Here are nominations for the 1981 Coach of the Year and Rookie of the Year awards. Please look them over and write in your selections, along with offensive and defensive MVP, in the space for the final question on the SurveyMonkey form. I will send you the link to the ballot shortly.
Coach of the YearHonolulu Hawaiians, trslick: Hawaiians finished 14-2, including a seven-game win streak to end the season, won their second consecutive Pacific Division title, and were the No. 2 seed for the American Conference playoffs.
Denver Gold, AlexanDragon: Denver (11-4-1) won its first-ever West Division title and made the playoffs for the first time since 1974. This team was 3-13 the first season after AlexanDragon took the reins (1976).
Arizona Wranglers, Smirt211: Wranglers made the playoffs for the second time in club history, winning six of seven late in the season. Six of Arizona’s seven losses were by 6 points or fewer.
Oklahoma Outlaws, RoyceR: The Outlaws (14-2) were the No. 1 seed for the American Conference playoffs and are 39-9 in three seasons under RoyceR.
Chicago Blitz, CrimsonWolfZ: Blitz finished 12-4, won the Midwest Division, and made their first postseason appearance since 1975.
Jacksonville Bulls, hectorg: The Bulls (8-8) won their first Southeast Division title and made their first playoff appearance since 1975.
Shreveport Steamer, Loftusranger: Steamer (11-5) qualified for the playoffs for the sixth time in the last seven seasons and claimed their second South Division championship.
Baltimore Stars, Duval: Stars got off to an 11-0 start and finished 14-2. They won the first Atlantic Division title in franchise history, made the playoffs for the first time since 1974, and set a club record for victories in a season. They also posted a remarkable turnaround from a 2-14 season in 1980.
New Jersey Generals, raidergreg69: New Jersey (13-3) claimed its fourth consecutive East Division crown and made the playoffs for the sixth time in eight seasons.
Philadelphia Bell, jaybo911: Philadelphia qualified for the postseason for the first time in club history, beating Honolulu and Shreveport along the way.
New York Stars, brxinivy: New York (8-8) won six of its last seven to earn a wild-card spot, including wins over playoff contenders Charlotte, Philadelphia, Shreveport, and Georgia.
Offensive Rookie of the YearThomas Bellanger, C, POR: 1,160 plays, 2 sacks allowed, 0 penalty yards. All-Pro nominee. Rookie of the Week 9 times.
Ronald Boatman, RB, HON: 851 YD rushing, 5.1 YPC, 5 TD; 139 REC, 581 YD, 3 TD. All-Pro nominee. Rookie of the Week 7 times. Set USFL/WFL records for receptions in a season (139) and in a game (21 vs. SCS).
Ernest Lynch, RB, NYS: 1,079 YDS rushing 4.4 YPC, 5 TD; 110 REC, 476 YDs, 2 TD. All-Pro nominee. Rookie of the Week 5 times
Jimmy Clark, RB, TAM: 713 YDS rushing, 5.5 YPC, 6 TD; 42 REC, 301 YDS, 2TD. Rookie of the Week 4 times.
Don "Donkey" Kong, LT, NJG: 1,189 plays, 3 sacks allowed, 46 penalty yards. All-Pro nominee. Rookie of the Week 2 times.
Defensive Rookie of the YearJim Grisby, SLB, TAM: 104 tackles, 4 sacks, 5 hurries, 2 INT. All-Pro nominee. Rookie of the Week 5 times.
Troy Irwin, MLB, LAX: 61 tackles, 1 sack, 1 hurry, 2 INT. Rookie of the Week 4 times.
Brian Davis, WLB, MEM: 96 tackles, 5 sacks, 2 hurries, 3 INT. Rookie of the Week 3 times.
Randy Franklin, CB, GAF: 74 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 hurry, 3 INT, 60.9 catch allowed. Rookie of the Week 3 times.
Gordon Wong, CB, JAX: 67 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 hurry, 2 INT, 49.1 catch allowed. Rookie of the Week 3 times.
Thomas Allums, WLB, CHA: 88 tackles, 0 sacks, 3 hurries, 3 INT. Rookie of the Week 3 times.
Bob Marley, CB, NJG: 14 tackles, 0 sacks, 0 hurries, 4 INT, 50.0 catch allowed. Rookie of the Week 3 times.
