Named in honor of the football coaching pioneer and presented annually by the American Football Coaches Association, the Amos Alonzo Stagg Award honors an "individual, group or institution whose services have been outstanding in the advancement of the best interests of football." In 1984, the AFCA named Bud Wilkinson its winner in recognition of his legendary career coaching the Oklahoma Sooners to three National Championships in the 1950s. Wilkinson received this award for "Outstanding Service In The Advancement Of The Best Interests In Football" and remained with him for the rest of his life.