Matt Entz, Damon Wilson, Jeff McMartin and Steve Ryan Named AFCA’s 2021 FCS, Division II, Division III and NAIA National Coaches of the Year
January 10, 2022
The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) presented its top coaching award — AFCA National Coach of the Year — to four outstanding coaches in Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), Division II, Division III and the NAIA.
North Dakota State’s Matt Entz (FCS), Bowie State’s Damon Wilson (Division II), Central (Iowa) College’s Jeff McMartin (Division III) and Morningside’s Steve Ryan (NAIA) are the 2021 AFCA National Coach of the Year winners.
RELATED ARTICLE: Cincinnati’s Luke Fickell Named 2021 Werner Ladder AFCA FBS National Coach of the Year
The winners are selected by a vote of the Active AFCA members at four-year schools in FCS, Division II, Division III and the NAIA. 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.
Matt Entz earned his second FCS National Coach of the Year honor in his third year as a head coach by leading North Dakota State to 14-1 record, the Missouri Valley Football Conference title and the program’s ninth FCS National Championship. He has an overall record of 37-4 and has led the Bison to two Missouri Valley Football Conference titles. Entz earned his first AFCA national honor in 2019 by guiding NDSU to a 16-0 record and the FCS national title.
Damon Wilson also earned his first AFCA National Coach of the Year honor by leading Bowie State to a 12-2 record, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) title and an appearance in the Division II quarterfinals. In his 12 seasons with the Bulldogs, Wilson has a 89-45 record with four NCAA playoff appearances, seven CIAA Northern Division titles and three CIAA championships. Bowie State hosted two playoff games this season for the first time in program history and their quarterfinal run is also a program first.
RELATED ARTICLE: New Mexico Military Institute’s Kurt Taufa’asau Selected as 2021 ACCFCA Coach of the Year
Jeff McMartin is the second first-time winner for 2021. He guided Central to a 12-1 record, the American Rivers Conference title and a berth in the Division III quarterfinals. McMartin is 140-43 in his 18 years as head coach of the Dutch. Central has won six conference titles, made six appearances in the NCAA playoffs, posted four undefeated regular seasons and never had a losing season with McMartin at the helm.
Steve Ryan earned his fourth AFCA NAIA National Coach of the Year honor after guiding Morningside to a 14-0 record, its 11th consecutive Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) title and their third NAIA National Championship in the last four years. Ryan has an overall record of 208-41 in his 20 years as head coach and has guided Morningside to 18 consecutive post-season appearances, including eight trips to the semifinals in the last nine seasons. Ryan won his first AFCA National Coach of the Year honor in 2012 after leading the Mustangs to a 13-1 record and the program’s first-ever national championship game appearance. He added his second and third honors in 2018 and 2019 after guiding Morningside to the program’s first two NAIA National Championships. He is also a 11-time AFCA Regional Coach of the Year winner.
The winners were honored Monday morning during the 2022 AFCA Convention in San Antonio, Texas.
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.
First Year Coach of the Year: North Dakota State’s Matt Entz joined Miami’s (Fla.) Larry Coker, Richmond’s Mike London and Valdosta State’s David Dean as the only coaches to earn AFCA National Coach of the Year honors in their first season as a head coach. Entz was the FCS winner in 2019 while Coker was the FBS winner in 2001. Dean was the Division II winner in 2007 while London was the FCS winner in 2008.
Most Schools: Jim Tressel and Brian Kelly are the only coaches to win AFCA National Coach of the Year honors at two different schools in two different divisions. Tressel earned AFCA honors at Division I-A Ohio State in 2002 and Division I-AA Youngstown State in 1991 and 1994. Kelly earned AFCA honors in Division II at Grand Valley State in 2002 and 2003 and in FBS at Notre Dame in 2012.
Top Individuals: Larry Kehres of Mount Union is the only coach in AFCA history to win National Coach of the Year honors nine times. He earned the award in Mount Union’s national championship seasons of 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2006 and 2008. Wisconsin-Whitewater’s Lance Leipold is in second place when he earned his sixth AFCA Division III Coach of the Year honor in 2014. Leipold won his other awards in 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2013. Penn State’s Joe Paterno sits third with five AFCA Coach of the Year honors. Paterno earned his awards in FBS in 1968, 1972, 1982, 1986 and 2005. Morningside’s Steve Ryan (NAIA-2012, 2018-19, 2021) joins Northwest Missouri State’s Mel Tjeerdsma (Division II-1998-99-2008-09) and Augustana’s (Ill.) Bob Reade as the only four-time AFCA Coach of the Year winners. Reade earned the honor in 1983-84-85-86 in College Division II (now Division III). Northwest Missouri State’s Adam Dorrel (2013, 2015-16), Grand Valley State and Notre Dame’s Brian Kelly (2002-03, 2012), Carroll’s Mike Van Diest (2003, 2007, 2010), Sioux Falls’ Kalen DeBoer (2006, 2008-09), Appalachian State’s Jerry Moore (2005-06-07), Youngstown State and Ohio State’s Jim Tressel (1991, 1994, 2003), Alabama’s Bear Bryant (1961, 1971, 1973) and North Alabama’s Bobby Wallace (1993-94-95) are the only three-time Coach of the Year winners. Kehres, Leipold, Moore, Reade and Wallace are the only coaches to win the award in three or more consecutive seasons.
Top Schools: Mount Union is the only institution to have a representative win the AFCA National Coach of the Year Award nine times. North Dakota State is now in second place with eight wins. Northwest Missouri State and Wisconsin-Whitewater are the only schools with seven wins. Georgia Southern and Penn State are the only schools with five wins. Alabama, Augustana (Ill.), Grand Valley State, Michigan, Morningside, Ohio State and Wittenberg are four-time winners.
Larry Kehres won all nine awards for Mount Union, Joe Paterno won all five awards for Penn State and Steve Ryan won all four awards for Morningside. North Dakota State’s national winners are Don Morton (1983), Earle Solomonson (1986), Rocky Hager (1988, 1990), Craig Bohl (2012, 2013) and Matt Entz (2019, 2021). Lance Leipold’s six honors and Bob Berezowitz’s 2005 National Coach of the Year award account for Wisconsin-Whitewater’s seven honors. Mel Tjeerdsma’s four wins and Adam Dorrel’s three wins account for Northwest Missouri State’s seven honors. Paul Johnson (1999, 2000), Erk Russell (1986, 1989) and Tim Stowers (1990) are Georgia Southern’s honorees. Lloyd Carr (1997), Fritz Crisler (1947), Bennie Oosterbaan (1948) and Bo Schembechler (1969) are Michigan’s winners. Bill Edwards (1962, 1963) and his successor, Dave Maurer (1973, 1975), are responsible for Wittenberg being listed in the select group. Gene Stallings earned Coach of the Year honors in 1992 to join three-time winner Bear Bryant as Alabama’s winners. Augustana’s Reade accounts for all of his school’s awards. Ohio State’s Jim Tressel joins Carroll Widdoes (1944), Woody Hayes (1957) and Earle Bruce (1979) as one of the four Buckeye coaches to win the award. Chuck Martin (2005-06) joins Brian Kelly (2002-03) as the winners from Grand Valley State.
Appalachian State (Jerry Moore, 2005-06-07), Delaware (Tubby Raymond, 1971-72; K.C. Keeler, 2010), Furman (Dick Sheridan, 1985; Jimmy Satterfield, 1988; Bobby Johnson, 2001), North Alabama (Bobby Wallace, 1993-94-95), Notre Dame (Frank Leahy, 1941; Ara Parseghian, 1964; Brian Kelly, 2012), Sioux Falls (Kalen DeBoer 2006, 2008-09), USC (John McKay, 1962, 1972; Pete Carroll, 2003) and Valdosta State (Chris Hatcher, 2004; David Dean, 2007, 2012) are all in the exclusive group of schools having three winners each.
Two-Timers: Jim Butterfield, Ithaca (1988, 1991); Glenn Caruso, St. Thomas (Minn.) (2012, 2015); David Dean; Kevin Donley, St. Francis (Ind.) (2016-17); Bill Edwards; Matt Entz; Joe Glenn, Northern Colorado (1996-97); Rocky Hager; Mark Henninger, Marian (2014-15); Paul Johnson; Chuck Martin; Dave Maurer; John McKay; Gary Patterson, TCU (2009, 2014); Harold “Tubby” Raymond; Darrell Royal, Texas (1963, 1970); Erk Russell and Andy Talley, Villanova (1997, 2009) are repeat winners.
Back-to-Back: Steve Ryan, Kalen DeBoer, Kevin Donley, Adam Dorrel, Bill Edwards, Joe Glenn, Mark Henninger, Paul Johnson, Larry Kehres, Brian Kelly, Lance Leipold, Chuck Martin, Jerry Moore, Tubby Raymond, Bob Reade, Mel Tjeerdsma, Bobby Wallace and Craig Bohl are the only coaches to win national honors in consecutive years. No FBS coach has won the award in consecutive years. Kehres is the only coach to win three consecutive Coach of the Year awards twice, while Tjeerdsma is the only coach to win two consecutive Coach of the Year awards twice. Leipold won three straight from 2009-11, then went back-to-back in 2013-14, making him the only coach to accomplish that feat.
Fit to be Tied: In 2003, Brian Kelly and Mike Van Diest became the fourth duo in the history of the AFCA National Coach of the Year award to finish in a tie for the honor and the first non-FBS coaches to share the award. Larry Coker of Miami (Fla.) and Ralph Friedgen of Maryland finished in a tie for the honor in 2001. In 1964, Frank Broyles of Arkansas and Ara Parseghian of Notre Dame shared the award, and in 1970, Charlie McClendon of LSU and Darrell Royal of Texas were co-winners.
AFCA Coach of the Year Winners – All Time List
Football Championship Subdivision
1983 Rey Dempsey, Southern Illinois
1984 Dave Arnold, Montana St.
1985 Dick Sheridan, Furman
1986 Erk Russell, Georgia Southern
1987 Mark Duffner, Holy Cross
1988 Jimmy Satterfield, Furman
1989 Erk Russell, Georgia Southern
1990 Tim Stowers, Georgia Southern
1991 Jim Tressel, Youngstown St.
1992 Charlie Taaffe, The Citadel
1993 Dan Allen, Boston University
1994 Jim Tressel, Youngstown St.
1995 Don Read, Montana
1996 Ray Tellier, Columbia
1997 Andy Talley, Villanova
1998 Mark Whipple, Massachusetts
1999 Paul Johnson, Georgia Southern
2000 Paul Johnson, Georgia Southern
2001 Bobby Johnson, Furman
2002 Jack Harbaugh, Western Kentucky
2003 Dick Biddle, Colgate
2004 Mickey Matthews, James Madison
2005 Jerry Moore, Appalachian St.
2006 Jerry Moore, Appalachian St.
2007 Jerry Moore, Appalachian St.
2008 Mike London, Richmond
2009 Andy Talley, Villanova
2010 K.C. Keeler, Delaware
2011 Willie Fritz, Sam Houston St.
2012 Craig Bohl, North Dakota St.
2013 Craig Bohl, North Dakota St.
2014 Sean McDonnell, New Hampshire
2015 John Grass, Jacksonville St.
2016 Mike Houston, James Madison
2017 Brian Bohannon, Kennesaw St.
2018 Joe Harasymiak, Maine
2019 Matt Entz, North Dakota St.
2021 Spring – Scott Wachenheim, VMI
Division II
1983 Don Morton, North Dakota St.
1984 Chan Gailey, Troy St.
1985 George Landis, Bloomsburg
1986 Earle Solomonson, North Dakota St.
1987 Rick Rhoades, Troy St.
1988 Rocky Hager, North Dakota St.
1989 John Williams, Mississippi College
1990 Rocky Hager, North Dakota St.
1991 Chuck Broyles, Pittsburg St.
1992 Bill Burgess, Jacksonville St.
1993 Bobby Wallace, North Alabama
1994 Bobby Wallace, North Alabama
1995 Bobby Wallace, North Alabama
1996 Joe Glenn, Northern Colorado
1997 Joe Glenn, Northern Colorado
1998 Mel Tjeerdsma, Northwest Mo. St.
1999 Mel Tjeerdsma, Northwest Mo. St.
2000 Danny Hale, Bloomsburg
2001 Dale Lennon, North Dakota
2002 Brian Kelly, Grand Valley St.
2003 Brian Kelly, Grand Valley St.; Mike Van Diest, Carroll (Mont.) (tie)
2004 Chris Hatcher, Valdosta St.
2005 Chuck Martin, Grand Valley St.
2006 Chuck Martin, Grand Valley St.
2007 David Dean, Valdosta St.
2008 Mel Tjeerdsma, Northwest Mo. St.
2009 Mel Tjeerdsma, Northwest Mo. St.
2010 Bob Nielson, Minnesota-Duluth
2011 Paul Winters, Wayne St. (Mich.)
2012 David Dean, Valdosta St.
2013 Adam Dorrel, Northwest Mo. St.
2014 John Wristen, Colorado St.-Pueblo
2015 Adam Dorrel, Northwest Mo. St.
2016 Adam Dorrel, Northwest Mo. St.
2017 Pete Shinnick, West Florida
2018 Drew Cronic, Lenoir-Rhyne
2019 Todd Hoffner, Minnesota St.
Division III
1983 Bob Reade, Augustana (Ill.)
1984 Bob Reade, Augustana (Ill.)
1985 Bob Reade, Augustana (Ill.)
1986 Bob Reade, Augustana (Ill.)
1987 Walt Hameline, Wagner
1988 Jim Butterfield, Ithaca
1989 Mike Kelly, Dayton
1990 Ken O’Keefe, Allegheny
1991 Jim Butterfield, Ithaca
1992 John Luckhardt, Wash. & Jeff.
1993 Larry Kehres, Mount Union
1994 Pete Schmidt, Albion
1995 Roger Harring, Wis.-La Crosse
1996 Larry Kehres, Mount Union
1997 Larry Kehres, Mount Union
1998 Larry Kehres, Mount Union
1999 Frosty Westering, Pacific Lutheran
2000 Larry Kehres, Mount Union
2001 Larry Kehres, Mount Union
2002 Larry Kehres, Mount Union
2003 John Gagliardi, St. John’s (Minn.)
2004 Jay Locey, Linfield
2005 Bob Berezowitz, Wis.-Whitewater
2006 Larry Kehres, Mount Union
2007 Lance Leipold, Wis.-Whitewater
2008 Larry Kehres, Mount Union
2009 Lance Leipold, Wis.-Whitewater
2010 Lance Leipold, Wis.-Whitewater
2011 Lance Leipold, Wis.-Whitewater
2012 Glenn Caruso, St. Thomas
2013 Lance Leipold, Wis.-Whitewater
2014 Lance Leipold, Wis.-Whitewater
2015 Glenn Caruso, St. Thomas
2016 Pete Fredenburg, Mary Hardin-Baylor
2017 Jason Mangone, Brockport
2018 Jim Margraff, Johns Hopkins
2019 Nate Milne, Muhlenberg
NAIA
2006 Kalen DeBoer, Sioux Falls
2007 Mike Van Diest, Carroll (Mont.)
2008 Kalen DeBoer, Sioux Falls
2009 Kalen DeBoer, Sioux Falls
2010 Mike Van Diest, Carroll (Mont.)
2011 Mike Feminis, Saint Xavier
2012 Steve Ryan, Morningside
2013 Mike Woodley, Grand View
2014 Mark Henninger, Marian
2015 Mark Henninger, Marian
2016 Kevin Donley, St. Francis (Ind.)
2017 Kevin Donley, St. Francis (Ind.)
2018 Steve Ryan, Morningside
2019 Steve Ryan, Morningside
2021 Spring – Chris Oliver, Lindsey Wilson
College Division
1960 Warren Woodson, New Mexico St.
1961 Alonzo S. Gaither, Florida A&M
1962 William M. Edwards, Wittenberg
1963 William M. Edwards, Wittenberg
1964 Clarence Stasavich, East Carolina
1965 Jack Curtice, UC-Santa Barbara
1966 Dan Jessee, Trinity College
1967 A.C. Moore, UT-Chattanooga
1968 Jim Root, New Hampshire
1969 Larry Naviaux, Boston University
1970 Bennie Ellender, Arkansas St.
1971 Tubby Raymond, Delaware
1972 Tubby Raymond, Delaware
1973 Dave Maurer, Wittenberg
1974 Roy Kramer, Central Michigan
1975 Dave Maurer, Wittenberg
1976 Jim Dennison, Akron
1977 Bill Manlove, Widener
1978 Lee Tressel, Baldwin-Wallace
1979 Bill Narduzzi, Youngstown St
1980 Rick Carter, Dayton
1981 Vito Ragazzo, Shippensburg St.
- Jim Wacker, Southwest Texas St.
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The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) presented its top coaching award — AFCA National Coach of the Year — to four outstanding coaches in Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), Division II, Division III and the NAIA.
North Dakota State’s Matt Entz (FCS), Bowie State’s Damon Wilson (Division II), Central (Iowa) College’s Jeff McMartin (Division III) and Morningside’s Steve Ryan (NAIA) are the 2021 AFCA National Coach of the Year winners.
RELATED ARTICLE: Cincinnati’s Luke Fickell Named 2021 Werner Ladder AFCA FBS National Coach of the Year
The winners are selected by a vote of the Active AFCA members at four-year schools in FCS, Division II, Division III and the NAIA. 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.
Matt Entz earned his second FCS National Coach of the Year honor in his third year as a head coach by leading North Dakota State to 14-1 record, the Missouri Valley Football Conference title and the program’s ninth FCS National Championship. He has an overall record of 37-4 and has led the Bison to two Missouri Valley Football Conference titles. Entz earned his first AFCA national honor in 2019 by guiding NDSU to a 16-0 record and the FCS national title.
Damon Wilson also earned his first AFCA National Coach of the Year honor by leading Bowie State to a 12-2 record, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) title and an appearance in the Division II quarterfinals. In his 12 seasons with the Bulldogs, Wilson has a 89-45 record with four NCAA playoff appearances, seven CIAA Northern Division titles and three CIAA championships. Bowie State hosted two playoff games this season for the first time in program history and their quarterfinal run is also a program first.
RELATED ARTICLE: New Mexico Military Institute’s Kurt Taufa’asau Selected as 2021 ACCFCA Coach of the Year
Jeff McMartin is the second first-time winner for 2021. He guided Central to a 12-1 record, the American Rivers Conference title and a berth in the Division III quarterfinals. McMartin is 140-43 in his 18 years as head coach of the Dutch. Central has won six conference titles, made six appearances in the NCAA playoffs, posted four undefeated regular seasons and never had a losing season with McMartin at the helm.
Steve Ryan earned his fourth AFCA NAIA National Coach of the Year honor after guiding Morningside to a 14-0 record, its 11th consecutive Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) title and their third NAIA National Championship in the last four years. Ryan has an overall record of 208-41 in his 20 years as head coach and has guided Morningside to 18 consecutive post-season appearances, including eight trips to the semifinals in the last nine seasons. Ryan won his first AFCA National Coach of the Year honor in 2012 after leading the Mustangs to a 13-1 record and the program’s first-ever national championship game appearance. He added his second and third honors in 2018 and 2019 after guiding Morningside to the program’s first two NAIA National Championships. He is also a 11-time AFCA Regional Coach of the Year winner.
The winners were honored Monday morning during the 2022 AFCA Convention in San Antonio, Texas.
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.
First Year Coach of the Year: North Dakota State’s Matt Entz joined Miami’s (Fla.) Larry Coker, Richmond’s Mike London and Valdosta State’s David Dean as the only coaches to earn AFCA National Coach of the Year honors in their first season as a head coach. Entz was the FCS winner in 2019 while Coker was the FBS winner in 2001. Dean was the Division II winner in 2007 while London was the FCS winner in 2008.
Most Schools: Jim Tressel and Brian Kelly are the only coaches to win AFCA National Coach of the Year honors at two different schools in two different divisions. Tressel earned AFCA honors at Division I-A Ohio State in 2002 and Division I-AA Youngstown State in 1991 and 1994. Kelly earned AFCA honors in Division II at Grand Valley State in 2002 and 2003 and in FBS at Notre Dame in 2012.
Top Individuals: Larry Kehres of Mount Union is the only coach in AFCA history to win National Coach of the Year honors nine times. He earned the award in Mount Union’s national championship seasons of 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2006 and 2008. Wisconsin-Whitewater’s Lance Leipold is in second place when he earned his sixth AFCA Division III Coach of the Year honor in 2014. Leipold won his other awards in 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2013. Penn State’s Joe Paterno sits third with five AFCA Coach of the Year honors. Paterno earned his awards in FBS in 1968, 1972, 1982, 1986 and 2005. Morningside’s Steve Ryan (NAIA-2012, 2018-19, 2021) joins Northwest Missouri State’s Mel Tjeerdsma (Division II-1998-99-2008-09) and Augustana’s (Ill.) Bob Reade as the only four-time AFCA Coach of the Year winners. Reade earned the honor in 1983-84-85-86 in College Division II (now Division III). Northwest Missouri State’s Adam Dorrel (2013, 2015-16), Grand Valley State and Notre Dame’s Brian Kelly (2002-03, 2012), Carroll’s Mike Van Diest (2003, 2007, 2010), Sioux Falls’ Kalen DeBoer (2006, 2008-09), Appalachian State’s Jerry Moore (2005-06-07), Youngstown State and Ohio State’s Jim Tressel (1991, 1994, 2003), Alabama’s Bear Bryant (1961, 1971, 1973) and North Alabama’s Bobby Wallace (1993-94-95) are the only three-time Coach of the Year winners. Kehres, Leipold, Moore, Reade and Wallace are the only coaches to win the award in three or more consecutive seasons.
Top Schools: Mount Union is the only institution to have a representative win the AFCA National Coach of the Year Award nine times. North Dakota State is now in second place with eight wins. Northwest Missouri State and Wisconsin-Whitewater are the only schools with seven wins. Georgia Southern and Penn State are the only schools with five wins. Alabama, Augustana (Ill.), Grand Valley State, Michigan, Morningside, Ohio State and Wittenberg are four-time winners.
Larry Kehres won all nine awards for Mount Union, Joe Paterno won all five awards for Penn State and Steve Ryan won all four awards for Morningside. North Dakota State’s national winners are Don Morton (1983), Earle Solomonson (1986), Rocky Hager (1988, 1990), Craig Bohl (2012, 2013) and Matt Entz (2019, 2021). Lance Leipold’s six honors and Bob Berezowitz’s 2005 National Coach of the Year award account for Wisconsin-Whitewater’s seven honors. Mel Tjeerdsma’s four wins and Adam Dorrel’s three wins account for Northwest Missouri State’s seven honors. Paul Johnson (1999, 2000), Erk Russell (1986, 1989) and Tim Stowers (1990) are Georgia Southern’s honorees. Lloyd Carr (1997), Fritz Crisler (1947), Bennie Oosterbaan (1948) and Bo Schembechler (1969) are Michigan’s winners. Bill Edwards (1962, 1963) and his successor, Dave Maurer (1973, 1975), are responsible for Wittenberg being listed in the select group. Gene Stallings earned Coach of the Year honors in 1992 to join three-time winner Bear Bryant as Alabama’s winners. Augustana’s Reade accounts for all of his school’s awards. Ohio State’s Jim Tressel joins Carroll Widdoes (1944), Woody Hayes (1957) and Earle Bruce (1979) as one of the four Buckeye coaches to win the award. Chuck Martin (2005-06) joins Brian Kelly (2002-03) as the winners from Grand Valley State.
Appalachian State (Jerry Moore, 2005-06-07), Delaware (Tubby Raymond, 1971-72; K.C. Keeler, 2010), Furman (Dick Sheridan, 1985; Jimmy Satterfield, 1988; Bobby Johnson, 2001), North Alabama (Bobby Wallace, 1993-94-95), Notre Dame (Frank Leahy, 1941; Ara Parseghian, 1964; Brian Kelly, 2012), Sioux Falls (Kalen DeBoer 2006, 2008-09), USC (John McKay, 1962, 1972; Pete Carroll, 2003) and Valdosta State (Chris Hatcher, 2004; David Dean, 2007, 2012) are all in the exclusive group of schools having three winners each.
Two-Timers: Jim Butterfield, Ithaca (1988, 1991); Glenn Caruso, St. Thomas (Minn.) (2012, 2015); David Dean; Kevin Donley, St. Francis (Ind.) (2016-17); Bill Edwards; Matt Entz; Joe Glenn, Northern Colorado (1996-97); Rocky Hager; Mark Henninger, Marian (2014-15); Paul Johnson; Chuck Martin; Dave Maurer; John McKay; Gary Patterson, TCU (2009, 2014); Harold “Tubby” Raymond; Darrell Royal, Texas (1963, 1970); Erk Russell and Andy Talley, Villanova (1997, 2009) are repeat winners.
Back-to-Back: Steve Ryan, Kalen DeBoer, Kevin Donley, Adam Dorrel, Bill Edwards, Joe Glenn, Mark Henninger, Paul Johnson, Larry Kehres, Brian Kelly, Lance Leipold, Chuck Martin, Jerry Moore, Tubby Raymond, Bob Reade, Mel Tjeerdsma, Bobby Wallace and Craig Bohl are the only coaches to win national honors in consecutive years. No FBS coach has won the award in consecutive years. Kehres is the only coach to win three consecutive Coach of the Year awards twice, while Tjeerdsma is the only coach to win two consecutive Coach of the Year awards twice. Leipold won three straight from 2009-11, then went back-to-back in 2013-14, making him the only coach to accomplish that feat.
Fit to be Tied: In 2003, Brian Kelly and Mike Van Diest became the fourth duo in the history of the AFCA National Coach of the Year award to finish in a tie for the honor and the first non-FBS coaches to share the award. Larry Coker of Miami (Fla.) and Ralph Friedgen of Maryland finished in a tie for the honor in 2001. In 1964, Frank Broyles of Arkansas and Ara Parseghian of Notre Dame shared the award, and in 1970, Charlie McClendon of LSU and Darrell Royal of Texas were co-winners.
AFCA Coach of the Year Winners – All Time List
Football Championship Subdivision
1983 Rey Dempsey, Southern Illinois
1984 Dave Arnold, Montana St.
1985 Dick Sheridan, Furman
1986 Erk Russell, Georgia Southern
1987 Mark Duffner, Holy Cross
1988 Jimmy Satterfield, Furman
1989 Erk Russell, Georgia Southern
1990 Tim Stowers, Georgia Southern
1991 Jim Tressel, Youngstown St.
1992 Charlie Taaffe, The Citadel
1993 Dan Allen, Boston University
1994 Jim Tressel, Youngstown St.
1995 Don Read, Montana
1996 Ray Tellier, Columbia
1997 Andy Talley, Villanova
1998 Mark Whipple, Massachusetts
1999 Paul Johnson, Georgia Southern
2000 Paul Johnson, Georgia Southern
2001 Bobby Johnson, Furman
2002 Jack Harbaugh, Western Kentucky
2003 Dick Biddle, Colgate
2004 Mickey Matthews, James Madison
2005 Jerry Moore, Appalachian St.
2006 Jerry Moore, Appalachian St.
2007 Jerry Moore, Appalachian St.
2008 Mike London, Richmond
2009 Andy Talley, Villanova
2010 K.C. Keeler, Delaware
2011 Willie Fritz, Sam Houston St.
2012 Craig Bohl, North Dakota St.
2013 Craig Bohl, North Dakota St.
2014 Sean McDonnell, New Hampshire
2015 John Grass, Jacksonville St.
2016 Mike Houston, James Madison
2017 Brian Bohannon, Kennesaw St.
2018 Joe Harasymiak, Maine
2019 Matt Entz, North Dakota St.
2021 Spring – Scott Wachenheim, VMI
Division II
1983 Don Morton, North Dakota St.
1984 Chan Gailey, Troy St.
1985 George Landis, Bloomsburg
1986 Earle Solomonson, North Dakota St.
1987 Rick Rhoades, Troy St.
1988 Rocky Hager, North Dakota St.
1989 John Williams, Mississippi College
1990 Rocky Hager, North Dakota St.
1991 Chuck Broyles, Pittsburg St.
1992 Bill Burgess, Jacksonville St.
1993 Bobby Wallace, North Alabama
1994 Bobby Wallace, North Alabama
1995 Bobby Wallace, North Alabama
1996 Joe Glenn, Northern Colorado
1997 Joe Glenn, Northern Colorado
1998 Mel Tjeerdsma, Northwest Mo. St.
1999 Mel Tjeerdsma, Northwest Mo. St.
2000 Danny Hale, Bloomsburg
2001 Dale Lennon, North Dakota
2002 Brian Kelly, Grand Valley St.
2003 Brian Kelly, Grand Valley St.; Mike Van Diest, Carroll (Mont.) (tie)
2004 Chris Hatcher, Valdosta St.
2005 Chuck Martin, Grand Valley St.
2006 Chuck Martin, Grand Valley St.
2007 David Dean, Valdosta St.
2008 Mel Tjeerdsma, Northwest Mo. St.
2009 Mel Tjeerdsma, Northwest Mo. St.
2010 Bob Nielson, Minnesota-Duluth
2011 Paul Winters, Wayne St. (Mich.)
2012 David Dean, Valdosta St.
2013 Adam Dorrel, Northwest Mo. St.
2014 John Wristen, Colorado St.-Pueblo
2015 Adam Dorrel, Northwest Mo. St.
2016 Adam Dorrel, Northwest Mo. St.
2017 Pete Shinnick, West Florida
2018 Drew Cronic, Lenoir-Rhyne
2019 Todd Hoffner, Minnesota St.
Division III
1983 Bob Reade, Augustana (Ill.)
1984 Bob Reade, Augustana (Ill.)
1985 Bob Reade, Augustana (Ill.)
1986 Bob Reade, Augustana (Ill.)
1987 Walt Hameline, Wagner
1988 Jim Butterfield, Ithaca
1989 Mike Kelly, Dayton
1990 Ken O’Keefe, Allegheny
1991 Jim Butterfield, Ithaca
1992 John Luckhardt, Wash. & Jeff.
1993 Larry Kehres, Mount Union
1994 Pete Schmidt, Albion
1995 Roger Harring, Wis.-La Crosse
1996 Larry Kehres, Mount Union
1997 Larry Kehres, Mount Union
1998 Larry Kehres, Mount Union
1999 Frosty Westering, Pacific Lutheran
2000 Larry Kehres, Mount Union
2001 Larry Kehres, Mount Union
2002 Larry Kehres, Mount Union
2003 John Gagliardi, St. John’s (Minn.)
2004 Jay Locey, Linfield
2005 Bob Berezowitz, Wis.-Whitewater
2006 Larry Kehres, Mount Union
2007 Lance Leipold, Wis.-Whitewater
2008 Larry Kehres, Mount Union
2009 Lance Leipold, Wis.-Whitewater
2010 Lance Leipold, Wis.-Whitewater
2011 Lance Leipold, Wis.-Whitewater
2012 Glenn Caruso, St. Thomas
2013 Lance Leipold, Wis.-Whitewater
2014 Lance Leipold, Wis.-Whitewater
2015 Glenn Caruso, St. Thomas
2016 Pete Fredenburg, Mary Hardin-Baylor
2017 Jason Mangone, Brockport
2018 Jim Margraff, Johns Hopkins
2019 Nate Milne, Muhlenberg
NAIA
2006 Kalen DeBoer, Sioux Falls
2007 Mike Van Diest, Carroll (Mont.)
2008 Kalen DeBoer, Sioux Falls
2009 Kalen DeBoer, Sioux Falls
2010 Mike Van Diest, Carroll (Mont.)
2011 Mike Feminis, Saint Xavier
2012 Steve Ryan, Morningside
2013 Mike Woodley, Grand View
2014 Mark Henninger, Marian
2015 Mark Henninger, Marian
2016 Kevin Donley, St. Francis (Ind.)
2017 Kevin Donley, St. Francis (Ind.)
2018 Steve Ryan, Morningside
2019 Steve Ryan, Morningside
2021 Spring – Chris Oliver, Lindsey Wilson
College Division
1960 Warren Woodson, New Mexico St.
1961 Alonzo S. Gaither, Florida A&M
1962 William M. Edwards, Wittenberg
1963 William M. Edwards, Wittenberg
1964 Clarence Stasavich, East Carolina
1965 Jack Curtice, UC-Santa Barbara
1966 Dan Jessee, Trinity College
1967 A.C. Moore, UT-Chattanooga
1968 Jim Root, New Hampshire
1969 Larry Naviaux, Boston University
1970 Bennie Ellender, Arkansas St.
1971 Tubby Raymond, Delaware
1972 Tubby Raymond, Delaware
1973 Dave Maurer, Wittenberg
1974 Roy Kramer, Central Michigan
1975 Dave Maurer, Wittenberg
1976 Jim Dennison, Akron
1977 Bill Manlove, Widener
1978 Lee Tressel, Baldwin-Wallace
1979 Bill Narduzzi, Youngstown St
1980 Rick Carter, Dayton
1981 Vito Ragazzo, Shippensburg St.
- Jim Wacker, Southwest Texas St.
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