In his first year as head coach, Bobby Petrino did what some thought was impossible turning Missouri State football into a winner.
Now he's being recognized nationally.
Petrino was named as one of 16 finalists for the 2020-21 Eddie Robinson Award which is given annually to college football's top head coach at the FCS level.
No Missouri State head coach has ever won the award. A 40-member national panel will select the winner of the award and it will be announced May 4.
Petrino took over a Missouri State program coming off a 1-10 season and led it to its first Missouri Valley Football Conference co-championship and FCS Playoff appearance since 1990.