HELENA, Mont. - Weber State coach Ron McBride, who led his team to a 9-3 record and a spot in the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs, has been named the Big Sky Conference football coach of the year in a vote of league coaches.

The league announced the award Wednesday.

Weber State had been chosen to finish fifth in the league in preseason polls, but claimed a share of the Big Sky Conference title for the first time in 40 years with a 7-1 record.

The Wildcats earned the league's automatic berth in the FCS playoffs, the school's first playoff appearance since 1991. The 12th-ranked Wildcats play at Cal Poly Saturday.

The 69-year-old McBride called the award "huge" for the team and his assistant coaches. He says it shows other teams respect what you're doing.

Weber State's regular season included the program's first win over Montana in 10 seasons.