Kutztown University’s football coach, Jim Clements, has been recognized with the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Region 1 Coach of the Year award for the third consecutive year. This accolade comes following Clements’ leadership in guiding the Golden Bears to their third straight Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) championship this season.
Clements has now received a total of six regional awards, with five honors stemming from his time at Kutztown and one from his previous tenure at Delaware Valley University. The AFCA awards acknowledge five regional winners in each of the association’s divisions, including Football Bowl Subdivision, Football Championship Subdivision, Division II, Division III, and NAIA. Winners are determined through votes cast by active members of the association within their respective regions and divisions.
Under Clements’ guidance, the Golden Bears have achieved remarkable success, including two consecutive undefeated regular seasons. Currently, they hold the top seed in Super One Region and recently opened the NCAA Division II playoffs with a commanding 52-0 victory over Bentley University.
Upcoming Playoff Match and Clements’ Legacy
Kutztown is set to host Assumption University this Saturday in the second round of the playoffs. Clements has solidified his place in Kutztown’s history as the winningest head coach, boasting an impressive record of 102-29. Overall, his coaching record stands at 168-53 across 19 seasons at both Kutztown and Delaware Valley.
Among other notable regional awardees this year is Curt Cignetti from Indiana, who received the honor for the second consecutive year in FBS Region 3. Additionally, Kevin Cahill of Lehigh University led the Mountain Hawks to an unbeaten season and the Patriot League title, earning them a first-round bye in the FCS tournament. They are scheduled to begin play on December 6, 2025.
The AFCA will announce the national winners for Coach of the Year in all divisions on December 15, 2025. The regional winners serve as finalists for this prestigious national recognition. Historically, Mount Union, North Dakota State, and Nebraska have produced the most regional coach winners, with 18, 15, and 15 awards, respectively.
Clements’ achievements not only highlight his coaching prowess but also the strong tradition of excellence in Kutztown University’s football program, as they continue to build on their success this season.
