ARKADELPHIA, Ark.—Ouachita Baptist University's Todd Knight has been named 2019 Regional Coach of the Year for Division II Region 4 for the second year in a row and third time overall by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA). Knight, who has coached 21 seasons as head coach of the Ouachita Tigers, will be honored at the American Football Coaches Awards on Tuesday, Jan. 14, during the 2020 AFCA Convention in Nashville, Tenn.
"It is quite the honor and accomplishment for Coach Knight to receive this award in consecutive years," said David Sharp, Ouachita director of athletics. "The development of young men both on and off the field reflects the leadership, dedication and character in Coach Knight and the staff and team that he leads."
Each year, 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 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. The winners are selected by active members of the Association who vote for coaches in their respective regions and divisions.
"Words really fall short when I comment about being one of the AFCA Regional Coaches of the Year," Knight said. "When selected by coaches that I have so much respect for and have learned from, it is very meaningful! This award recognizes head coaches but, in my case, it recognizes an outstanding coaching staff and team."
The AFCA regional winners are also finalists for the National Coach of the Year awards, which will be announced on Jan. 14 at the AFCA Convention.
During the 2019 season, Coach Knight led the Ouachita Tiger football team to its third undefeated regular season with a 27 game conference winning streak along with 3 back to back Great American Conference championships and the fourth NCAA playoff appearance. The Tiger football program has also had 12 consecutive winning seasons with Knight as head coach.
The Ouachita Tigers football team has since been awarded 18 All-Great American Conference (GAC) selections for 2019. Ouachita senior Allie Freeman was selected as a 2019 First Team All-GAC receiver, as well as a first team pick as a return specialist. Also named to the All-GAC First Team were senior running back Brockton Brown, senior center Jacob Roberts, senior lineman Cori Gooseberry, sophomore lineman Anthony Chairez, junior defensive end Dameyun McDonald and senior cornerback Keandre Evans.
Knight also was named GAC Coach of the Year for the third consecutive year and fifth time overall in the nine-year history of the league (2011, 2014, 2017, 2018, and 2019). Coach Knight owns GAC records for total wins (76) and conference wins (72). Knight is the longest-standing football coach in Arkansas, having coached the Ouachita Tigers since 1999.
