WALTHAM, Mass. – Bentley University assistant head football coach Leo Fanning has been selected for the 2015 John Baronian Award for Lifetime Contribution for Football from the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston.

Fanning and a number of other award winners will be recognized Thursday, December 17 when the Gridiron Club holds its annual Bob Whelan College Football Awards Night at the Marriott Hotel in Burlington.

"I knew the Baron," said Fanning, who recently completed his second year on Bill Kavanaugh's staff at Bentley. "He had a great passion for his alma mater (Tufts), his sport (football) and his family. To have your life's work acknowledged by receiving an award that recognizes John Baronian's life of contributions, I am honored."

Fanning came to Bentley with over 40 years of collegiate coaching experience under this belt, including 16 on the staff of the legendary Joe Restic at Harvard University (1978-93) and nine working under the late Dan Allen, at both Boston University and Holy Cross.

"Leo is a tremendous asset to our staff and someone I personally can turn to for guidance in every aspect of coaching," said Kavanaugh. "Throughout Leo's career he has represented great institutions with a great amount of pride in 'doing things the right way'.  He approaches every day with energy and approaches every situation with class.

"Leo is the type of coach that every parent should want their kids to play for," continued Kavanaugh. "He teaches more than X's and O's and puts maximum effort into each and every player. I am proud to work side by side with Leo each and every day his knowledge allows me something to learn from.

A 1970 graduate of Bridgewater State College, Fanning began his coaching career at his alma mater a year later. Following two seasons with the Bears, his coaching odyssey took him to Massachusetts, Tufts, Harvard, American International, Boston University, Holy Cross and Norwich before his arrival in Waltham. He was the assistant head coach at Holy Cross from 1996-2003, including the last five as the Crusaders' defensive coordinator. His time at Norwich (2005-13) included seven years as associate head coach and two as offensive coordinator.

Harvard won three Ivy League titles during his tenure and Norwich earned its first-ever NCAA playoff berth and participated in several ECAC postseason regional games.

This is the second time that Fanning has been honored by the Gridiron Club. Two decades ago, the organization selected him for the Assistant Coach of the Year award.

Fanning resides in Marlboro with his wife, Patricia. His son Matt, now in his fifth year on the staff at Holy Cross, followed his father into coaching, and his daughter Kristen is an educator in Queens, N.Y.