Bowling Green hires Dino Babers as next head coach

USA TODAY Sports

Dino Babers will take over as head coach at Bowling Green, the school announced Wednesday.

Babers will replace Dave Clawson, who took the job at Wake Forest.

Babers, the runner-up for the Eddie Robinson Award for FCS Coach of the Year this week, led Eastern Illinois to a 12-2 record, a No. 2 national ranking and a quarterfinal appearance in the FCS playoffs.

"We are so proud to have Dino and his family join Bowling Green State University," athletic direcotr D. Christopher Kingston said in a statement. "Dino brings with him an incredible résumé of successful experiences that absolutely fit the Falcon football program. He is a proven winner who is in the business of developing young men who desire success on the field, in the classroom and in the community. His ability to maximize talent through skill development is unmatched."

Babers, 19-7 in two years at Eastern Illinois, was an assistant at Baylor under Art Briles.

Baber's Panthers led the FCS in yards a game (589.5) and points a game (48.2) in 2013. In addition, Eastern Illinois averaged 372.4 yards a game through the air and 217.1 yards on the ground.

"I am honored and excited to join the Falcon family," Babers said. "BGSU has great facilities and the fans are proving, most recently through ticket sales for this year's bowl game, that their support of BGSU football is among the best in the MAC. I want to thank President Mazey, Chris Kingston, and Lesley Irvine for the opportunity to take over the Bowling Green program. My family and I can't wait to get to Bowling Green and become Falcons. While I look forward to my time at BGSU, I want to thank the Eastern Illinois players and fans for their support the last two years, especially President Perry and (athletics director) Barbara Burke."

Babers' quarterback at Eastern Illinois, Jimmy Garoppolo was named the Walter Payton Award winner, the FCS equivalent of the Heisman Trophy. Garoppolo threw for 5,050 yards and 53 touchdowns in 2013. During his two seasons under Babers' guidance, he has thrown for 8,873 yards and 84 scores.

Babers was a four-year starter at the University of Hawaii, Academic All-WAC, and captain his senior year.