WACO, Texas – Jim Clements, the all-time winningest coach in Kutztown University football history, added another American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Regional Coach of the Year award to his storied list of accomplishments, the organization announced Wednesday.
 
Clements was named Division II Region 1 Coach of the Year for the third time at KU (2019, 2021, 2023) and picked up his fourth honor all-time going back to his 2010 Division II regional recognition at Delaware Valley University.
 
Kutztown is on an historic run in 2023, having won a program record 12 consecutive games after an 0-2 start. The Golden Bears completed their third unbeaten conference slate in the last four seasons, won their second Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) championship in the last three and have advanced to the NCAA Division II national semifinals for the first time ever.
 
Clements surpassed George Baldwin as Kutztown's wins leader with his 62nd on Oct. 1, 2022, and quickly added 17 more in his next 20 games. Now in his ninth season at the helm of the Bears (10th year), Clements holds a 79-27 record (.745) and is 145-51 (.740) in 17 seasons overall between Kutztown and Delaware Valley.
 
The Golden Bears have flourished since Clements arrived on campus in 2014, posting winning records in each of his seasons leading the program. Along with besting the program's previous record of 10 consecutive victories, Kutztown has also set a new single season record for victories with its 12.
 
Clements was honored as PSAC East Coach of the Year for the fourth time (2016, 2019, 2021, 2023) back in November. Three of this year's Division II Regional Coaches of the Year have led their teams to the NCAA semifinals, with Harding's Paul Simmons (Region 4) and Colorado School of Mines' Pete Sterbick (Region 5) joining Clements. The AFCA regions don't mirror the NCAA Super Region setup, where Super Region 1 champion Kutztown will face off against Super Region 4 champ Mines in one of Saturday's semifinals.
 
As a program, this is the fifth time Kutztown has claimed an AFCA Regional Coach of the Year. In addition to Clements' three awards, Raymond Monica was recognized in 2010 and 2011.
 
The AFCA announces five Regional Coach of the Year award winners in each of the five divisions of collegiate football: Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), Division II, Division III and NAIA. Winners are selected by active members of the AFCA who cast their votes for coaches in their respective regions and divisions.

With his regional honor, Clements becomes a finalist for National Coach of the Year.

2023 AFCA Division II Regional Coaches of the Year
Region 1: Jim Clements, Kutztown University
Region 2: Chennis Berry, Benedict College
Region 3: Josh Lamberson, University of Central Missouri
Region 4: Paul Simmons, Harding University
Region 5: Pete Sterbick, Colorado School of Mines