Per the university's release, The award is given to those "whose services have been outstanding in the advancement of the best interests in football," and will be presented to Cooper at the AFCA Awards Luncheon on January 12 during the 2016 AFCA Convention in San Antonio, Texas. The now 78-year-old Cooper coached Ohio State from 1988-2000, where he won three Big Ten titles, and led the Buckeyes to three bowl wins, including the 1996 Rose Bowl and 1998 Sugar Bowl.
"I'm very, very excited to receive such a distinguished award from the American Football Coaches Association," said Cooper.