This may be as wide-open a vote as I can remember when it comes to this award, which is why we have a record number of finalists to choose from.
The winner, remember, will join this elite group:
2007 - Tom Jurich
2008 - David Padgett
2009 - Vacant (I still say it should be Billy Gillispie)
2010 - Charlie Strong
2011 - Charlie Strong and Preston Knowles (tie)
2012 - Tom Jurich
2013 - Teddy Bridgewater
Voting will end at noon on Dec. 30. Best of luck to all seven of the finalists...
RICK PITINO:
--Led Louisville to its third straight 30 win season and third straight conference tournament title.
RUSS SMITH
--Became Louisville's first consensus All-American since Clifford Rozier in 1994.
THE CCBM
--Continued to exist as one of the defining and most terrifying images of the U of L fan base despite being banned from PJCS for the Florida State game.
LORENZO MAULDIN
--Was the face of a Louisville football team which had an overwhelmingly successful season despite transitioning into a new conference and learning how to play for a new coaching staff.
THE ACC
--Louisville's new home is much, much better than its old home.
GEROD HOLLIMAN
--Tied a NCAA record for single-season interceptions which had stood alone since 1968. Also became Louisville's first AP All-American first teamer since 2005.
DAN MCDONNELL
--Led Louisville to its second straight College World Series appearance.