BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – Bowling Green special teams coordinator and tight end coach Alex Bayer is one of 65 nominees for this year's Broyles Award, announced the Frank & Barbara Broyles Foundation. The Broyles Award has honored college football's top assistant coach for the past 29 years. He is the only MAC assistant coach on the list.
 
The 65 nominees in this year's class were selected from approximately 1,500 assistant coaches representing 131 FBS programs across the country. The Broyles Award selection process includes the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), broadcasters, a college football hall-of-fame selection committee, and current college head coaches.
 
Between Bayer's position groups, he has coached tight end Harold Fannin Jr., who is a finalist for the John Mackey Award and was a semifinalist for the Biletnikoff Award, and John Henderson was a semifinalist for the Ray Guy Award as the nation's top punter. 
 
Fannin (Jr., Canton, Ohio) leads the nation with 1,295 receiving yards. He leads the nation's tight ends in 21+ offensive categories, including receptions (92), yards after catch (719), first downs (62), broken tackles (29), and receiving touchdowns (9). According to Pro Football Focus, Fannin has the nation's highest overall grade (97.0) and ranks No. 1 in pass routes grade (97.2) among all receivers. Nationally, he is additionally ranked No. 2 in receptions, T-No. 1 in broken tackles, No. 2 in first downs, and No. 1 in yards after catch.

Fannin ranks third all-time in FBS history for single-season receiving yards by a tight end. He needs just 58 yards to surpass the FBS record of 1,352 yards, set by Texas Tech's Jace Amaro in 2013. With 92 receptions this season, Fannin is third all-time in single-season catches by a tight end. He needs 20 more receptions to break the record held by Rice's James Casey, who totaled 111 in 2008.
 
BGSU's special teams has been special in 2024. They were graded most of the season in the top 5 per Pro Football Focus in overall grade and currently rank No. 18. BGSU ranks No. 3 in the nation with three punt blocks, No. 9 in overall blocked kicks and No. 7 in punt return yards allowed.
 
Henderson was one of eight semifinalists for the Ray Guy Award. He was the only MAC player on the list. Henderson is No. 29 in the nation and No. 1 in the MAC in net punting at 41.3 yards per punt.
 
A selection committee of distinguished former head coaches, broadcasters and a committee representing the FWAA will select 15 semifinalists, five finalists from the list of nominees, and an overall winner.   
 
Previous winners are not eligible to be nominated for the Broyles Award until the completion of three seasons. The Broyles Award is presented by Oaklawn, Hot Springs, Ark. Proceeds from the 2024 Broyles Award support the Broyles Foundation's mission to provide a game plan for Alzheimer's caregivers through education, support, and resources.