Once again, Kutztown’s Jim Clements named Region 1 Coach of the Year

By Mike Drago Last updated Nov 25, 2025

Golden Bears head coach Jim Clements. (Kutztown University photo)

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A perfect season and high national ranking have led to a third straight American Football Coaches Association Regional Coach of the Year award for Kutztown University’s Jim Clements.

Clements is one of 19 coaches in college football history to earn district or regional honors three years in a row.
Clements was named Division II Region 1 Coach of the Year for the fifth time with the Golden Bears; he was also selected in 2019 and 2021. It was his sixth overall selection, including 2010 at Delaware Valley.

Kutztown finished the regular season unbeaten for the second year in a row and is riding a Division II-best 31-game regular season winning streak, dating back to 2023.

The Golden Bears have matched a program single-season record with 12 victories and tied their highest ranking in the AFCA Division II Poll at No. 3.

Kutztown opened the NCAA playoffs Saturday with a 52-0 win over Bentley. They return to Andre Reed Stadium Saturday to face Assumption at noon in a second-round game.

Clements captured his 100th victory with the Golden Bears in a 35-27 win at Bloomsburg Nov. 8.

Now in his 11th season at Kutztown, Clements owns a 102-29 record. He is the program’s all-time leader in wins and winning percentage (.779). Overall, Clements is 168-53 (.760) in 19 seasons as a head coach.

The Golden Bears have enjoyed winning seasons in each of his 11 seasons, including five 10-plus win seasons. He’s a five-time PSAC East Coach of the Year.

The AFCA selects 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 chosen by active members of the AFCA who cast votes for coaches in their respective regions and divisions.

Joining Clements as Division II Regional Coaches of the Year are: West Florida’s Kaleb Nobles (Region 2), Northwest Missouri State’s John McMenamin (Region 3), Central Washington’s Chris Fisk (Region 4), and Chadron State’s Jay Long (Region 5).

The regional award winners are finalists for AFCA National Coach of the Year, which will be announced Jan. 12.