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Stanford defensive line coach Randy Hart was today named the 2012 FootballScoop Defensive Line Coach of the Year presented by ProGrass. He was chosen by a panel of previous winners of the award.

Hart in his third year at Stanford has led a defensive front that has totaled 21.0 sacks among 39.5 tackles for loss, paving the way for an historic Cardinal defense that has broken the school sacks record (56.0). Stanford leads the nation in sacks and tackles for loss (120.0) and ranks third in rushing defense (87.69).

Eleven of Stanford's last 16 opponents have been held under 100 yards rushing. In a string of three consecutive games this season, the Pac-12 Champion Cardinal recorded three of its top 10 single-game rushing defense performances in school history: No. 3 at Colorado (minus-21 yards), No. 4 vs. Washington State (minus-18) and t-No. 9 at California (3).

"Randy is always energetic and gets our defensive line ready to compete every day," said Bradford M. Freeman Director of Football David Shaw. "He's done a great job developing depth, so that we can rotate players and keep them all fresh."

Under Hart's tutelage, senior Ben Gardner and junior Henry Anderson both earned All-Pac-12 second team honors at defensive end. In one of this year's most visible examples of in-season improvement and coaching, Anderson has recorded 11.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks since the seventh game of the season.

The FootballScoop Coaches of the Year awards presented by ProGrass are the only set of awards that recognize the most outstanding position coaches in college football. The finalists were selected from nominations by coaches, athletic directors, and athletic department personnel.

Hart will receive his award and be recognized at an event at the AFCA Convention in January.

Stanford and its defensive line will next play in Pasadena in the 99th Rose Bowl Game presented by Vizio – the eighth Rose Bowl Game for Hart. The 11-2 Cardinal faces Wisconsin on Jan. 1 at 1:30 p.m. PT, with a national broadcast on ESPN.

— Stanford Athletics

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