Awards
AFCA Coach Of The Year
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.
Past Award Winners
Football Bowl Subdivision
1935 Lynn Waldorf, Northwestern
1936 Dick Harlow, Harvard
1937 Edward E. Mylin, Lafayette
1938 Bill Kern, Carnegie Tech
1939 Dr. Eddie Anderson, Iowa
1940 Clark Shaughnessy, Stanford
1941 Frank Leahy, Notre Dame
1942 Bill Alexander, Georgia Tech
1943 Amos Alonzo Stagg, Pacific
1944 Carroll Widdoes, Ohio St.
1945 Bo McMillin, Indiana
1946 Red Blaik, Army
1947 Fritz Crisler, Michigan
1948 Bennie Oosterbaan, Michigan
1949 Bud Wilkinson, Oklahoma
1950 Charles Caldwell, Princeton
1951 Charles Taylor, Stanford
1952 Biggie Munn, Michigan St.
1953 James Tatum, Maryland
1954 Red Sanders, UCLA
1955 Duffy Daugherty, Michigan St.
1956 Bowden Wyatt, Tennessee
1957 Woody Hayes, Ohio St.
1958 Paul Dietzel, Louisiana St.
1959 Ben Schwartzwalder, Syracuse
1960 Murray Warmath, Minnesota
1961 Paul “Bear” Bryant, Alabama
1962 John McKay, USC
1963 Darrell Royal, Texas
1964 Frank Broyles, Arkansas & Ara Parseghian, Notre Dame (tie)
1965 Tommy Prothro, UCLA
1966 Tom Cahill, Army
1967 John Pont, Indiana
1968 Joe Paterno, Penn St.
1969 Bo Schembechler, Michigan
1970 Charlie McClendon, LSU & Darrell Royal, Texas (tie)
1971 Paul “Bear” Bryant, Alabama
1972 John McKay, USC
1973 Paul “Bear” Bryant, Alabama
1974 Grant Teaff, Baylor
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
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 State
2021 (Spring) Scott Wachenheim, Virginia Military Institute
2021 Matt Entz, North Dakota State
2022 John Stiegelmeier, South Dakota State
2023 Greg Gattuso, UAlbany
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 Conic, Lenoir-Rhyne
2019 Todd Hoffner, Minnesota State
2021 Damon Wilson, Bowie State
2022 Brandon Moore, Colorado School Mines
2023 Paul Simmons, Harding
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
2021 Jeff McMartin, Central
2022 Steve Johnson, Bethel (Minn.)
2023 Curt Fitzpatrick, Cortland
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
2020 Chris Oliver, Lindsey Wilson
2021 Steve Ryan, Morningside
2022 Matt McCarty, Northwestern (Iowa)
2023 Doug Socha, Keiser
Allstate Good Works Team® Award
Since 2008 Allstate Insurance Company has been the title sponsor of the AFCA Good Works Teams, which honors football student-athletes for exemplary community service.
Two 11-man teams are selected for the Allstate AFCA Good Works Teams®, one team from the Football Bowl Subdivision and a second team combined from the Football Championship Subdivision, NCAA Division II and III and the NAIA. The AFCA has been overseeing the selection of the teams since 1997, taking over from the College Football Association (now defunct), which originated the concept in Division I-A in 1992. The AFCA expanded the program to include all four-year collegiate divisions.
Nominations are submitted early in the summer by sports information directors around the country. Nominees must be actively involved and committed to working with a charitable organization, service group or community service and maintain good grades.
Candidates must display sincere concern and reliability, while also having made a favorable impression on the organizations with which they are involved. Athletic ability is not a criterion.
Learn More About the 2023 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team
The AFCA Coaches Trophy Presented by US LBM
Since 1986, the winner of the UPI or Coaches Poll has received the AFCA Coaches’ Trophy. The trophy features a football made of Waterford crystal and an ebony base. After its presentation, the original trophy is displayed on the campus of the winning school.
The trophy will be awarded to the No. 1-ranked team, and national champion, in the Coaches Poll following the conclusion of the college football season.
The Coaches’ Trophy was first presented to the winner of the UPI Coaches’ Poll in 1986, when it was sponsored by the Gerrits/Pepsi Cola Foundation. McDonalds presented the trophy from 1991 to 1993. From 1994 to 2001, the trophy was presented by Sears as part of its Collegiate Champions program. Circuit City was the sponsor of the trophy in 2002, then ADT Security Services took over the sponsorship from 2003 to 2005, followed by Dr. Pepper from 2009-13, and Amway from 2004-2020. US LBM became the presenting sponsor in 2023.
The AFCA also awards trophies to the national champions in NCAA Divisions FCS, II, III, and the NAIA, along with plaques to all AFCA-member coaches whose teams win conference championships, or for those not affiliated with a conference and qualify for the playoffs in their respective NCAA or NAIA divisions.
Tuss McLaughry Award
The Tuss McLaughry Award is given to a distinguished American (or Americans) for the highest distinction in service to others. It is named in honor of DeOrmond “Tuss” McLaughry, the first full-time secretary-treasurer of the AFCA and one of the most dedicated and influential members in the history of the Association.
The award was established in 1964. The recipient is endorsed by the AFCA Board of Trustees after being nominated by the McLaughry Award Committee.
McLaughry played a leading role in the development of the AFCA while at the same time establishing a reputation as a successful head coach at some of the most prestigious academic schools in the East. He worked diligently throughout his lifetime to advance the best interests of the football coaching profession.
Past Award Winners
1964 Gen. Douglas MacArthur, armed forces
1965 Bob Hope, entertainer
1966 Lyndon B. Johnson, U.S. President
1967 Dwight D. Eisenhower, U.S. President
1968 J. Edgar Hoover, director, FBI
1969 The Reverend Billy Graham, evangelist
1970 Richard M. Nixon, U.S. President
1971 Edwin Aldrin, Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, Apollo 11 astronauts
1974 John Wayne, actor
1975 Gerald R. Ford, U.S. President
1977 Gen. James A. Van Fleet, armed forces
1979 Jimmy Stewart, actor
1980 Lt. Gen. Jimmy Doolittle, armed forces
1981 Dr. Jerome Holland, educator, business executive
1982 Robert Crippen & John Young, astronauts
1983 Ronald Reagan, U.S. President
1985 Pete Rozelle, NFL Commissioner
1986 Gen. Pete Dawkins, armed forces
1987 Gen. Chuck Yeager, armed forces
1988 Lindsey Nelson, sportscaster
1989 George Shultz, U.S. Secretary of State
1990 Burt Reynolds, actor
1993 Tom Landry, Head Coach, Dallas Cowboys
1994 Charley Boswell, armed forces
1996 Eddie Robinson, Head Coach, Grambling St.
1998 George Bush, U.S. President
2001 Andrew Young, United Nations Ambassador
2002 Roger Staubach, businessman, NFL Hall of Famer
2003 Stephen Ambrose, Author and historian
2004 Gen. Tommy Franks, armed forces
2005 Dr. Christopher Kraft, NASA
2007 Paul Tagliabue, NFL Commissioner
2008 Tom Osborne, Head Coach, Nebraska
2009 Rudy Giuliani, former mayor, New York City
2010 Tony Dungy, Head Coach, Indianapolis Colts
2013 Robert Mueller, Director, FBI
2014 Jeffrey Immelt, CEO, General Electric
2016 William McRaven, Chancellor, University of Texas System
2017 Grant Teaff, AFCA Executive Director, Head Coach
2018 Jack Lengyel, Head Coach and Athletic Administrator
2019 Verne Lundquist, Broadcaster
2020 Chuck Neinas, College Football Association
2022 Brian Hainline, M.D., NCAA
2023 Bob Bowlsby, Big 12 Commissioner
2024 Archie Manning, NFF Chairman
Power of Influence Award
In 2002, the American Football Coaches Association and the American Football Coaches Foundation decided to implement a national award for high school head coaches. Since this award is so prestigious, we ask state high school coaches associations to nominate the most deserving head football coach in their organization.
The AFCA and The Foundation take great pride in nationally recognizing a high school football head coach who, for a lifetime, has had a powerful influence on his staff, players, and his community.
Past Award Winners
2002 Larry Dippel, Amarillo (Texas) H.S.
2003 John McKissick, Summerville (S.C.) H.S.
2004 Marcus Borden, East Brunswick (N.J.) H.S.
2005 Ron Stolski, Brainerd (Minn.) H.S.
2006 Sid Otton, Tumwater (Wash.) H.S.
2007 Rob Younger, Sweet Home (Ore.) H.S.
2008 George Smith, St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.) H.S.
2009 Jim Drewry, Booneville (Miss.) H.S.
2010 Brent Steuerwald, Shenendehowa (N.Y.) H.S.
2011 Noel Dean, Lowell (Mich.) H.S.
2012 Andy Lowry, Columbine (Colo.) H.S.
2013 Bob Burt, Cypress (Calif.) H.S.
2014 Ott Hurrle, Scecina Memorial (Ind.) H.S.
2015 Sam Harrell, Fort Worth Christian (Texas) H.S.
2016 Tony DeMatteo, Somers (N.Y.) H.S.
2017 Allan Trimble, Jenks (Okla.) H.S.
2018 Rick Jones, Greenwood (Ark.) H.S.
2019 Dave Nelson, Minnetonka (Minn.) H.S.
2020 Don Smolyn, Lenape Valley Regional (N.J.) H.S.
2021 Bill Blankenship, Owasso (Okla.) H.S.
2022 Dwight Lundeen, Becker (Minn.) H.S.
2023 Rodney Saulsberry Sr., Whitehaven (Tenn.) H.S.
Academic Achievement Award
The Academic Achievement Award was originally established by the College Football Association in 1981 and was presented annually by the Memphis Touchdown Club through 1997. The award recognized the CFA-member FBS institution with the highest graduation rate among members of its football team.
With the disintegration of the CFA, the American Football Coaches Association stepped in to continue to present the award, along with long-time partner, the Memphis Touchdown Club. The criteria for the AFCA’s Academic Achievement Award is based on the highest NCAA Graduation Success Rate.
For more information on the Memphis Touchdown Club, visit www.tdcmemphis.com
Trailblazer Award
The AFCA Trailblazer Award was created to honor early leaders in the football coaching profession who coached at historically black colleges and universities. For a five-year period, the Trailblazer Award will be given to an individual who coached in a certain decade. The inaugural winner coached in the decade from 1920 to 1929, with the five-year cycle ending in 2008 and a winner coming from the 1960-1969 decade. In 2009, the cycle started over with a winner coming from the decade between 1920 and 1929.
Past Award Winners
2004 Charles Williams, Hampton
2005 Cleve Abbott, Tuskegee
2006 Arnett Mumford, Southern
2007 Billy Nicks, Prairie View A&M
2008 Alonzo “Jake” Gaither, Florida A&M
2009 Fred “Pops” Long, Wiley
2010 Harry R. “Big Jeff” Jefferson, Bluefield State
2011 Edward P. Hurt, Morgan State
2012 Vernon “Skip” McCain, Maryland-Eastern Shore
2013 Marino Casem, Alcorn State
2014 Gideon Smith, Hampton
2015 Eddie Robinson, Grambling State
2016 Oree Banks, South Carolina State and West Virginia State
2017 John Merritt, Jackson State and Tennessee State
2018 Earl Banks, Morgan State
2019 Bill Hayes, Winston-Salem State and North Carolina A&T
2021 Edward Jackson, Delaware State
2022 Henry Kean, Kentucky State & Tennessee State
2023 Edward Clemons, Edward Waters, Lane, Morris Brown, Jackson St.
Amos Alonzo Stagg Award
The Amos Alonzo Stagg Award is given to the “individual, group or institution whose services have been outstanding in the advancement of the best interests of football.” Its purpose is “to perpetuate the example and influence of Amos Alonzo Stagg.”
The award is named in honor of a man who was instrumental in founding the AFCA in the 1920s. He is considered one of the great innovators and motivating forces in the early development of the game of football. The plaque given to each recipient is a replica of the one given to Stagg at the 1939 AFCA Convention in tribute to his 50 years of service to football.
Past Award Winners
1940 Donald Herring, Jr., (Princeton player) and family
1941 William H. Cowell (posthumously), New Hampshire
1946 Grantland Rice, sportswriter
1947 William A. Alexander, Georgia Tech
1948 Gilmour Dobie, North Dakota State, Washington, Navy, Cornell, Boston College
Glenn S. “Pop” Warner, Georgia, Cornell, Carlisle, Pittsburgh, Stanford, Temple
Robert C. Zuppke, Illinois
1949 Richard C. Harlow, Penn State, Colgate, Western Maryland, Harvard
1950 No award given
1951 DeOrmond “Tuss” McLaughry, Westminster, Amherst, Brown, Dartmouth
1952 A.N. “Bo” McMillin, Indiana
1953 Lou Little, Georgetown, Columbia
1954 Dana X. Bible, Mississippi College, LSU, Texas A&M, Nebraska, Texas
1955 Joseph J. Tomlin, founder, Pop Warner Football
1956 No award given
1957 Gen. Robert R. Neyland, Tennessee
1958 Bernie Bierman, Mississippi A&M, Tulane, Minnesota
1959 Dr. John W. Wilce, Ohio State
1960 Harvey J. Harman, Haverford, University of the South, Pennsylvania, Rutgers
1961 Ray Eliot, Illinois
1962 E.E. “Tad” Wieman, Michigan, Princeton, Maine
1963 Andrew Kerr, Stanford, Washington & Jefferson, Colgate, Lebanon Valley
1964 Don Faurot, Missouri
1965 Harry Stuhldreher, Wisconsin
1966 Bernie H. Moore, LSU
1967 Jess Neely, Southwestern, Clemson, Rice
1968 Abe Martin, TCU
1969 Charles A. “Rip” Engle, Brown, Penn State
1970 Lynn “Pappy” Waldorf, Syracuse, Oklahoma City, Kansas, Oklahoma A&M, Kansas State, Northwestern, California
1971 Bill Murray, Delaware, Duke
1972 Jack Curtice, Stanford
1973 Lloyd Jordan, Amherst, Harvard
1974 Alonzo S. “Jake” Gaither, Florida A&M
1975 Gerald B. Zornow, business executive
1976 No award given
1977 Floyd “Ben” Schwartzwalder, Muhlenberg, Syracuse
1978 Tom Hamilton, Navy, Pittsburgh
1979 H.O. “Fritz” Crisler, Minnesota, Princeton, Michigan
1980 No award given
1981 Fred Russell, sportswriter
1982 Eddie Robinson, Grambling
1983 Paul W. “Bear” Bryant, Maryland, Kentucky, Texas A&M, Alabama
1984 Charles B. “Bud” Wilkinson, Oklahoma
1985 Duffy Daugherty, Michigan State
1986 Woody Hayes, Denison, Miami (Ohio), Ohio State
1987 Field Scovell, Cotton Bowl
1988 G. Herbert McCracken, Allegheny, Lafayette
1989 David Nelson, Delaware
1990 Len Casanova, Oregon
1991 Bob Blackman, Denver, Dartmouth, Illinois, Cornell
1992 Charles McClendon, LSU
1993 Keith Jackson, ABC-TV
1994 Bob Devaney, Nebraska, Wyoming
1995 John Merritt, Jackson State, Tennessee State
1996 Chuck Neinas, College Football Association
1997 Ara Parseghian, Miami (Ohio), Northwestern, Notre Dame
1998 Bob Reade, Augustana (Ill.)
1999 Bo Schembechler, Miami (Ohio), Michigan
2000 Tom Osborne, Nebraska
2001 Vince Dooley, Georgia
2002 Joe Paterno, Penn State
2003 LaVell Edwards, Brigham Young
2004 Ron Schipper, Central (Iowa)
2005 Hayden Fry, North Texas, SMU, Iowa
2006 Grant Teaff, McMurry, Angelo State, Baylor
2007 Bill Curry, Georgia Tech, Alabama, Kentucky
2008 Bill Walsh, San Francisco 49ers, Stanford
2009 John Gagliardi, Carroll (Mont.), St. John’s (Minn.)
2010 Darrell Royal, Mississippi State, Washington, Texas
2011 Bobby Bowden, Samford, West Virginia, Florida State
2012 Fisher DeBerry, Air Force
2013 Frosty Westering, Parsons, Lea College, Pacific Lutheran
2014 R.C. Slocum, Texas A&M
2015 Ken Hatfield, Air Force, Arkansas, Clemson, Rice
2016 John Cooper, Tulsa, Arizona State, Ohio State
2017 Don Nehlen, Bowling Green, West Virginia
2018 Frank Broyles, Missouri, Arkansas
2019 Marv Levy, Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills
2022 Mel Tjeerdsma, Northwest Missouri State
2023 Roy Kidd, Eastern Kentucky
2024 Larry Kehres, Mount Union
ACCFCA Coach of the Year
Before 2000, the two junior college associations, the California Community College Football Coaches Association and the National Junior College Football Coaches Association, each had its own Coach of the Year. In 2000, the AFCA invited the organizations to meet at the AFCA Convention. Three national goals were set: to form a national community college football coaches¹ association, to study the possibility of a national championship game between the two organizations and to select a yearly National Coach of the Year who would be recognized by the AFCA. Their initial goal, to create an umbrella coaches association, has been accomplished. In 2002, the American Community College Football Coaches Association selected its first national coach of the year, Michael White of Reedley College.
Past Award Winners
2003 Troy Morrell, Butler Community College
2004 Tim Hatten, Pearl River Community
College
2005 Don Dillon, American River College
2006 John Featherstone, El Camino College
2007 Jeff Chudy, Bakersfield College
2008 Jeff Jordan, Butte College
2009 Brad Franchione, Blinn College
2010 Bob Jastrab, Mt. San Antonio College
2011 Buddy Stephens, East Mississippi Community
College
2012 Scott Strohmeier, Iowa Western Community College
2013 Bert Williams, Georgia Military College
2014 Buddy Stephens, East Mississippi Community
College
2015 Mark McElroy, Saddleback College
2016 Jeff Sims, Garden City Community College
2017 Scott Strohmeier, Iowa Western Community College
2018 Steve Mooshagian, Ventura College
2019 Tom Craft, Riverside City College
2021 Kurt Taufa’asau, New Mexico Military Institute
2022 Drew Dallas, Hutchinson Community College
2023 Tom Craft, Riverside City College
Coaches All-America Teams
Since 1945, the American Football Coaches Association has selected an All-America team. What makes this team special is that it is the only one selected exclusively by the men who know the most about the players, the coaches themselves.
The AFCA currently selects an All-America team in five divisions: Football Bowl Subdivision, Football Championship Subdivision, Division II, Division III and NAIA. Starting in 2016, there are now two 25-player teams is chosen in each division.
Four of the five AFCA divisions have an All-America Selection Committee consisting of a committee chairman, a district representative head coach from each of the AFCA districts in each division and two committeemen in each district who are also head coaches. The FBS Coaches’ All-America Team is currently selected by an on-line vote and does not have a selection committee.
The selection committees in each division conduct a conference call to select the team. The committee chairman and the district representatives are on the call. The district committeemen are not. Prior to the call, the district chairmen and his committeemen are responsible for gathering information on worthy players in their districts.
2023 All-America Teams
FBS Coaches’ All-America Teams
DII Coaches’ All-America Teams
