Coen Named to Polynesian Player of the Year Watch List

PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State senior linebacker Cyrus Coen was named to the inaugural Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award watch list, the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced recently. Coen is one of 40 players named to the list.

Coen appeared in all 11 games last season, making 10 starts and made 60 tackles, fourth-most on the team. The Pearl City, Hawaii native also recorded 6.5 tackles-for-loss and tallied six special teams tackles, all on kickoff coverage. In his three seasons with the Cougars, Coen has played in 35 games, made 22 starts, tallied 129 tackles including 19.5 tackles-for-loss and three interceptions.

The winner of the 2014 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year will be announced on December 9, 2014. Five finalists will be unveiled November 20. The formal presentation will be at the Celebration Dinner during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend on January 23, 2015.

“The Polynesian influence and prestige in football is at an all-time high, and rapidly expanding,” said Jesse Sapolu, Chairman and Co-Founder. “This award was established to showcase the immense talent of our Polynesian student-athletes in college football today.”

The Watch List candidates have been selected based on past performance and future potential. Additions to the list may be made as the 2014 season progresses. The finalists and the winner will be chosen by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee, which is composed of past college football head coaches Dick Tomey (Chairman), LaVell Edwards and Ron McBride, ESPN SportsCenter anchor Neil Everett, NFL player personnel expert Gil Brandt, past NFLPA president and Inaugural Inductee Kevin Mawae and Hawai’i sportscaster Robert Kekaula. Visit Polynesianfootballhof.org for more information.

The Cougars open their 2014 season Thursday, Aug. 28 against Rutgers in The Seattle Game at CenturyLink Field.