Little Rock, Ark.-----San Jose State University football defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Kent Baer is one of 29 candidates for the 2012 Broyles Award.

            Established in 1996, the award recognizes the top assistant coach among the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) schools in Division I.

            In 2012, Baer is coordinating one of the top defenses in the country. San Jose State (9-2, 4-1 WAC) ranks in the top-10 in fumble recoveries (1^st tied), quarterback sacks (5^th) and turnovers gained (8^th tied). The Spartans also are in the top-25 for scoring defense (23^rd) and total defense (22^nd).

            Completing his fifth season at San Jose State, Baer was a top-five finalist for the 2002 Broyles Award when he was the University of Notre Dame's defensive coordinator.

            San Jose State is the eighth Division I school in which Baer served as a defensive coordinator. His other stints were at Washington, Notre Dame, Stanford, Arizona State, California, Idaho and Utah State, his alma mater.

            Five finalists will be announced on November 26. The 2012 winner will be announced on December 4.

2012 Broyles Award nominees (alphabetically)

• Blake Anderson, University of North Carolina, Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
• Dave Aranda, Utah State University, Defensive Coordinator
• Kent Baer, San Jose State University, Defensive coordinator/Linebackers coach
• Mark Banker, Oregon State University, Defensive Coordinator
• Tim Beck, Nebraska, Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
• Mike Bobo, Georgia, Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
• Bob Diaco, University of Notre Dame, Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
• Tony Franklin, Louisiana Tech, Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
• Art Kaufman, Texas Tech University, Defensive Coordinator
• Charles Kelly, Georgia Tech, Defensive Coordinator
• Brent Key, University of Central Florida, Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Line Coach
• Kliff Kingsbury, Texas A&M, Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach
• Rhett Lashlee, Arkansas State University, Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach
• Matt Lubick, Duke University, Passing Game Coordinator; Wide Receivers Coach
• Calvin Magee, University of Arizona, Co-Offensive Coordinator/Running Backs
• Greg Mattison, University of Michigan, Defensive Coordinator
• Noel Mazzone, UCLA, Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks Coach
• Todd Monken, Oklahoma State, Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
• Chad Morris, Clemson, Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
• Dan Quinn, Florida, Defensive Coordinator
• Scott Shafer, Syracuse University, Defensive Coordinator
• Rich Skrosky, Ball State, Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
• Robb Smith, Rutgers, Defensive Coordinator/Secondary Coach
• Mark Stoops, Florida State University, Defensive Coordinator/Secondary
• Mike Summers, Kentucky, Offensive Line
• Nick Toth, Fresno State, Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
• Lorenzo Ward, University of South Carolina, Defensive Coordinator
• Ed Warinner, Ohio State University, Co-Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line
• Bobby Williams, University of Alabama, Tight Ends/Special Teams