Division II Coach of the Year Panel
02/09/23 • 39 min
This week on Inside the Headset, we are featuring our Division II Coach of the Year discussion. The coaches recap this past season, reflect on key mentors in their life, and discuss the connections they have made through the AFCA.
The regional coach of the year winners for Division II are:
Region 1: Ernie McCook, Shepherd University
Ernie McCook recently completed his fifth season at the helm for the Rams after being named the head coach at Shepherd on January 24, 2018 after serving as an assistant at Shepherd for 18 years. McCook led Shepherd to a 13-2 record in the 2022 season. McCook led Shepherd to a 10-3 mark and an NCAA II playoff appearance in its first season of competition in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) in 2019. Prior to becoming head coach he served as offensive coordinator for nine years and was offensive line coach for 10 years for Shepherd from 1999-2008. McCook was elevated to assistant head coach in 2007. He spent the 2009 season as the run game coordinator/tight ends coach at Liberty University before returning to Shepherd the next season. McCook served as assistant head coach/offensive coordinator at Shepherd from 2010-17.
Region 2: Chennis Berry, Benedict College
Chennis Berry was named head football coach at Benedict College on February 11, 2020 and wrapped up an 11-1 season with a SIAC championship. Berry came to Benedict after serving as the Assistant Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator at Southern University. During his seven seasons with Southern, the Jaguars had a winning record every season, while the offense under his direction set numerous school and SWAC conference records. As part of the NFL’s Minority Internship Program, Berry has interned with six different NFL teams, including the Jacksonville Jaguars, Indianapolis Colts, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, San Diego Chargers and Chicago Bears.
Region 3: Matt Mitchell, Grand Valley State University
Matt Mitchell was recently hired at Wisconsin on Jan. 23, 2023 as the coach of the outside linebackers and special teams units. Mitchell joined the UW staff after 13 years as the head coach at Grand Valley State. Coach Mitchell helped establish a winning culture during his time at Grand Valley State, with an impressive record of 117-31 (.790) over 12 seasons of action. He guided the Lakers to seven NCAA DII Playoff appearances, two NCAA DII National Semifinal appearances, three GLIAC Championships, three GLIAC North Division titles, and two undefeated regular seasons.
Region 4: Todd Knight, Ouachita Baptist University
Todd Knight has recently completed his 23rd season at Ouachita Baptist University and was named the 2023 AFCA president. Coach Knight is the longest-standing college head football coach in Arkansas. He has led the Tigers to 16 winning seasons, and is currently at the helm of 14 consecutive winning seasons, the longest current streak of any team in the state of Arkansas at any level. He has led the Tigers to six Great American Conference championships, five NCAA Division II playoff appearances, and four undefeated regular seasons.
Region 5: Brandon Moore, Colorado School of Mines
Brandon Moore was named the head coach of Mines Football on Jan. 31, 2022 after spending six years on staff building the Oredigger defense into one of the nation’s top units. Moore’s first year as head coach was historic as the Orediggers made their first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division II Championship Game. Mines won 13 consecutive games between September and December to get there, winning the program’s second consecutive NCAA Super Region IV title and fourth consecutive RMAC championship along the way. Going 13-3, the Orediggers set a program record for wins and they completed just the third undefeated RMAC season (9-0) in the modern era. Coach Moore was named the NFFCC Colorado and RMAC Coach of the Year due to his success.
Show Notes:
1:45 Recap of their seasons
16:10 Impact of coaching community
20:30 Influential individuals in your life
31:00 Getting involved in the AFCA
37:00 Conclusion
This week on Inside the Headset, we are featuring our Division II Coach of the Year discussion. The coaches recap this past season, reflect on key mentors in their life, and discuss the connections they have made through the AFCA.
The regional coach of the year winners for Division II are:
Region 1: Ernie McCook, Shepherd University
Ernie McCook recently completed his fifth season at the helm for the Rams after being named the head coach at Shepherd on January 24, 2018 after serving as an assistant at Shepherd for 18 years. McCook led Shepherd to a 13-2 record in the 2022 season. McCook led Shepherd to a 10-3 mark and an NCAA II playoff appearance in its first season of competition in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) in 2019. Prior to becoming head coach he served as offensive coordinator for nine years and was offensive line coach for 10 years for Shepherd from 1999-2008. McCook was elevated to assistant head coach in 2007. He spent the 2009 season as the run game coordinator/tight ends coach at Liberty University before returning to Shepherd the next season. McCook served as assistant head coach/offensive coordinator at Shepherd from 2010-17.
Region 2: Chennis Berry, Benedict College
Chennis Berry was named head football coach at Benedict College on February 11, 2020 and wrapped up an 11-1 season with a SIAC championship. Berry came to Benedict after serving as the Assistant Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator at Southern University. During his seven seasons with Southern, the Jaguars had a winning record every season, while the offense under his direction set numerous school and SWAC conference records. As part of the NFL’s Minority Internship Program, Berry has interned with six different NFL teams, including the Jacksonville Jaguars, Indianapolis Colts, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, San Diego Chargers and Chicago Bears.
Region 3: Matt Mitchell, Grand Valley State University
Matt Mitchell was recently hired at Wisconsin on Jan. 23, 2023 as the coach of the outside linebackers and special teams units. Mitchell joined the UW staff after 13 years as the head coach at Grand Valley State. Coach Mitchell helped establish a winning culture during his time at Grand Valley State, with an impressive record of 117-31 (.790) over 12 seasons of action. He guided the Lakers to seven NCAA DII Playoff appearances, two NCAA DII National Semifinal appearances, three GLIAC Championships, three GLIAC North Division titles, and two undefeated regular seasons.
Region 4: Todd Knight, Ouachita Baptist University
Todd Knight has recently completed his 23rd season at Ouachita Baptist University and was named the 2023 AFCA president. Coach Knight is the longest-standing college head football coach in Arkansas. He has led the Tigers to 16 winning seasons, and is currently at the helm of 14 consecutive winning seasons, the longest current streak of any team in the state of Arkansas at any level. He has led the Tigers to six Great American Conference championships, five NCAA Division II playoff appearances, and four undefeated regular seasons.
Region 5: Brandon Moore, Colorado School of Mines
Brandon Moore was named the head coach of Mines Football on Jan. 31, 2022 after spending six years on staff building the Oredigger defense into one of the nation’s top units. Moore’s first year as head coach was historic as the Orediggers made their first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division II Championship Game. Mines won 13 consecutive games between September and December to get there, winning the program’s second consecutive NCAA Super Region IV title and fourth consecutive RMAC championship along the way. Going 13-3, the Orediggers set a program record for wins and they completed just the third undefeated RMAC season (9-0) in the modern era. Coach Moore was named the NFFCC Colorado and RMAC Coach of the Year due to his success.
Show Notes:
1:45 Recap of their seasons
16:10 Impact of coaching community
20:30 Influential individuals in your life
31:00 Getting involved in the AFCA
37:00 Conclusion
Previous Episode
Division III Coach of the Year Panel
This week on Inside the Headset, we are featuring our Division III Coach of the Year discussion. The coaches discuss some highlights of their program this past season and some key mentors in their life that have helped push them to their success.
The regional coach of the year winners for Division III are:
Region 1: Mike Toerper, Ithaca College
Michael Toerper (Ter-per) was named as the 11th head coach of the Ithaca College football program on February 18, 2022. In his first season as head coach in 2022, Toerper guided the Bombers to 12-1 and reached the NCAA Division III Quarterfinals. IC secured its first undefeated regular season since 1986 and claimed its first outright Liberty League title. Toerper was also named as the Liberty League Coaching Staff of the Year. Toerper served as the defensive coordinator for the Bombers from 2017-19. He then departed to become the safeties coach at Division I Holy Cross for the past two seasons and contributed to turning that Crusaders defense into one of the top units in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) in 2021.
Region 2: Ryan Larsen, Carnegie Mellon University
Ryan Larsen, a 13-year coaching veteran, comes to Carnegie Mellon from Columbia University, where he served as quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator. Larsen, who has achieved offensive success at every one of his coaching experiences, has also worked at Stevenson University, Rhodes College, Wabash College and Indiana University. He led Carnegie Mellon to an 11-1 record and 8-0 record in conference in the 2022 season.
Region 3: Larry Harmon, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
Larry Harmon was promoted to Head Football Coach in January 2022 after spending the previous 20 seasons as the Cru’s defensive coordinator. Harmon guided the Cru to a 12-2 record in his first season at the helm as the Crusaders finished in the NCAA Division III Semifinals for the fifth time in program history. In addition to his defensive coordinator duties, Coach Harmon also worked with UMHB’s kick return and kick coverage teams. He opened his career at UMHB in 1999, spending three years as UMHB’s secondary coach.
Region 4: Jason Couch, Alma College
Jason Couch was a decorated player at Alma and was named the head football coach at Alma College in January 2018. Couch is the 30th head coach in the history of the program, which dates back to 1894. Couch led Alma to an 11-1 record, undefeated in conference play and a playoff berth. Coach Couch helped lead Alma to the second round, which would be a first in program history.
Region 5: Steve Johnson, Bethel University (Minn.)
Steve Johnson completed his 34th year as the head football coach at Bethel University in 2022. Under Johnson’s leadership, Bethel’s football program has risen to national prominence and has become a perennial contender for the MIAC championship. He has amassed 244 career wins and a .693 winning percentage and is the all-time wins leader among active NCAA Division III coaches. He also ranks 35th all-time in win among all divisions and is a six-time MIAC Coach of the Year. He has completed 28 consecutive non-losing seasons and accumulated a 100-36 (.735) overall record since 2010, including 73-23 (.760) in MIAC play.
Next Episode
John Stiegelmeier, SDSU & Bob Chesney, Holy Cross
This week on Inside the Headset, we are featuring our Division 1 - FCS Coach of the Year regional winners in a panel discussion. The coaches reflect on their year, discuss key mentors in their life, and review some takeaways from the AFCA convention.
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