Jim Clements tabbed Kutztown University men’s Coach of the Year
Jim Clements, who led Kutztown University to the best season in program football history in the fall of 2023, has been selected as the school’s Dr. Dennis Roth Men’s Coach of the Year for the fourth time. Clements, in his ninth season, led the Golden Bears to a 12-3 record, setting a program record for victories in a season.
The Golden Bears went on a program-record 12-game winning streak to claim their sixth Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Eastern Division title, third PSAC championship and first Super Region 1 crown. They advanced to the national semifinal round for the first time in program history.
Kutztown finished seventh in the final American Football Coaches Association Division II National poll, a high for the program.
Kutztown’s roster included several Berks grads, among them offensive lineman Adam Kase of Conrad Weiser, linebackers Kam Wolfe and Brandon Strausser of Gov. Mifflin, and kicker Nate Millard of Daniel Boone.
Clements, the winningest coach in program history, earned the AFCA Division II Region I Coach of the Year honor for the third time and the PSAC East Coach of the Year award for the fourth time.
Clements coached 12 all-league players, including Eastern Division Defensive Athlete of the Year Tyler Whary (Hereford, Pa./Upper Perkiomen) and East Freshman of the Year Judd Novak (Manheim, Pa./Manheim Central).
KU recorded wins against five nationally-ranked opponents, including four in a row in the postseason before falling to No. 1 Colorado School of Mines in the national semifinals.
Presented annually since 1993, the Roth Men’s Coach of the Year award recognizes the coach of a men’s varsity sport for leading their team to success in a given academic year. KU’s annual athletic awards are selected through a vote of the department’s administration, head coaches and support staff.
