2012 Mountain West all-conference team: QB Derek Carr, DB Phillip Thomas named players of the year

The 2012 Mountain West all-conference teams were announced on Tuesday, and the Fresno St. Bulldogs were the big winners by having their starting quarterback Derek Carr and defensive back named as the offensive and defensive players of the year.

The Bulldogs also had the freshman of the year in wide receiver Davante Adams. Adams, Thomas and Carr were also the only three players to be an unanimous selection. Overall, Fresno State led all teams with seven players on the first and second all-conference team.

The coach of the year was a tough item to pick this year, but not so sure San Diego State's Rocky Long was the right choice. Long did lead the Aztecs to a great season, even after losing stars like quarterback Ryan Lindley and running back Ronnie Hillman to the NFL. However, my vote would have come down to Bob Davie at New Mexico, or Fresno State's Tim DeRuyter.

Had Davie guided New Mexico to a bowl game he probably would have won the official ballot, but still leading this New Mexico team that had just been terrible the past few years, to now being respectable and winning game.

DeRuyter would have been my choice, just look what he did. This 2012 Fresno State team was nearly identical to what they had in 2011 -- sans Adams -- and they won just four games under Pat Hill. Long did a great job, but the award should have gone to DeRuyter.