AFCA Announces the 2025 National Coaches of the Year
December 15, 2025
The AFCA is honored to present its top coaching award — AFCA National Coach of the Year — to five outstanding coaches. The 2025 AFCA National Coach of the Year winners are: Indiana’s Curt Cignetti (FBS), Presbyterian’s Steve Englehart (FCS), Kutztown’s Jim Clements (Division II), North Central’s Brad Spencer (Division III) and Benedictine’s Joel Osborn (NAIA).
The winners are selected by a vote of the Active AFCA members at four-year schools in the Association’s five divisions. The AFCA has named a Coach of the Year since 1935. The AFCA Coach of the Year award is the oldest and most prestigious of all the Coach of the Year awards and is the only one chosen exclusively by coaches.
Cignetti becomes the first FBS head coach to win back-to-back AFCA National Coach of the Year honors. He won his second straight by leading the Hoosiers to its best season in program history. Indiana won its first out-right Big Ten title since 1945 and earned the No. 1 overall seed in the College Football Playoff with a 13-0 record. The 13 wins are a program best. Cignetti has an overall record of 143-37 in 15 seasons as a head coach at Indiana, James Madison, Elon and Indiana (Pa.).
In four years, Englehart has transformed the Presbyterian football program into a winner. Going from 1-10 in his first season to 10-2 in 2025. He guided the Blue Hose to a 7-0 mark to start the season, and they went undefeated at home for the first time in 27 years. Englehart has recorded 21 victories in his four seasons at Presbyterian and has an overall record of 91-74 in his 17 seasons as a head coach at Presbyterian, Florida Tech and Rose-Hulman.
Clements is a six-time AFCA Regional Coach of the Year honoree, now he has an AFCA National Coach of the Year honor to go with it. In his 11th season as the head coach at Kutztown, Clements owns a 104-30 record and is the program’s all-time wins leader. He has led the Golden Bears to two straight undefeated regular seasons and is currently on a 31-game regular season winning streak, dating back to 2023. In 2025, Clements guided Kutztown to a 14-1 record, their third straight Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference title and an appearance in the semifinals of the Division II playoffs.
Spencer is the Division III National Coach of the Year because his results speak for themselves. He is 57-1 in his four years as head coach at North Central. Spencer has guided the Cardinals to two Division III national championships and four straight College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin titles. His only loss came in the 2023 national championship game. He is 36-0 against conference competition and 40-0 in the regular season. So far in 2025, North Central is 13-0 and will host John Carroll in the semifinals of the Division III playoffs.
Osborn earned his first AFCA National honor by guiding Benedictine to their 4th straight Heart of America Athletic Conference South Division title and the program’s second straight trip to the NAIA Football Championship Series semifinals. He has an overall record of 50-14 in his five seasons as the Ravens head coach.
Award History
Lynn “Pappy” Waldorf, then of Northwestern, was named as the first AFCA Coach of the Year in 1935. One national winner was selected from 1935 through 1959. From 1960 through 1982, two national winners were selected — one representing the University Division and one from the College Division. From 1983-2005, four national winners were chosen.
In 2006, the AFCA started honoring an NAIA Coach of the Year, bringing the total to the five honorees we have today. Prior to 2006, the NAIA was a part of the AFCA’s Division II membership category.
Voting Process
The current balloting procedure involves selection of 25 regional winners: five regional winners in each of the five divisions – FBS, FCS, Division II, Division III and NAIA, who become finalist for national coach of the year. Following regional voting, five national winners – one from each division – are chosen.
AFCA Coach of the Year Winners — All-Time List
Football Bowl Subdivision Football Championship Subdivision Division II Division III NAIA College Division
1935 Lynn Waldorf, Northwestern 1983 Rey Dempsey, Southern Illinois 1983 Don Morton, North Dakota St. 1983 Bob Reade, Augustana (Ill.) 2006 Kalen DeBoer, Sioux Falls 1960 Warren Woodson, New Mexico St.
1936 Dick Harlow, Harvard 1984 Dave Arnold, Montana St. 1984 Chan Gailey, Troy St. 1984 Bob Reade, Augustana (Ill.) 2007 Mike Van Diest, Carroll (Mont.) 1961 Alonzo S. Gaither, Florida A&M
1937 Edward E. Mylin, Lafayette 1985 Dick Sheridan, Furman 1985 George Landis, Bloomsburg 1985 Bob Reade, Augustana (Ill.) 2008 Kalen DeBoer, Sioux Falls 1962 William M. Edwards, Wittenberg
1938 Bill Kern, Carnegie Tech 1986 Erk Russell, Georgia Southern 1986 Earle Solomonson, North Dakota St. 1986 Bob Reade, Augustana (Ill.) 2009 Kalen DeBoer, Sioux Falls 1963 William M. Edwards, Wittenberg
1939 Dr. Eddie Anderson, Iowa 1987 Mark Duffner, Holy Cross 1987 Rick Rhoades, Troy St. 1987 Walt Hameline, Wagner 2010 Mike Van Diest, Carroll (Mont.) 1964 Clarence Stasavich, East Carolina
1940 Clark Shaughnessy, Stanford 1988 Jimmy Satterfield, Furman 1988 Rocky Hager, North Dakota St. 1988 Jim Butterfield, Ithaca 2011 Mike Feminis, Saint Xavier 1965 Jack Curtice, UC-Santa Barbara
1941 Frank Leahy, Notre Dame 1989 Erk Russell, Georgia Southern 1989 John Williams, Mississippi College 1989 Mike Kelly, Dayton 2012 Steve Ryan, Morningside 1966 Dan Jessee, Trinity College
1942 Bill Alexander, Georgia Tech 1990 Tim Stowers, Georgia Southern 1990 Rocky Hager, North Dakota St. 1990 Ken O’Keefe, Allegheny 2013 Mike Woodley, Grand View 1967 A.C. Moore, UT-Chattanooga
1943 Amos Alonzo Stagg, Pacific 1991 Jim Tressel, Youngstown St. 1991 Chuck Broyles, Pittsburg St. 1991 Jim Butterfield, Ithaca 2014 Mark Henninger, Marian 1968 Jim Root, New Hampshire
1944 Carroll Widdoes, Ohio St. 1992 Charlie Taaffe, The Citadel 1992 Bill Burgess, Jacksonville St. 1992 John Luckhardt, Wash. & Jeff. 2015 Mark Henninger, Marian 1969 Larry Naviaux, Boston University
1945 Bo McMillin, Indiana 1993 Dan Allen, Boston University 1993 Bobby Wallace, North Alabama 1993 Larry Kehres, Mount Union 2016 Kevin Donley, St. Francis (Ind.) 1970 Bennie Ellender, Arkansas St.
1946 Red Blaik, Army 1994 Jim Tressel, Youngstown St. 1994 Bobby Wallace, North Alabama 1994 Pete Schmidt, Albion 2017 Kevin Donley, St. Francis (Ind.) 1971 Tubby Raymond, Delaware
1947 Fritz Crisler, Michigan 1995 Don Read, Montana 1995 Bobby Wallace, North Alabama 1995 Roger Harring, Wis.-La Crosse 2018 Steve Ryan, Morningside 1972 Tubby Raymond, Delaware
1948 Bennie Oosterbaan, Michigan 1996 Ray Tellier, Columbia 1996 Joe Glenn, Northern Colorado 1996 Larry Kehres, Mount Union 2019 Steve Ryan, Morningside 1973 Dave Maurer, Wittenberg
1949 Bud Wilkinson, Oklahoma 1997 Andy Talley, Villanova 1997 Joe Glenn, Northern Colorado 1997 Larry Kehres, Mount Union 2020 Chris Oliver, Lindsey Wilson 1974 Roy Kramer, Central Michigan
1950 Charles Caldwell, Princeton 1998 Mark Whipple, Massachusetts 1998 Mel Tjeerdsma, Northwest Mo. St. 1998 Larry Kehres, Mount Union 2021 Steve Ryan, Morningside 1975 Dave Maurer, Wittenberg
1951 Charles Taylor, Stanford 1999 Paul Johnson, Georgia Southern 1999 Mel Tjeerdsma, Northwest Mo. St. 1999 Frosty Westering, Pacific Lutheran 2022 Matt McCarty, Northwestern (Iowa) 1976 Jim Dennison, Akron
1952 Biggie Munn, Michigan St. 2000 Paul Johnson, Georgia Southern 2000 Danny Hale, Bloomsburg 2000 Larry Kehres, Mount Union 2023 Doug Socha, Keiser 1977 Bill Manlove, Widener
1953 James Tatum, Maryland 2001 Bobby Johnson, Furman 2001 Dale Lennon, North Dakota 2001 Larry Kehres, Mount Union 2024 Myles Russ, Keiser 1978 Lee Tressel, Baldwin-Wallace
1954 Red Sanders, UCLA 2002 Jack Harbaugh, Western Kentucky 2002 Brian Kelly, Grand Valley St. 2002 Larry Kehres, Mount Union 1979 Bill Narduzzi, Youngstown St.
1955 Duffy Daugherty, Michigan St. 2003 Dick Biddle, Colgate 2003 Brian Kelly, Grand Valley St. 2003 John Gagliardi, St. John’s (Minn.) 1980 Rick Carter, Dayton
1956 Bowden Wyatt, Tennessee 2004 Mickey Matthews, James Madison Mike Van Diest, Carroll (Mont.) (tie) 2004 Jay Locey, Linfield 1981 Vito Ragazzo, Shippensburg St.
1957 Woody Hayes, Ohio St. 2005 Jerry Moore, Appalachian St. 2004 Chris Hatcher, Valdosta St. 2005 Bob Berezowitz, Wis.-Whitewater 1982 Jim Wacker, Southwest Texas St.
1958 Paul Dietzel, Louisiana St. 2006 Jerry Moore, Appalachian St. 2005 Chuck Martin, Grand Valley St. 2006 Larry Kehres, Mount Union
1959 Ben Schwartzwalder, Syracuse 2007 Jerry Moore, Appalachian St. 2006 Chuck Martin, Grand Valley St. 2007 Lance Leipold, Wis.-Whitewater
1960 Murray Warmath, Minnesota 2008 Mike London, Richmond 2007 David Dean, Valdosta St. 2008 Larry Kehres, Mount Union
1961 Paul “Bear” Bryant, Alabama 2009 Andy Talley, Villanova 2008 Mel Tjeerdsma, Northwest Mo. St. 2009 Lance Leipold, Wis.-Whitewater
1962 John McKay, USC 2010 K.C. Keeler, Delaware 2009 Mel Tjeerdsma, Northwest Mo. St. 2010 Lance Leipold, Wis.-Whitewater
1963 Darrell Royal, Texas 2011 Willie Fritz, Sam Houston St. 2010 Bob Nielson, Minnesota-Duluth 2011 Lance Leipold, Wis.-Whitewater
1964 Frank Broyles, Arkansas 2012 Craig Bohl, North Dakota St. 2011 Paul Winters, Wayne St. (Mich.) 2012 Glenn Caruso, St. Thomas
Ara Parseghian, Notre Dame (tie) 2013 Craig Bohl, North Dakota St. 2012 David Dean, Valdosta St. 2013 Lance Leipold, Wis.-Whitewater
1965 Tommy Prothro, UCLA 2014 Sean McDonnell, New Hampshire 2013 Adam Dorrel, Northwest Mo. St. 2014 Lance Leipold, Wis.-Whitewater
1966 Tom Cahill, Army 2015 John Grass, Jacksonville St. 2014 John Wristen, Colorado St.-Pueblo 2015 Glenn Caruso, St. Thomas
1967 John Pont, Indiana 2016 Mike Houston, James Madison 2015 Adam Dorrel, Northwest Mo. St. 2016 Pete Fredenburg, UMHB
1968 Joe Paterno, Penn St. 2017 Brian Bohannon, Kennesaw St. 2016 Adam Dorrel, Northwest Mo. St. 2017 Jason Mangone, Brockport
1969 Bo Schembechler, Michigan 2018 Joe Harasymiak, Maine 2017 Pete Shinnick, West Florida 2018 Jim Margraff, Johns Hopkins
1970 Charlie McClendon, LSU 2019 Matt Entz, North Dakota St. 2018 Drew Cronic, Lenoir-Rhyne 2019 Nate Milne, Muhlenberg
Darrell Royal, Texas (tie) 2020 Scott Wachenheim, VMI 2019 Todd Hoffner, Minnesota St. 2021 Jeff McMartin, Central (Iowa)
1971 Paul “Bear” Bryant, Alabama 2021 Matt Entz, North Dakota St. 2021 Damon Wilson, Bowie St. 2022 Steve Johnson, Bethel (Minn.)
1972 John McKay, USC 2022 John Stiegelmeier, South Dakota St. 2022 Brandon Moore, Colorado Mines 2023 Curt Fitzpatrick, Cortland
1973 Paul “Bear” Bryant, Alabama 2023 Greg Gattuso, Albany 2023 Paul Simmons, Harding 2024 Sherman Wood, Salisbury
1974 Grant Teaff, Baylor 2024 Billy Cosh, Stony Brook 2024 Tremaine Jackson, Valdosta St.
1975 Frank Kush, Arizona St.
1976 Johnny Majors, Pittsburgh
1977 Don James, Washington
1978 Joe Paterno, Penn St.
1979 Earle Bruce, Ohio St.
1980 Vince Dooley, Georgia
1981 Danny Ford, Clemson
1982 Joe Paterno, Penn St.
1983 Ken Hatfield, Air Force
1984 LaVell Edwards, Brigham Young
1985 Fisher DeBerry, Air Force
1986 Joe Paterno, Penn St.
1987 Dick MacPherson, Syracuse
1988 Don Nehlen, West Virginia
1989 Bill McCartney, Colorado
1990 Bobby Ross, Georgia Tech
1991 Bill Lewis, East Carolina
1992 Gene Stallings, Alabama
1993 Barry Alvarez, Wisconsin
1994 Tom Osborne, Nebraska
1995 Gary Barnett, Northwestern
1996 Bruce Snyder, Arizona St.
1997 Lloyd Carr, Michigan
1998 Phil Fulmer, Tennessee
1999 Frank Beamer, Virginia Tech
2000 Bob Stoops, Oklahoma
2001 Larry Coker, Miami (Fla.)
Ralph Friedgen, Maryland (tie)
2002 Jim Tressel, Ohio St.
2003 Pete Carroll, USC
2004 Tommy Tuberville, Auburn
2005 Joe Paterno, Penn St.
2006 Jim Grobe, Wake Forest
2007 Mark Mangino, Kansas
2008 Kyle Whittingham, Utah
2009 Gary Patterson, TCU
2010 Chip Kelly, Oregon
2011 Les Miles, LSU
2012 Brian Kelly, Notre Dame
2013 David Cutcliffe, Duke
2014 Gary Patterson, TCU
2015 Dabo Swinney, Clemson
2016 Mike MacIntyre, Colorado
2017 Scott Frost, Central Florida
2018 Mike Leach, Washington State
2019 Ed Orgeron, LSU
2020 Tom Allen, Indiana
2021 Luke Fickell, Cincinnati
2022 Sonny Dykes, TCU
2023 Kalen DeBoer, Washington
2024 Curt Cignetti, Indiana
For more information about the AFCA, visit www.AFCA.com. For more interesting articles, check out The Insider and subscribe to our weekly email.
If you are interested in more in-depth articles and videos, please become an AFCA member. You can find out more information about membership and specific member benefits on the AFCA Membership Overview page. If you are ready to join, please fill out the AFCA Membership Application.
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The AFCA is honored to present its top coaching award — AFCA National Coach of the Year — to five outstanding coaches. The 2025 AFCA National Coach of the Year winners are: Indiana’s Curt Cignetti (FBS), Presbyterian’s Steve Englehart (FCS), Kutztown’s Jim Clements (Division II), North Central’s Brad Spencer (Division III) and Benedictine’s Joel Osborn (NAIA).
The winners are selected by a vote of the Active AFCA members at four-year schools in the Association’s five divisions. The AFCA has named a Coach of the Year since 1935. The AFCA Coach of the Year award is the oldest and most prestigious of all the Coach of the Year awards and is the only one chosen exclusively by coaches.
Cignetti becomes the first FBS head coach to win back-to-back AFCA National Coach of the Year honors. He won his second straight by leading the Hoosiers to its best season in program history. Indiana won its first out-right Big Ten title since 1945 and earned the No. 1 overall seed in the College Football Playoff with a 13-0 record. The 13 wins are a program best. Cignetti has an overall record of 143-37 in 15 seasons as a head coach at Indiana, James Madison, Elon and Indiana (Pa.).
In four years, Englehart has transformed the Presbyterian football program into a winner. Going from 1-10 in his first season to 10-2 in 2025. He guided the Blue Hose to a 7-0 mark to start the season, and they went undefeated at home for the first time in 27 years. Englehart has recorded 21 victories in his four seasons at Presbyterian and has an overall record of 91-74 in his 17 seasons as a head coach at Presbyterian, Florida Tech and Rose-Hulman.
Clements is a six-time AFCA Regional Coach of the Year honoree, now he has an AFCA National Coach of the Year honor to go with it. In his 11th season as the head coach at Kutztown, Clements owns a 104-30 record and is the program’s all-time wins leader. He has led the Golden Bears to two straight undefeated regular seasons and is currently on a 31-game regular season winning streak, dating back to 2023. In 2025, Clements guided Kutztown to a 14-1 record, their third straight Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference title and an appearance in the semifinals of the Division II playoffs.
Spencer is the Division III National Coach of the Year because his results speak for themselves. He is 57-1 in his four years as head coach at North Central. Spencer has guided the Cardinals to two Division III national championships and four straight College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin titles. His only loss came in the 2023 national championship game. He is 36-0 against conference competition and 40-0 in the regular season. So far in 2025, North Central is 13-0 and will host John Carroll in the semifinals of the Division III playoffs.
Osborn earned his first AFCA National honor by guiding Benedictine to their 4th straight Heart of America Athletic Conference South Division title and the program’s second straight trip to the NAIA Football Championship Series semifinals. He has an overall record of 50-14 in his five seasons as the Ravens head coach.
Award History
Lynn “Pappy” Waldorf, then of Northwestern, was named as the first AFCA Coach of the Year in 1935. One national winner was selected from 1935 through 1959. From 1960 through 1982, two national winners were selected — one representing the University Division and one from the College Division. From 1983-2005, four national winners were chosen.
In 2006, the AFCA started honoring an NAIA Coach of the Year, bringing the total to the five honorees we have today. Prior to 2006, the NAIA was a part of the AFCA’s Division II membership category.
Voting Process
The current balloting procedure involves selection of 25 regional winners: five regional winners in each of the five divisions – FBS, FCS, Division II, Division III and NAIA, who become finalist for national coach of the year. Following regional voting, five national winners – one from each division – are chosen.
AFCA Coach of the Year Winners — All-Time List
| Football Bowl Subdivision | Football Championship Subdivision | Division II | Division III | NAIA | College Division | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1935 | Lynn Waldorf, Northwestern | 1983 | Rey Dempsey, Southern Illinois | 1983 | Don Morton, North Dakota St. | 1983 | Bob Reade, Augustana (Ill.) | 2006 | Kalen DeBoer, Sioux Falls | 1960 | Warren Woodson, New Mexico St. | |
| 1936 | Dick Harlow, Harvard | 1984 | Dave Arnold, Montana St. | 1984 | Chan Gailey, Troy St. | 1984 | Bob Reade, Augustana (Ill.) | 2007 | Mike Van Diest, Carroll (Mont.) | 1961 | Alonzo S. Gaither, Florida A&M | |
| 1937 | Edward E. Mylin, Lafayette | 1985 | Dick Sheridan, Furman | 1985 | George Landis, Bloomsburg | 1985 | Bob Reade, Augustana (Ill.) | 2008 | Kalen DeBoer, Sioux Falls | 1962 | William M. Edwards, Wittenberg | |
| 1938 | Bill Kern, Carnegie Tech | 1986 | Erk Russell, Georgia Southern | 1986 | Earle Solomonson, North Dakota St. | 1986 | Bob Reade, Augustana (Ill.) | 2009 | Kalen DeBoer, Sioux Falls | 1963 | William M. Edwards, Wittenberg | |
| 1939 | Dr. Eddie Anderson, Iowa | 1987 | Mark Duffner, Holy Cross | 1987 | Rick Rhoades, Troy St. | 1987 | Walt Hameline, Wagner | 2010 | Mike Van Diest, Carroll (Mont.) | 1964 | Clarence Stasavich, East Carolina | |
| 1940 | Clark Shaughnessy, Stanford | 1988 | Jimmy Satterfield, Furman | 1988 | Rocky Hager, North Dakota St. | 1988 | Jim Butterfield, Ithaca | 2011 | Mike Feminis, Saint Xavier | 1965 | Jack Curtice, UC-Santa Barbara | |
| 1941 | Frank Leahy, Notre Dame | 1989 | Erk Russell, Georgia Southern | 1989 | John Williams, Mississippi College | 1989 | Mike Kelly, Dayton | 2012 | Steve Ryan, Morningside | 1966 | Dan Jessee, Trinity College | |
| 1942 | Bill Alexander, Georgia Tech | 1990 | Tim Stowers, Georgia Southern | 1990 | Rocky Hager, North Dakota St. | 1990 | Ken O’Keefe, Allegheny | 2013 | Mike Woodley, Grand View | 1967 | A.C. Moore, UT-Chattanooga | |
| 1943 | Amos Alonzo Stagg, Pacific | 1991 | Jim Tressel, Youngstown St. | 1991 | Chuck Broyles, Pittsburg St. | 1991 | Jim Butterfield, Ithaca | 2014 | Mark Henninger, Marian | 1968 | Jim Root, New Hampshire | |
| 1944 | Carroll Widdoes, Ohio St. | 1992 | Charlie Taaffe, The Citadel | 1992 | Bill Burgess, Jacksonville St. | 1992 | John Luckhardt, Wash. & Jeff. | 2015 | Mark Henninger, Marian | 1969 | Larry Naviaux, Boston University | |
| 1945 | Bo McMillin, Indiana | 1993 | Dan Allen, Boston University | 1993 | Bobby Wallace, North Alabama | 1993 | Larry Kehres, Mount Union | 2016 | Kevin Donley, St. Francis (Ind.) | 1970 | Bennie Ellender, Arkansas St. | |
| 1946 | Red Blaik, Army | 1994 | Jim Tressel, Youngstown St. | 1994 | Bobby Wallace, North Alabama | 1994 | Pete Schmidt, Albion | 2017 | Kevin Donley, St. Francis (Ind.) | 1971 | Tubby Raymond, Delaware | |
| 1947 | Fritz Crisler, Michigan | 1995 | Don Read, Montana | 1995 | Bobby Wallace, North Alabama | 1995 | Roger Harring, Wis.-La Crosse | 2018 | Steve Ryan, Morningside | 1972 | Tubby Raymond, Delaware | |
| 1948 | Bennie Oosterbaan, Michigan | 1996 | Ray Tellier, Columbia | 1996 | Joe Glenn, Northern Colorado | 1996 | Larry Kehres, Mount Union | 2019 | Steve Ryan, Morningside | 1973 | Dave Maurer, Wittenberg | |
| 1949 | Bud Wilkinson, Oklahoma | 1997 | Andy Talley, Villanova | 1997 | Joe Glenn, Northern Colorado | 1997 | Larry Kehres, Mount Union | 2020 | Chris Oliver, Lindsey Wilson | 1974 | Roy Kramer, Central Michigan | |
| 1950 | Charles Caldwell, Princeton | 1998 | Mark Whipple, Massachusetts | 1998 | Mel Tjeerdsma, Northwest Mo. St. | 1998 | Larry Kehres, Mount Union | 2021 | Steve Ryan, Morningside | 1975 | Dave Maurer, Wittenberg | |
| 1951 | Charles Taylor, Stanford | 1999 | Paul Johnson, Georgia Southern | 1999 | Mel Tjeerdsma, Northwest Mo. St. | 1999 | Frosty Westering, Pacific Lutheran | 2022 | Matt McCarty, Northwestern (Iowa) | 1976 | Jim Dennison, Akron | |
| 1952 | Biggie Munn, Michigan St. | 2000 | Paul Johnson, Georgia Southern | 2000 | Danny Hale, Bloomsburg | 2000 | Larry Kehres, Mount Union | 2023 | Doug Socha, Keiser | 1977 | Bill Manlove, Widener | |
| 1953 | James Tatum, Maryland | 2001 | Bobby Johnson, Furman | 2001 | Dale Lennon, North Dakota | 2001 | Larry Kehres, Mount Union | 2024 | Myles Russ, Keiser | 1978 | Lee Tressel, Baldwin-Wallace | |
| 1954 | Red Sanders, UCLA | 2002 | Jack Harbaugh, Western Kentucky | 2002 | Brian Kelly, Grand Valley St. | 2002 | Larry Kehres, Mount Union | 1979 | Bill Narduzzi, Youngstown St. | |||
| 1955 | Duffy Daugherty, Michigan St. | 2003 | Dick Biddle, Colgate | 2003 | Brian Kelly, Grand Valley St. | 2003 | John Gagliardi, St. John’s (Minn.) | 1980 | Rick Carter, Dayton | |||
| 1956 | Bowden Wyatt, Tennessee | 2004 | Mickey Matthews, James Madison | Mike Van Diest, Carroll (Mont.) (tie) | 2004 | Jay Locey, Linfield | 1981 | Vito Ragazzo, Shippensburg St. | ||||
| 1957 | Woody Hayes, Ohio St. | 2005 | Jerry Moore, Appalachian St. | 2004 | Chris Hatcher, Valdosta St. | 2005 | Bob Berezowitz, Wis.-Whitewater | 1982 | Jim Wacker, Southwest Texas St. | |||
| 1958 | Paul Dietzel, Louisiana St. | 2006 | Jerry Moore, Appalachian St. | 2005 | Chuck Martin, Grand Valley St. | 2006 | Larry Kehres, Mount Union | |||||
| 1959 | Ben Schwartzwalder, Syracuse | 2007 | Jerry Moore, Appalachian St. | 2006 | Chuck Martin, Grand Valley St. | 2007 | Lance Leipold, Wis.-Whitewater | |||||
| 1960 | Murray Warmath, Minnesota | 2008 | Mike London, Richmond | 2007 | David Dean, Valdosta St. | 2008 | Larry Kehres, Mount Union | |||||
| 1961 | Paul “Bear” Bryant, Alabama | 2009 | Andy Talley, Villanova | 2008 | Mel Tjeerdsma, Northwest Mo. St. | 2009 | Lance Leipold, Wis.-Whitewater | |||||
| 1962 | John McKay, USC | 2010 | K.C. Keeler, Delaware | 2009 | Mel Tjeerdsma, Northwest Mo. St. | 2010 | Lance Leipold, Wis.-Whitewater | |||||
| 1963 | Darrell Royal, Texas | 2011 | Willie Fritz, Sam Houston St. | 2010 | Bob Nielson, Minnesota-Duluth | 2011 | Lance Leipold, Wis.-Whitewater | |||||
| 1964 | Frank Broyles, Arkansas | 2012 | Craig Bohl, North Dakota St. | 2011 | Paul Winters, Wayne St. (Mich.) | 2012 | Glenn Caruso, St. Thomas | |||||
| Ara Parseghian, Notre Dame (tie) | 2013 | Craig Bohl, North Dakota St. | 2012 | David Dean, Valdosta St. | 2013 | Lance Leipold, Wis.-Whitewater | ||||||
| 1965 | Tommy Prothro, UCLA | 2014 | Sean McDonnell, New Hampshire | 2013 | Adam Dorrel, Northwest Mo. St. | 2014 | Lance Leipold, Wis.-Whitewater | |||||
| 1966 | Tom Cahill, Army | 2015 | John Grass, Jacksonville St. | 2014 | John Wristen, Colorado St.-Pueblo | 2015 | Glenn Caruso, St. Thomas | |||||
| 1967 | John Pont, Indiana | 2016 | Mike Houston, James Madison | 2015 | Adam Dorrel, Northwest Mo. St. | 2016 | Pete Fredenburg, UMHB | |||||
| 1968 | Joe Paterno, Penn St. | 2017 | Brian Bohannon, Kennesaw St. | 2016 | Adam Dorrel, Northwest Mo. St. | 2017 | Jason Mangone, Brockport | |||||
| 1969 | Bo Schembechler, Michigan | 2018 | Joe Harasymiak, Maine | 2017 | Pete Shinnick, West Florida | 2018 | Jim Margraff, Johns Hopkins | |||||
| 1970 | Charlie McClendon, LSU | 2019 | Matt Entz, North Dakota St. | 2018 | Drew Cronic, Lenoir-Rhyne | 2019 | Nate Milne, Muhlenberg | |||||
| Darrell Royal, Texas (tie) | 2020 | Scott Wachenheim, VMI | 2019 | Todd Hoffner, Minnesota St. | 2021 | Jeff McMartin, Central (Iowa) | ||||||
| 1971 | Paul “Bear” Bryant, Alabama | 2021 | Matt Entz, North Dakota St. | 2021 | Damon Wilson, Bowie St. | 2022 | Steve Johnson, Bethel (Minn.) | |||||
| 1972 | John McKay, USC | 2022 | John Stiegelmeier, South Dakota St. | 2022 | Brandon Moore, Colorado Mines | 2023 | Curt Fitzpatrick, Cortland | |||||
| 1973 | Paul “Bear” Bryant, Alabama | 2023 | Greg Gattuso, Albany | 2023 | Paul Simmons, Harding | 2024 | Sherman Wood, Salisbury | |||||
| 1974 | Grant Teaff, Baylor | 2024 | Billy Cosh, Stony Brook | 2024 | Tremaine Jackson, Valdosta St. | |||||||
| 1975 | Frank Kush, Arizona St. | |||||||||||
| 1976 | Johnny Majors, Pittsburgh | |||||||||||
| 1977 | Don James, Washington | |||||||||||
| 1978 | Joe Paterno, Penn St. | |||||||||||
| 1979 | Earle Bruce, Ohio St. | |||||||||||
| 1980 | Vince Dooley, Georgia | |||||||||||
| 1981 | Danny Ford, Clemson | |||||||||||
| 1982 | Joe Paterno, Penn St. | |||||||||||
| 1983 | Ken Hatfield, Air Force | |||||||||||
| 1984 | LaVell Edwards, Brigham Young | |||||||||||
| 1985 | Fisher DeBerry, Air Force | |||||||||||
| 1986 | Joe Paterno, Penn St. | |||||||||||
| 1987 | Dick MacPherson, Syracuse | |||||||||||
| 1988 | Don Nehlen, West Virginia | |||||||||||
| 1989 | Bill McCartney, Colorado | |||||||||||
| 1990 | Bobby Ross, Georgia Tech | |||||||||||
| 1991 | Bill Lewis, East Carolina | |||||||||||
| 1992 | Gene Stallings, Alabama | |||||||||||
| 1993 | Barry Alvarez, Wisconsin | |||||||||||
| 1994 | Tom Osborne, Nebraska | |||||||||||
| 1995 | Gary Barnett, Northwestern | |||||||||||
| 1996 | Bruce Snyder, Arizona St. | |||||||||||
| 1997 | Lloyd Carr, Michigan | |||||||||||
| 1998 | Phil Fulmer, Tennessee | |||||||||||
| 1999 | Frank Beamer, Virginia Tech | |||||||||||
| 2000 | Bob Stoops, Oklahoma | |||||||||||
| 2001 | Larry Coker, Miami (Fla.) | |||||||||||
| Ralph Friedgen, Maryland (tie) | ||||||||||||
| 2002 | Jim Tressel, Ohio St. | |||||||||||
| 2003 | Pete Carroll, USC | |||||||||||
| 2004 | Tommy Tuberville, Auburn | |||||||||||
| 2005 | Joe Paterno, Penn St. | |||||||||||
| 2006 | Jim Grobe, Wake Forest | |||||||||||
| 2007 | Mark Mangino, Kansas | |||||||||||
| 2008 | Kyle Whittingham, Utah | |||||||||||
| 2009 | Gary Patterson, TCU | |||||||||||
| 2010 | Chip Kelly, Oregon | |||||||||||
| 2011 | Les Miles, LSU | |||||||||||
| 2012 | Brian Kelly, Notre Dame | |||||||||||
| 2013 | David Cutcliffe, Duke | |||||||||||
| 2014 | Gary Patterson, TCU | |||||||||||
| 2015 | Dabo Swinney, Clemson | |||||||||||
| 2016 | Mike MacIntyre, Colorado | |||||||||||
| 2017 | Scott Frost, Central Florida | |||||||||||
| 2018 | Mike Leach, Washington State | |||||||||||
| 2019 | Ed Orgeron, LSU | |||||||||||
| 2020 | Tom Allen, Indiana | |||||||||||
| 2021 | Luke Fickell, Cincinnati | |||||||||||
| 2022 | Sonny Dykes, TCU | |||||||||||
| 2023 | Kalen DeBoer, Washington | |||||||||||
| 2024 | Curt Cignetti, Indiana | |||||||||||
For more information about the AFCA, visit www.AFCA.com. For more interesting articles, check out The Insider and subscribe to our weekly email.
If you are interested in more in-depth articles and videos, please become an AFCA member. You can find out more information about membership and specific member benefits on the AFCA Membership Overview page. If you are ready to join, please fill out the AFCA Membership Application.
