Wayne State's Winters Named AFCA D-II Coach of the Year

Wayne State's Winters Named AFCA D-II Coach of the Year

Release courtesy of the Wayne State University Sports Information Department

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS — Wayne State University head football coach Paul Winters was voted the American Football Coaches Association Division II Coach of the Year, the organization announced Tuesday afternoon at the AFCA Convention in San Antonio.

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Winters, who guided the Warriors to a 12-4 record and a national runner-up finish in 2011, was rewarded with what is regarded as the oldest and most prestigious Coach of the Year award in college football, as it is the only award chosen exclusively by the coaches themselves.

“This is the ultimate accomplishment for me, and getting the vote from my peers makes it so much more important,” said Winters.  “The credit needs to be completely shared by our players and coaches, because this entire season was a team effort.”

One year removed from a nine-win campaign in 2010, Wayne State went 8-3 during the 2011 regular season and, in its first NCAA playoff appearance in school history, won four consecutive road games to earn a spot in the NCAA Division II National Championship game last month.

“This is the culmination of a remarkable season and this award the acknowledgment of the work and leadership of Paul Winters," said WSU Director of Athletics Rob Fournier.  "Obviously a lot of people are behind achieving this recognition but someone must provide the direction and oversight. Paul is that person and when you consider the time and effort he has singularly put into turning this program around, this is a nice public announcement of that work.”

This is the second AFCA award of Winters' career, as he was the Region Coach of the Year in 2010.  Last week Winters was named co-Coach of the Year in Super Region 3 by the Don Hansen Football Committee.