Jeff Monken has led Georgia Southern to the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs, and on Wednesday was named one of five finalists for the 2012 Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year award, the Statesboro Herald reports.

Monken is a finalist with Montana State's Rob Ash, Sam Houston State's Willie Fritz, Coastal Carolina's Joe Moglia and Richmond's Danny Rocco. Fans can vote on the award at coachoftheyear.com through Dec. 20. The fan vote accounts for 20 percent of the final tally, along with 55 percent from the College Football Hall of Fame and 25 percent from the media. The winner will be announced the morning of the BCS title game, Jan. 7.

Georgia Southern has gone 9-3 and plays No. 4 Old Dominion in the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs on Saturday. They defeated Central Arkansas 24-16 last weekend to advance in the playoffs, improving their all-time home playoff record to 33-3.