CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - In his 19th season at the helm of the Wartburg College football program, head coach
Rick Willis has been named American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Region 5 Coach of the Year.
Willis led the Knights to a school record-tying 12 win season and a trip to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division III football playoffs. The Knights stormed their way through the Iowa Conference claiming the league title for the 15th time in program history and ninth under the direction of Willis.
In 13 games this season the Knights averaged 38.3 points per game and 450.8 yards of total offense while holding opponents to an average of 18 points per game and 345.5 yards. In conference play, the Knights featured a defensive unit that held league-bests in scoring defense (14.9pts/g), total defense (230.5yds/g), rushing defense (101.1yds/g) and red zone defense (50.0pct). On the offensive side of the ball the Knights were just as dangerous, racking up a conference-high, 40.1pts/g. Wartburg also took care of the ball offensively and created turnovers on defense as they led the league with a +7 turnover margin.
This is the second time in Willis' career he has earned the AFCA Regional Coach of the Year award, as he was previously honored in 1999.
The AFCA recognizes five regional Coach of the Year winners in each of the Association’s five divisions: Football Bowl Subdivision, Football Championship Subdivision, Division II, Division III and NAIA. The winners are selected by Active members of the Association who vote for coaches in their respective regions and divisions.
