JEFF PIERCE AMONG LIBERTY MUTUAL'S TOP VOTE GETTERS

Ferris Coach Currently Third In 2006 Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Balloting

Jeff Pierce, the all-time winningest head coach in Ferris State University football history, is presently in third place among NCAA Division II head coaches in fan balloting for the 2006 Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award.

Pierce is listed third behind Minnesota State Moorhead's Damon Tomeo (first) and Danny Hale (second) of Bloomsburg State. Chuck Langston of Central Oklahoma and Valdosta State's Chris Hatcher round out the top five vote getters to date.

The award honors the college football coach who best exemplifies responsibility and excellence both on and off the field. A selection committee including members of the College Football Hall of Fame, the national media and fans will help choose the winner.

The Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year will receive a personal trophy, which will be featured in the December 16 television special, and will be recognized in a Coach of the Year exhibit at the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Ind. Liberty Mutual also will award $100,000 to support the winning coach's civic and charitable activities, and $20,000 for scholarships to the alumni association of the winning coach's school.

Bulldog fans across the nation can vote for Coach Pierce until November 5 by visiting www.coachoftheyear.com or by clicking on the voting link below.

Following the initial fan voting (Sept. 8-Nov. 5), a second phase (Nov. 8-20) will be conducted and feature online fan voting for the 10 finalists. The finalists will also be judged individually by the selection committee.

Fans who go online to vote will be entered into a sweepstakes drawing to win a trip for four to the 93rd Rose Bowl Game in Pasadena, Calif., on January 1, 2007. Fans may vote daily although will only be permitted one sweepstakes entry per email address.

ABC will air a one-hour program, hosted by Hall of Fame broadcaster Keith Jackson, profiling the 10 Liberty of Mutual Coach of the Year finalists on Saturday, Dec. 9, from 2-3 p.m. (ET) and 4-5 p.m. (PT). The winner will be showcased on a one-hour ABC special Saturday, Dec. 16, which will also be hosted by Keith Jackson. Program times are 2-3 p.m. (ET) and 4-5 p.m. (PT).

"I was pleased, but certainly not surprised to hear that Coach Jeff Pierce was nominated for this award. I have known Jeff for alot of years and have seen him come up through the FSU football ranks as a player, and witnessed him in many different coaching roles along the way to head coach, " said FSU Gridiron Club President and local businessperson John Milan. "I have been able to get upclose, not only with Jeff, but with many of his players who have shared so many positive experiences that it makes me proud to associate with such a high quality person.

"As impressive as this is, somehow Jeff finds the time to partner with the community through various fundraisers. His generosity to the community is only topped by his commitment to his family. It's not easy as a full time college football coach to participate in many family functions, because of the sacrifice it takes to keep a very high quality program at a competitive level, but I've seen Jeff squeeze the schedule, to attend (even for a few minutes), many of his son's events to show his support. This type of role model leadership makes a huge impact on his players, the community and his family," added Milan.

Pierce, who's currently in his 12th year as Ferris State's head coach, has compiled a 73-54-0 overall coaching record (.575 winning pct.). He was honored as the 1995 conference Coach of the Year and then guided the Bulldogs to their highest-finish ever with a semifinal appearance in the 1995 NCAA Division II Championship Playoffs.