WACO, Texas — Sacramento State head coach Troy Taylor was selected as the AFCA Region 5 FCS Coach of the Year, it was announced today.

Taylor has guided Sacramento State to a 12-0 overall record during the 2022 season. The Hornets, who are seeded second in the NCAA FCS Playoffs, will continue their season on Friday night against No. 7 Incarnate Word in the quarterfinals at Hornet Stadium. Taylor was also named the Big Sky Conference Co-Coach of the Year in 2022 after leading Sacramento State to its second consecutive undefeated league season.

This year, Sacramento State has already set school records for victories in a season, breaking the previous mark of 10 set in 1988. Taylor became the fastest coach in school history to win his 20th and 30th career game during the year. He currently owns a 30-7 overall record in his three seasons with the Hornets.

2022 AFCA Regional Coach of the Year Winners
Football Bowl Subdivision
Region 1: Willie Fritz, Tulane
Region 2: Josh Heupel, Tennessee
Region 3: Jim Harbaugh, Michigan
Region 4: Sonny Dykes, TCU
Region 5: Jonathan Smith, Oregon State
 
Football Championship Subdivision
Region 1: Bob Chesney, Holy Cross
Region 2: Chris Hatcher, Samford
Region 3: Willie Simmons, Florida A&M
Region 4: John Stiegelmeier, South Dakota State
Region 5: Troy Taylor, Sacramento State
 
Division II
Region 1: Ernie McCook, Shepherd University
Region 2: Chennis Berry, Benedict College
Region 3: Matt Mitchell, Grand Valley State University
Region 4: Todd Knight, Ouachita Baptist University
Region 5: Brandon Moore, Colorado School of Mines
 
Division III
Region 1: Mike Toerper, Ithaca College
Region 2: Ryan Larsen, Carnegie Mellon
Region 3: Larry Harmon, Mary Hardin-Baylor
Region 4: Jason Couch, Alma College
Region 5: Steve Johnson, Bethel (Minn.)
 
NAIA
Region 1: Mike Jasper, Bethel (Tenn.)
Region 2: Jordan Langs, Indiana Wesleyan
Region 3: Joe Woodley, Grand View
Region 4: Matt McCarty, Northwestern College
Region 5: Troy Purcell, Carroll College (Mont.)
 
AFCA National Coach of the Year: The AFCA will announce the 2022 National Coaches of the Year winners in FBS, FCS, Division II, Division III and NAIA on Monday, January 9. The Regional winners in each division are finalists for National Coach of the Year.

Award History: The AFCA began recognizing district coaches of the year following the 1960 season. The awards were established the same year Eastman Kodak agreed to sponsor the AFCA Coach of the Year award. Prior to 1960, the Scripps-Howard newspaper chain had sponsored the program, which recognized one national Coach of the Year.

The AFCA first recognized eight district winners in each of two divisions: university and college. In 1972, a ninth district was added in each division. In 1983, the award was changed to recognize regional winners instead of district winners. The number of divisions was also increased from two to four and five regional winners were selected in each division. This resulted in a more equitable selection process and better represented the make-up of the membership. At the same time, the new system increased the number of honorees from 18 to 20. In 2006, the AFCA Division II Award was split into separate Division II and NAIA divisions, giving us the 25 winners we now recognize.