COLUMBIA, Ky. — Lindsey Wilson head football coach Chris Oliver has been named the 2016 American Football Coaches Association NAIA Region 1 co-Coach of the Year.
It marks the fourth time in Oliver’s career he has earned the regional honor. He is one of 15 coaches across all levels of collegiate football to be a repeat recipient of the honor in 2016.
He shares the NAIA Region 1 award with Reinhardt (Ga.) head coach Drew Cronic.
Oliver, a Blanchester High School graduate, led the Blue Raiders to an 11-2 record in 2016, setting a new program record for most wins in a single season. It marks just the second time in program history Lindsey Wilson has achieved double-digit wins. In his seven seasons at the helm of the program, Oliver has compiled a 52-28 overall record, including a 37-11 mark across the past four seasons.
Lindsey Wilson made the program’s third-consecutive postseason appearance in 2016, advancing to the NAIA Football Championship Series Quarterfinals for the second time. The Blue Raiders defeated Grand View (Iowa) 34-27 in overtime in the First Round, before falling on the road to Baker (Kan.) 42-27 in the round of eight.
The American Football Coaches Awards, featuring the AFCA National Coach of the Year, will be on CBSSports Network on 9 p.m. Jan. 10. This marks the first time the AFCA will televise its annual awards. The live one-hour program will air from the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tenn., and coincide with the AFCA’s annual convention.
The Div. II, Div. III and NAIA National Coaches of the Year will be announced at the AFCA Victory Luncheon, also on Jan. 10. The regional winners in each division will be the finalists for National Coach of the Year.
