Hallett Tabbed North Region Coach of the Year

First-year head coach Mike Hallett of the Heidelberg College football team has been tabbed as the North Region Coach of the Year according to d3football.com. It is the third year for the all-region awards by d3football.com and Hallett is the third-consecutive Ohio Athletic Conference head coach to receive the north region’s highest coaching honor. Hallett joins Capital University’s Jim Collins (2005) and Mount Union College’s Larry Kehres (2006) as award recipients. The d3football.com region awards are voted on by Sports Information Directors from each region, as well staff members of d3football.com.
 
It is Hallett’s second coach of the year honor for the 2007 season. He was tabbed the OAC Coach of the Year in November. The Berg finished its inaugural season under Hallett’s guidance with an overall record of 4-6 and 3-6 in the OAC, marking the best season since 1999.
 
Heidelberg opened the year snapping a 36-game losing streak with a 37-26 win over Oberlin College at Frost-Kalnow Stadium Sept. 8. Highlighting the year was the Berg’s 42-20 win over nationally-ranked Baldwin-Wallace College, marking the first win over a ranked opponent since 1993. Other OAC wins on the year included a 37-33 win at Wilmington College and a 52-21 victory over visiting Muskingum College.
 
The Berg offense ranked in the top-five in the league in nine different offensive categories highlighted by its scoring offense (25.1), pass efficiency (138.7) and its red zone offense (32-of-41 scores), which all ranked third. Heidelberg’s rushing game provided 15 touchdowns, which eclipsed its total rushing TD’s over the last five years combined.
 
On the defensive side of the ball, Heidelberg was equally impressive, limiting its opponent’s offense by nearly 1,000 yards from the previous season. Its defensive line provided a solid foundation that gave up 50 percent less scores on the ground as in 2006. For the year, Heidelberg recorded 23 sacks for a total of 141 yards, which stood tied for fifth in the league statistics.