WACO, Texas – Shepherd University head coach Monte Cater has been named American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division  II  Region One Coach of the Year.

Cater, who just reached the 250-win mark for his career, has guided the Rams to a 12-0 mark, the Mountain East Conference and Super Region One titles, and an appearance in Saturday's national semifinal game against Grand Valley State. In his 29 seasons at Shepherd, Cater has led the Rams to 15 conference titles, 11 posteason appearances, and a pair of regional titles.

The AFCA recognizes five regional Coach of the Year winners in each of the Association's five divisions: Football Bowl Subdivision, Football Championship Subdivision, Division II, Division III, and NAIA. The winners are selected by Active members of the Association who vote for coaches in their respective regions and divisions.

The 2015 Regional Coach of the Year winners will be recognized at the AFCA Coach of the Year Dinner at the 2016 AFCA Convention in San Antonio, Texas. The dinner is scheduled for Tuesday, January 12.

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, and the number of divisions was 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.

AFCA National Coach of the Year: The AFCA will announce its five 2015 National Coach of the Year winners at the 2016 AFCA Convention in San Antonio, Texas. All head coaches who were eligible for regional honors are eligible for national honors as well.

2015 AFCA Regional Coach of the Year Winners

Football Bowl Subdivision
Region 1: Dabo Swinney, Clemson University
Region 2: Jim McElwain, University of Florida*
Region 3: Kirk Ferentz, University of Iowa
Region 4: Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State University
Region 5: David Shaw, Stanford University

Football Championship Subdivision
Region 1: Buddy Teevens, Dartmouth College
Region 2: Mike Houston, The Citadel
Region 3: John Grass, Jacksonville State University*
Region 4: Rick Chamberlin, University of Dayton
Region 5: Ed Lamb, Southern Utah University

Division II
Region 1: Monte Cater, Shepherd University
Region 2: Will Hall, University of West Georgia
Region 3: Lee Owens, Ashland University
Region 4: Dan Cocannouer, Southwestern Oklahoma State University
Region 5: Rob Smith, Humboldt State University

Division III
Region 1: E.J. Mills, Amherst College
Region 2: Jeff Pukszyn, Moravian College
Region 3: Buck Buchanan, Hendrix College
Region 4: Mike Swider, Wheaton College*
Region 5: Pat Cerroni, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh

NAIA
Region 1: Drew Cronic, Reinhardt University
Region 2: Kevin Donley, University of Saint Francis (Ind.)
Region 3: Mike Grossner, Baker University
Region 4: Steve Ryan, Morningside College*
Region 5: Donnie Yantis, Arizona Christian University
*-2014 winner