Offered is a 2001 Lou Holtz Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Award plaque. The 12 x 15-inch brown wood plaque features the gold and black image of the legendary University of Alabama head football coach embossed at the top center, and engraved in black with the legend "American Heart Association and the National Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association Congratulates", followed by the caption "Lou Holtz University of South Carolina" in gold, with the legend "Finalist 2000 Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Award January 17, 2001 Houston, Texas" in black. In his second season as head coach after coming out of retirement, Holtz guided South Carolina as they made one of the biggest turnarounds in college football history, going from a winless season in 1999 to an eight-win campaign in 2000. Their first win of the season, against New Mexico State, came two years to the day after their previous win, against Ball State on September 2, 1998. South Carolina's turnaround in conference play was also one of the biggest in SEC history, going from 0–8 in 1999, to 5–3 in 2000 including a victory against a heavily favored Georgia team that ended the Gamecocks' SEC losing streak. South Carolina fans tore down the goalposts at Williams-Brice Stadium on both occasions in celebration. On New Year's Day 2001, the Gamecocks defeated Ohio State in the Outback Bowl in Tampa, Florida. South Carolina finished the season ranked #19 in the AP Poll and #21 in the Coaches Poll. This item comes with a LOA from Lou Holtz and 100% of the net proceeds from the sale of this item will be donated to the Holtz Charitable Foundation, Inc.

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