (1996–2022) | 8 | 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007 |
| Marshall (2005–2022) | 5 | 2006, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2020 |
| UCF (2005–2013) | 3 | 2009, 2010, 2012 |
| Houston (1996–2013) | 2 | 2000, 2008 |
| Louisville (1996–2005) | 2 | 1996, 2001 |
| Tulsa (2005–2014) | 2 | 2006, 2013 |
| Western Kentucky (2014–present) | 2 | 2019, 2021 |
| FIU (2013–present) | 1 | 2024 |
| Florida Atlantic (2013–2023) | 1 | 2016 |
| Liberty (2023–present) | 1 | 2023 |
| Louisiana Tech (2013–present) | 1 | 2018 |
| North Texas (2013–2023) | 1 | 2022 |
| TCU (2001–2005) | 1 | 2002 |
| UTSA (2013–2023) | 1 | 2017 |

## Special Teams Player of the Year

The Special Teams Player of the Year award is given to the player voted best on special teams. The recipient can either be a placekicker, punter, returner, or a position known as a gunner.

### Winners

Positions key :
| PK | Placekicker | KR | Kick returner | P | Punter | PR | Punt returner | RS | Return specialist |
| Class key ||||||||||
| Fr | Freshman | So | Sophomore | Jr | Junior | Sr | Senior |
| Season | Player | School | Position | Class |
| 1996 | Jeff Liggon | Tulane | KR | Sr |
| 1997 | Tinker Keck | Cincinnati | PR | Fr |
| 1998 | Ryan White | Memphis | PK | Fr |
| 1999 | Rodregis Brooks | UAB | PR | Fr |
| 2000 | Jonathan Ruffin | Cincinnati | PK | So |
| 2001 | Seth Marler | Tulane | PK | Jr |
| 2002 | Broderick Clark | Louisville | KR | Fr |
| 2003 | Nick Browne | TCU | PK | Jr |
| 2004 | John Eubanks | Southern Miss | KR | Jr |
| 2005 | Stephen Gostkowski | Memphis | PK | Sr |
| 2006 | Johnnie Lee Higgins | UTEP | RS | Sr |
| 2007 | Chris Johnson | East Carolina | KR | Sr |
| 2008 | Joe Burnett | UCF | RS | Sr |
| 2009 | Dwayne Harris | East Carolina | KR | Sr |
| 2010 | Damaris Johnson | Tulsa | RS | Jr |
| 2011 | Tyron Carrier | Houston | KR | Sr |
| 2012 | Quincy McDuffie | UCF | KR | Sr |
| 2013 | Brelan Chancellor | North Texas | RS | Sr |
| 2014 | J.J. Nelson | UAB | KR | Sr |
| 2015 | Deandre Reaves | Marshall | RS | Sr |
| 2016 | Carlos Henderson | Louisiana Tech | KR | Jr |
| 2017 | Isaiah Harper | Old Dominion | KR | Jr |
| 2018 | Jack Fox | Rice | P | Sr |
| 2019 | Justin Rohrwasser | Marshall | PK | Sr |
| 2020 | Lucas Dean | UTSA | P | So |
| 2021 | Tommy Heatherly | FIU | P | Sr |
| 2022 | Gavin Baechle | UTEP | PK | Sr |
| 2023 | Ethan Albertson | New Mexico State | PK | Sr |
| 2024 | Lucas Carneiro | Western Kentucky | PK | Jr |

### Winners by school

| School (Seasons) | Winners | Years |
| Cincinnati (1996–2005) | 2 | 1997, 2000 |
| East Carolina (1997–2014) | 2 | 2007, 2009 |
| Marshall (2005–2022) | 2 | 2015, 2019 |
| Memphis (1996–2013) | 2 | 1998, 2005 |
| Tulane (1996–2014) | 2 | 1996, 2001 |
| UAB (1999–2015, 2017–2023) | 2 | 1999, 2014 |
| UCF (2005–2013) | 2 | 2008, 2012 |
| UTEP (2005–2026) | 2 | 2006, 2022 |
| FIU (2013–present) | 1 | 2021 |
| Houston (1996–2013) | 1 | 2011 |
| Louisiana Tech (2013–present) | 1 | 2016 |
| Louisville (1996–2005) | 1 | 2002 |
| New Mexico State (2023–present) | 1 | 2023 |
| North Texas (2013–2023) | 1 | 2013 |
| Old Dominion (2014–2022) | 1 | 2017 |
| Rice (2005–2023) | 1 | 2018 |
| Southern Miss (1996–2022) | 1 | 2004 |
| TCU (2001–2005) | 1 | 2003 |
| Tulsa (2005–2014) | 1 | 2010 |
| UTSA (2013–2023) | 1 | 2020 |
| Western Kentucky (2014–present) | 1 | 2024 |

## Freshman of the Year

The Freshman of the Year award is given to the conference's best freshman.

### Winners

| Season | Player | School | Position |
| 1996 | Ketric Sanford | Houston | RB/KR |
| 1997 | Jason McKinley | Houston | QB |
| 1998 | Derrick Nix | Southern Miss | RB |
| 1999 | LaDaris Vann | Cincinnati | WR |
| 1999 | Travis Anglin | Memphis | QB |
| 2000 | Mewelde Moore | Tulane | RB |
| 2001 | Gino Guidugli | Cincinnati | QB |
| 2002 | Lonta Hobbs | TCU | RB |
| 2003 | Kevin Kolb | Houston | QB |
| 2004 | Brian Brohm | Louisville | QB |
| 2005 | Kevin Smith | UCF | RB |
| 2006 | Justin Willis | SMU | QB |
| 2007 | Case Keenum | Houston | QB |
| 2008 | Bryce Beall | Houston | RB |
| 2009 | Charles Sims | Houston | RB |
| 2010 | Jeff Godfrey | UCF | QB |
| 2011 | Jeremy Grove | East Carolina | LB |
| 2012 | Kevin Grooms | Marshall | RB |
| 2013 | Corey Tindal | Marshall | DB |
| 2013 | Nico Marley | Tulane | LB |
| 2014 | Ray Lawry | Old Dominon | RB |
| 2015 | Brent Stockstill | Middle Tennessee State | QB |
| 2016 | Josiah Tauaefa | UTSA | LB |
| 2017 | Spencer Brown | UAB | RB |
| 2018 | Chris Robison | Florida Atlantic | QB |
| 2018 | Isaiah Green | Marshall | QB |
| 2019 | Sincere McCormick | UTSA | RB |
| 2020 | Grant Wells | Marshall | QB |
| 2021 | Elijah Spencer | Charlotte | WR |
| 2022 | Kevorian Barnes | UTSA | RB |
| 2023 | Michael Richard | Louisiana Tech | DB |
| 2024 | DJ McKinney | Sam Houston | RB |

### Winners by school

| School (Seasons) | Winners | Years |
| Houston (1996–2013) | 6 | 1996, 1997, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009 |
| Marshall (2005–2022) | 4 | 2012, 2013, 2018, 2020 |
| UTSA (2013–2023) | 3 | 2016, 2019, 2022 |
| Cincinnati (1996–2005) | 2 | 1999, 2001 |
| Tulane (1996–2014) | 2 | 2000, 2013 |
| UCF (2005–2013) | 2 | 2005, 2010 |
| Charlotte (2015–2023) | 1 | 2021 |
| East Carolina (1997–2014) | 1 | 2011 |
| Florida Atlantic (2013–2023) | 1 | 2018 |
| Louisiana Tech (2013–present) | 1 | 2023 |
| Louisville (1996–2005) | 1 | 2004 |
| Memphis (1996–2013) | 1 | 1999 |
| Middle Tennessee State (2013–present) | 1 | 2015 |
| Old Dominion (2014–2022) | 1 | 2014 |
| Sam Houston (2023–present) | 1 | 2024 |
| SMU (2005–2013) | 1 | 2006 |
| Southern Miss (1996–2022) | 1 | 1998 |
| TCU (2001–2005) | 1 | 2002 |
| UAB (1999–2015, 2017–2023) | 1 | 2017 |

## Newcomer of the Year

The Newcomer of the Year award is given to the conference's best transfer.

### Winners

| Season | Player | School | Position |
| 2007 | Brennan Marion | Tulsa | WR |
| 2008 | Curtis Steele | Memphis | RB |
| 2009 | James Cleveland | Houston | WR |
| 2010 | Dominique Davis | East Carolina | QB |
| 2011 | D.J. Hayden | Houston | DB |
| 2012 | Vintavious Coope | East Carolina | RB |
| 2013 | Jaquez Johnson | Florida Atlantic | QB |
| 2014 | Cody Sokol | Louisiana Tech | QB |
| 2015 | Jeff Driskel | Louisiana Tech | QB |
| 2016 | Mike White | Western Kentucky | QB |
| 2017 | Jalen Guyton | North Texas | WR |
| 2017 | Teddy Veal | Louisiana Tech | WR |
| 2018 | James Morgan | FIU | QB |
| 2019 | Ty Storey | Western Kentucky | QB |
| 2020 | Luke Anthony | Louisiana Tech | QB |
| 2021 | Jerreth Sterns | Western Kentucky | WR |
| 2022 | Austin Reed | Western Kentucky | QB |
| 2023 | Quinton Cooley | Liberty | RB |
| 2024 | Tyler Huff | Jacksonville State | QB |

### Winners by school

| School (Seasons) | Winners | Years |
| Louisiana Tech (2013–present) | 4 | 2014, 2015, 2017, 2020 |
| Western Kentucky (2014–present) | 4 | 2016, 2019, 2021, 2022 |
| East Carolina (1997–2014) | 2 | 2010, 2012 |
| Houston (1996–2013) | 2 | 2009, 2011 |
| FIU (2013–present) | 1 | 2018 |
| Florida Atlantic (2013–2023) | 1 | 2013 |
| Jacksonville State (2023–present) | 1 | 2024 |
| Liberty (2023–present) | 1 | 2023 |
| Memphis (1996–2013) | 1 | 2008 |
| North Texas (2013–2023) | 1 | 2017 |
| Tulsa (2005–2014) | 1 | 2007 |

## Coach of the Year
### Winners

| Season | Coach | School | Record |
| 1996 | Kim Helton | Houston | 7-5 |
| 1997 | Jeff Bower | Southern Miss | 9-3 |
| 1998 | Tommy Bowden | Tulane | 11-0 |
| 1999 | Jeff Bower (2) | Southern Miss | 9-3 |
| 2000 | John Smith | Louisville | 9-3 |
| 2001 | John Smith (2) | Louisville | 11-2 |
| 2002 | Gary Patterson | TCU | 10-2 |
| 2003 | Jeff Bower (3) | Southern Miss | 9-4 |
| 2004 | Bobby Petrino | Louisville | 11-1 |
| 2005 | George O'Leary | UCF | 8-5 |
| 2006 | Art Briles | Houston | 10-4 |
| 2006 | Todd Graham | Rice | 7-6 |
| 2007 | George O'Leary (2) | UCF | 10-4 |
| 2008 | David Bailiff | Rice | 10-3 |
| 2009 | Kevin Sumlin | Houston | 10-4 |
| 2010 | George O'Leary (3) | UCF | 11-3 |
| 2011 | Kevin Sumlin (2) | Houston | 12-1 |
| 2012 | Bill Blankenship | Tulsa | 11-3 |
| 2013 | David Bailiff (2) | Rice | 10-4 |
| 2014 | Bill Clark | UAB | 6-6 |
| 2015 | Todd Monken | Southern Miss | 9-5 |
| 2016 | Skip Holtz | Louisiana Tech | 9-5 |
| 2017 | Bill Clark (2) | UAB | 8-5 |
| 2018 | Rick Stockstill | Middle Tennessee State | 8-6 |
| 2019 | Tyson Helton | Western Kentucky | 9-4 |
| 2020 | Doc Holliday | Marshall | 7-3 |
| 2021 | Jeff Traylor | UTSA | 12-2 |
| 2022 | Jeff Traylor (2) | UTSA | 11-3 |
| 2023 | Jamey Chadwell | Liberty | 13-1 |
| 2023 | Jerry Kill | New Mexico State | 10-5 |
| 2024 | Rich Rodriguez | Jacksonville State | 9-5 |

### Winners by school

| School (Seasons) | Winners | Years |
| Houston (1996–2013) | 4 | 1996, 2006, 2009, 2011 |
| Southern Miss (1996–2022) | 4 | 1997, 1999, 2003, 2015 |
| Louisville (1996–2005) | 3 | 2000, 2001, 2004 |
| Rice (2005–2023) | 3 | 2006, 2008, 2013 |
| UCF (2005–2013) | 3 | 2005, 2007, 2010 |
| UAB (1999–2015, 2017–2023) | 2 | 2014, 2017 |
| UTSA (2013–2023) | 2 | 2021, 2022 |
| Jacksonville State (2023–present) | 1 | 2024 |
| Liberty (2023–present) | 1 | 2023 |
| Louisiana Tech (2013–present) | 1 | 2016 |
| Marshall (2005–2022) | 1 | 2020 |
| Middle Tennessee State (2013–present) | 1 | 2018 |
| New Mexico State (2023–present) | 1 | 2023 |
| TCU (2001–2005) | 1 | 2002 |
| Tulane (1996–2014) | 1 | 1998 |
| Tulsa (2005–2014) | 1 | 2012 |
| Western Kentucky (2014–present) | 1 | 2019 |