Ohio State's Daniels, OU's Venables among Broyles Award finalists

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) Troy Smith's quarterbacks coach is one of five finalists for the Broyles Award, given annually to the nation's top assistant football coach. <br/><br/>Joe Daniels of Ohio

Wednesday, November 29th 2006, 5:16 am

By: News On 6

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) Troy Smith's quarterbacks coach is one of five finalists for the Broyles Award, given annually to the nation's top assistant football coach.

Joe Daniels of Ohio State was announced as a finalist last night, less than two weeks before Smith is favored to win the Heisman Trophy.

Joining Daniels as finalists are Arkansas defensive coordinator Reggie Herring, Louisville offensive coordinator Paul Petrino, Oklahoma defensive coordinator Brent Venables and Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster.

Venables has led the Sooners back from a 34-33 loss at Oregon early in the season. Oklahoma is 14th in the nation in total defense and has won seven in a row entering Saturday night's Big 12 Conference championship game against Nebraska.

The winner will be announced January 16th in Little Rock, Arkansas.