Robert Coury Named Semifinalist for 2023 Gagliardi Trophy Presented by Stearns Bank

Nov. 21 - (COLLEGEVILLE, Minn.) – Carnegie Mellon University senior linebacker Robert Coury was named one of the 20 semifinalists for the 2023 Gagliardi Trophy on Tuesday.

A mechanical engineering major with a 3.96 GPA, Coury becomes the first Tartan to be named a semifinalist or finalist for the Gagliardi Trophy.

"I couldn't be more proud of Bobby being named a semi-finalist for the Gagliardi Trophy!" said Carnegie Mellon head football coach Ryan Larsen. "Bobby is the perfect example of what it means to be a student-athlete as he maintains one of the highest GPAs on our team, while also being a captain and All-American player! I hope he is able to move to the next step in the selection process as a finalist."

Fifteen seniors lead the quarterback-heavy class of semifinalists for an award presented by Stearns Bank and the J-Club of Saint John's University (Minn.) to the most outstanding football player in NCAA Division III. The semifinalist list also contains nominees from all six NCAA regions. Multiple positions are represented: 10 quarterbacks, six defensive players, three running backs and one wide receiver. Fourteen of the 20 semifinalists participated in the first round of the Division III playoffs.

The Gagliardi Trophy, given annually since 1993, is awarded to the most outstanding NCAA Division III football player and recognizes excellence in athletics, academics and community service. The award is named after John Gagliardi, Saint John's legendary Hall of Fame head football coach who passed away at the age of 91 in 2018. John retired in 2012 with 489 career victories, the most in college football history.

The Gagliardi Trophy finalists will be announced during a live show on Thursday, December 7, on D3football.com. Hosts Pat Coleman and Frank Rossi will profile the finalists during the program. The 2023 Gagliardi Trophy winner will be revealed on D3football.com during the week of the NCAA Division III football national championship on the evening of Friday, December 15. In the lead up to the announcement of the 2023 Gagliardi Trophy winner, D3football.com will provide updates on specific dates and times of the announcement.

A record number of nominations were submitted by colleges across the country, and the semifinalists were selected by the J-Club Board of Directors. The Gagliardi Trophy national-selection committee is comprised of 18 Division III coaches (three from each NCAA Region), six Division III administrators (one from each region), 12 regional notable voters (two from each region) and six national voters with Division III backgrounds. A fan vote, which runs until December 2, is live on D3football.com. VOTE HERE

Coury headed a Tartans defense for the third consecutive season that led the PAC in scoring defense, allowing 10.2 points per game, rushing defense giving up 73.1 yards per contest, total defense allowing 245.0 yards per game, turnovers gained with 29, fumbles recovered with 13, passes intercepted with 16, turnover margin at 1.55 and tackles for loss with 8.7 per contest. The Cardinal and Gray ranked fourth nationally in fumbles recovered, sixth in turnovers gained, seventh in scoring defense, eighth in turnover margin, ninth in team tackles for loss, 13th in total defense and 16th in rushing defense. The defense held nine opponents under 100 yards on the ground and broke a school record when holding Westminster to -16 yards rushing earlier this season.

A three-time First Team All-Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) honoree, Coury led the defense in 2023 for the fourth straight season in tackles (83) and third straight season in tackles for loss (165) while ranking second on the squad with 4.0 sacks. The senior has also forced a fumble, recovered a fumble, recorded an interception and had two blocked punts this season.

An Academic All-American a season ago, Coury off the field has been a manufacturing engineer intern for Mack Trucks, a subsidiary of Volvo Group, as well as a construction project management intern for Tesla. He is a member of Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity, the Sports Analytics Club and Cru at Carnegie Mellon. Coury has volunteered at the Western Spring Sectional competition of the Special Olympics of Pennsylvania. He has also worked on numerous projects, including the Smart Walk Design Prototype where he designed a walker attachment using sensor to vibration motor communication to benefit disabled individuals.