Coach Todd Knight with OBU players after win over HSU. (Photo by Meghann Bledsoe)
WACO, Texas – For the fifth time in the last 10 seasons, Ouachita Baptist University Head Football Coach Todd Knight has been selected as the American Football Coaches Association Regional Coach of the Year.
Knight joins Jim Clements from Kutztown, Tremaine Johnson from Valdosta State, Adam Dorrell from Central Oklahoma, and Jerry Olszweski from Augustana as the NCAA Division II regional coaches of the year for 2024. Knight also earned the honor in 2014, 2018, 2019, and 2022. The AFCA uses its own structure for regional awards separate from the NCAA.
Under Knight’s leadership, the Tigers have extended the program’s streak of consecutive winning seasons out to 16 this year with a 10-1 record heading into the postseason. The streak is the longest in program history and the longest active streak among all college football programs in the state of Arkansas.
This year, Knight has led the Tigers to a share of the Great American Conference championship, which is the seventh GAC title for the program in the 13-year history of the league. The Tigers are also back in the NCAA Division II playoffs this year, which is the sixth NCAA playoffs appearance in school history.
Among the 10 wins for the Tigers this season includes a 17-13 win over defending national champion and then-ranked No. 1 Harding on October 19 at home and a 27-20 win over Henderson State this past Saturday across the street in the 97th Battle of the Ravine.
Last Saturday’s win over the Reddies moved Knight into a tie with the late Buddy Benson as Ouachita’s all-time winningest football coaches. Knight, who played for Benson in the 1980s, is now 162-102 in 25 seasons at his alma mater. His first win at Ouachita was also in the Battle of the Ravine, a 34-17 victory over HSU in the 1999 season opener.
“To receive this honor is humbling, especially from my fellow coaches,” said Knight. “This award isn’t about me, though. I’m fortunate and blessed to be in this position surrounded by a great group of coaches, student-athletes, and athletic administration that are the main factors in our continued success. I’m also thankful for our alumni, our fans, and our university faculty and staff for helping us along the way.”