Villanova's Talley named AFCA Coach of the Year

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (December 9, 2008) -- Villanova University head
football coach Andy Talley has been named American Football Coaches
Association (AFCA) 2008 Region I Coach of the Year. The AFCA recognizes
five regional Coach of the Year winners in each of the association's
five divisions (FBS, FCS, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA).
The winners are selected by active members of the AFCA who vote for
coaches in their respective regions and divisions.

Talley earned the honor after leading the Wildcats to a 10-3 overall
record and a 7-1 CAA Football conference mark in 2008. Villanova
finished the regular season ranked No. 6 in the country and advanced to
the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Division I National Championships.
The 10-win season marks the fourth time during Talley's regime he has
guided the Wildcats to a 10-or-more win campaign. It was also the
seventh playoff appearance for Talley at Villanova.

This is the fourth time in Talley's career he has earned AFCA Region
Coach of the Year honors. He garnered the award in his fourth season at
St. Lawrence University in 1982 and also in 1991 and 1997 at Villanova.

The Berwyn, Pa., native has an overall coaching mark of 193-119-2 (.618)
in 29 years and is 165-101-1 (.620) in 24 years at Villanova.  The
Wildcats' head coach also took over the top spot on the CAA Football
all-time winningest head coach list when he guided his squad past New
Hampshire, Nov. 8.  The 21-year veteran of CAA Football coaching
(Atlantic 10, Yankee Conference) will begin his 25th season at Villanova
in 2009 with 100 all-time conference wins.