HOT SPRINGS, Ark. -- ULM Football Defensive Coordinator Earnest Hill has been selected as a nominee for the 2024 Broyles Award, the Frank & Barbara Broyles Foundation announced.

The annual Broyles Award celebrates excellence in assistant coaching, and has been the premier award for college football's top assistant coach since 1996. The award was founded by Frank Broyles and David Bazzel. The 65 nominees in this year's class were selected from approximately 1,500 assistant coaches representing 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.

In his first season as defensive coordinator, Hill has improved ULM's average points allowed total by nearly seven points from the 2023 season. ULM leads the Sun Belt Conference in passing yards allowed per game (183.5) and is third with two defensive touchdowns from Car'lin Vigers' pick six against UAB and Daniel Knudsen's scoop-and-score versus James Madison. Wydett Williams was named SBC Player of the Week following his week one performance versus Jackson State that helped lead ULM to a season-opening victory. The Warhawks did not allow a touchdown in two games this season and have forced 12 turnovers.

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. Semifinalists for the award will be announced on Monday, Dec. 2, and finalists will be announced on Monday, Dec. 9. The winner will be announced on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025, at the Broyles Award ceremony at Oaklawn in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

ULM will conclude the regular season with The Battle on the Bayou versus the Ragin' Cajuns on Saturday (Nov. 30) at Malone Stadium on ESPNU with an 11 a.m. kickoff.