2023 NCAA Division II football season

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2023 NCAA Division II football season
Total No. of teams163
Regular seasonAugust 31 – November 11, 2023
PlayoffsNovember 18 – December 16, 2023
National ChampionshipMcKinney Independent School District Stadium
McKinney, TX
December 16, 2023
ChampionHarding
Harlon Hill TrophyZach Zebrowski, QB, Central Missouri

The 2023 NCAA Division II football season, part of college football in the United States organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division II level, began on August 31 and ended on December 16 with the Division II championship at the McKinney Independent School District Stadium in McKinney, Texas. Harding won the title, defeating Colorado Mines, 38–7.

D-II team wins over FCS teams[edit]

September 2: Bowie State 22, Delaware State 11
September 2: Virginia State 33, Norfolk State 24
September 2: Central State (OH) 24, Mississippi Valley State 21
September 8: Barton 33, Davidson 31
September 9: Colorado Mesa 28, San Diego 21 OT
September 9: Miles 21, Alabama State 17
September 16: Delta State 35, Mississippi Valley State 7

Conference changes and new programs[edit]

School Former conference New conference
Alderson Broaddus Battlers Mountain East School closed
Bluefield State Big Blues Independent (D-II) CIAA
Chowan Hawks CIAA Gulf South
Lincoln (MO) Blue Tigers MIAA Independent (D-II)
Simon Fraser Red Leafs Lone Star Dropped program
Thomas More Saints Mid-South (NAIA) G-MAC
Upper Iowa Peacocks Northern Sun GLVC

Headlines[edit]

  • January 14 – At the 2023 NCAA Convention, the D-II football membership approved a change to redshirt rules to allow freshmen to play in up to three games without losing a season of athletic eligibility.[1]
  • January 26 – Conference Carolinas announced that Shorter University would join from the Gulf South Conference in 2024. This gave the conference 6 football sponsoring members, and accordingly, it was announced that they would begin sponsoring football again effective for the 2025 season, a sport they had previously discontinued in 1975. Inaugural members of the new league would be Barton and Erskine, who currently play in the South Atlantic Conference; UNC Pembroke, who plays in the Mountain East Conference; and Chowan, North Greenville, and Shorter, who all play in the Gulf South Conference.[2]
  • December 14 – The NCAA Division II Championships Committee approved a restructuring of the football super regions effective for the 2025 season once Conference Carolinas begins sponsoring football. The new super region alignment is as follows:[3]
    • Super Region 1: Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, Mountain East Conference, Northeast-10 Conference, Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference
    • Super Region 2: Conference Carolinas, Gulf South Conference, South Atlantic Conference, Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
    • Super Region 3: Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, Great Lakes Valley Conference, Great Midwest Athletic Conference, Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference
    • Super Region 4: Great American Conference, Lone Star Conference, Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association, Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference

Rankings[edit]

Main article: 2023 NCAA Division II football rankings

The top 25 from the AFCA Coaches' Poll.

Preseason Poll[edit]

AFCA[4]
Ranking Team
1 Ferris State (29)
2 Colorado Mines
3 Grand Valley State
4 Pittsburg State
5 Angelo State
6 NW Missouri State
7 West Florida
8 Ouachita Baptist
9 Minnesota State
10 Delta State
11 Bemidji State
12 Ashland
13 Shepherd
14 Harding
15 Slippery Rock
16 IUP
17 Benedict (1)
18 Virginia Union
19 Emporia State
20 Indianapolis
21 Wingate
22 West Georgia
23 Assumption
24 Newberry
25 Lenoir–Rhyne

Conference standings[edit]

Super Region 1[edit]

2023 Great Midwest Athletic Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 14 Tiffin $^   9 – 0     11 – 1  
Ashland #   8 – 1     9 – 3  
Findlay   6 – 3     7 – 4  
Hillsdale   6 – 3     6 – 5  
Northwood   5 – 4     5 – 6  
Thomas More   4 – 5     5 – 6  
Kentucky Wesleyan   3 – 6     4 – 7  
Ohio Dominican   3 – 6     4 – 7  
Walsh   1 – 8     3 – 8  
Lake Erie   0 – 9     1 – 10  
Rankings from AFCA Poll
2023 Mountain East Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 19 Charleston (WV) $^   8 – 1     10 – 2  
Fairmont State   6 – 3     8 – 3  
Frostburg State   6 – 3     7 – 3  
Notre Dame (OH)   6 – 3     7 – 3  
UNC Pembroke   6 – 3     7 – 3  
Glenville State   5 – 4     6 – 4  
Wheeling   4 – 5     5 – 5  
West Liberty   4 – 5     4 – 6  
West Virginia State   4 – 5     4 – 6  
Concord   1 – 9     1 – 10  
West Virginia Wesleyan   0 – 9     0 – 10  
  • $ – Conference champion
  • ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant
Rankings from AFCA Poll
2023 Northeast-10 Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
New Haven $^   6 – 1     8 – 3  
Bentley   5 – 2     6 – 4  
Saint Anselm   5 – 2     6 – 4  
Assumption   3 – 4     5 – 5  
Franklin Pierce   3 – 4     4 – 6  
Southern Connecticut   3 – 4     4 – 6  
Pace   2 – 5     3 – 7  
American International   1 – 6     3 – 8  
  • $ – Conference champion
  • ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant
Rankings from AFCA Poll
2023 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
East Division
No. 7 Kutztown xy$^   7 – 0     11 – 2  
East Stroudsburg ^   5 – 2     9 – 3  
Shepherd ^   5 – 2     9 – 3  
West Chester   3 – 4     6 – 5  
Lock Haven   3 – 4     5 – 6  
Shippensburg   2 – 5     3 – 8  
Bloomsburg   2 – 5     3 – 8  
Millersville   1 – 6     3 – 8  
West Division
No. 10 Slippery Rock xy^   7 – 0     12 – 2  
California (PA)   6 – 1     7 – 3  
Gannon   5 – 2     5 – 6  
Seton Hill   4 – 3     6 – 5  
IUP   3 – 4     6 – 5  
Edinboro   1 – 6     3 – 8  
Clarion   1 – 6     2 – 9  
Mercyhurst   1 – 6     2 – 9  
Championship: Kutztown 31, Slippery Rock 7
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant
  • ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant
Rankings from AFCA Poll
2023 NCAA Division II Super Region 1 independents football records
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
Post   –     1 – 9  
Rankings from AFCA Poll

Super Region 2[edit]

2023 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
Northern Division
No. 20 Virginia Union xy$^   7 – 1     10 – 2  
Virginia State   6 – 2     8 – 2  
Bowie State   5 – 3     6 – 4  
Lincoln (PA)   3 – 5     4 – 6  
Elizabeth City State   2 – 6     3 – 7  
Bluefield State   0 – 8     1 – 9  
Southern Division
Fayetteville State xy   8 – 0     8 – 3  
Johnson C. Smith #   6 – 2     7 – 4  
Livingstone   4 – 4     4 – 6  
Winston-Salem State   4 – 4     4 – 6  
Shaw   3 – 5     3 – 7  
St. Augustine's   0 – 8     0 – 10  
Championship: Virginia Union 21, Fayetteville State 10
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant
  • ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant
  • # – Florida Beach Bowl participant
Rankings from AFCA Poll
2023 Gulf South Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 8 Valdosta State +^   7 – 1     12 – 2  
No. 11 Delta State +^   7 – 1     10 – 2  
No. 23 West Florida ^   6 – 2     8 – 4  
West Georgia   5 – 3     6 – 4  
North Greenville   4 – 4     5 – 5  
West Alabama   4 – 4     5 – 5  
Mississippi College   2 – 6     3 – 7  
Shorter   1 – 7     3 – 8  
Chowan   0 – 8     0 – 10  
  • + – Conference co-champions
  • ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant
Rankings from AFCA Poll
2023 South Atlantic Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
Mountain Division
Mars Hill x   7 – 2     8 – 2  
Tusculum xy   6 – 3     6 – 5  
Carson–Newman   4 – 5     5 – 6  
Emory & Henry   3 – 6     5 – 6  
Virginia–Wise   1 – 8     2 – 9  
Erskine   0 – 9     0 – 11  
Piedmont Division
No. 4 Lenoir–Rhyne xy$^   8 – 1     13 – 2  
Limestone x^   8 – 1     8 – 4  
Wingate   7 – 2     8 – 3  
Barton   4 – 5     6 – 5  
Catawba   3 – 6     5 – 6  
Newberry   3 – 6     4 – 7  
Championship: Lenoir-Rhyne 48, Tusculum 7
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant
  • ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant
Rankings from AFCA Poll
2023 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 12 Benedict y$^   8 – 0     11 – 1  
Albany State y   6 – 2     6 – 5  
Fort Valley State #   6 – 2     8 – 3  
Miles   6 – 2     7 – 3  
Tuskegee   6 – 2     7 – 4  
Allen   5 – 3     7 – 3  
Edward Waters   5 – 3     6 – 4  
Central State   4 – 4     5 – 5  
Kentucky State   2 – 6     3 – 7  
Lane   2 – 6     2 – 8  
Morehouse   1 – 7     1 – 9  
Savannah State   1 – 7     2 – 8  
Clark Atlanta   0 – 8     0 – 10  
Championship: Benedict 47, Albany State 10
  • $ – Conference champion
  • y – Championship game participant
  • ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant
  • # – Florida Beach Bowl participant
Rankings from AFCA Poll

Super Region 3[edit]

2023 Great American Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 1 Harding $^   11 – 0     15 – 0  
No. 24 Henderson State ^   9 – 2     9 – 3  
Ouachita Baptist   9 – 2     9 – 2  
Southern Arkansas #   9 – 2     10 – 2  
Oklahoma Baptist   6 – 5     6 – 5  
Southern Nazarene #   6 – 5     6 – 6  
Arkansas Tech   5 – 6     5 – 6  
SE Oklahoma State   5 – 6     5 – 6  
East Central   3 – 8     3 – 8  
Arkansas–Monticello   2 – 9     2 – 9  
NW Oklahoma State   1 – 10     1 – 10  
SW Oklahoma State   0 – 11     0 – 11  
Rankings from AFCA Poll
2023 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 3 Grand Valley State $^   6 – 0     11 – 2  
No. 9 Ferris State ^   5 – 1     8 – 3  
Davenport   4 – 2     8 – 2  
Saginaw Valley State   3 – 3     6 – 5  
Wayne State (MI)   2 – 4     3 – 8  
Michigan Tech   1 – 5     5 – 5  
Northern Michigan   0 – 6     0 – 11  
  • $ – Conference champion
  • ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant
Rankings from AFCA Poll
2023 Great Lakes Valley Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 22 Indianapolis $^   6 – 1     9 – 2  
Truman State   5 – 2     9 – 2  
McKendree #   5 – 2     5 – 6  
Missouri S&T   4 – 3     4 – 7  
Quincy   3 – 4     6 – 5  
Southwest Baptist   3 – 4     4 – 7  
Upper Iowa   1 – 6     3 – 8  
William Jewell   1 – 6     2 – 8  
Rankings from AFCA Poll
2023 Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 6 Central Missouri +^   9 – 1     11 – 2  
No. 5 Pittsburg State +^   9 – 1     11 – 2  
Emporia State #   7 – 3     9 – 3  
Missouri Western #   7 – 3     8 – 4  
Fort Hays State   6 – 4     7 – 4  
NW Missouri State   6 – 4     7 – 4  
Central Oklahoma   4 – 6     5 – 6  
Missouri Southern   4 – 6     5 – 6  
Nebraska–Kearney   2 – 8     3 – 8  
Washburn   1 – 9     2 – 9  
Northeastern State   0 – 10     1 – 10  
Rankings from AFCA Poll
2023 NCAA Division II Super Region 3 independents football records
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
Lincoln (MO)   –     0 – 11  
Rankings from AFCA Poll

Super Region 4[edit]

2023 Lone Star Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 18 Texas–Permian Basin $^   8 – 0     10 – 2  
No. 17 Central Washington ^   7 – 1     9 – 4  
Angelo State   6 – 2     7 – 3  
Texas A&M–Kingsville   5 – 3     7 – 3  
Midwestern State   3 – 5     4 – 6  
Eastern New Mexico   2 – 6     5 – 6  
West Texas A&M   2 – 6     3 – 7  
Western Oregon   2 – 6     3 – 8  
Western New Mexico   1 – 7     2 – 8  
  • $ – Conference champion
  • ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant
Rankings from AFCA Poll
2023 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 13 Augustana (SD) $^   9 – 1     11 – 2  
No. 25 Minnesota Duluth   8 – 2     9 – 2  
No. 16 Bemidji State ^   8 – 2     9 – 3  
No. 21 Minnesota State ^   8 – 2     9 – 3  
Wayne State (NE)   7 – 3     8 – 3  
MSU Moorhead   6 – 4     7 – 4  
Winona State   5 – 5     5 – 6  
Northern State   4 – 6     5 – 6  
Sioux Falls   3 – 7     3 – 8  
Concordia–St. Paul   2 – 8     3 – 8  
SW Minnesota State   2 – 8     2 – 9  
Mary   2 – 8     2 – 9  
Minot State   1 – 9     1 – 10  
  • $ – Conference champion
  • ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant
Rankings from AFCA Poll
2023 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 2 Colorado Mines $^   9 – 0     14 – 1  
No. 15 Western Colorado ^   8 – 1     10 – 2  
CSU Pueblo   7 – 2     8 – 3  
Black Hills State   5 – 4     6 – 5  
Colorado Mesa   5 – 4     6 – 5  
Chadron State   4 – 5     5 – 6  
South Dakota Mines   4 – 5     5 – 6  
Adams State   2 – 7     3 – 8  
New Mexico Highlands   1 – 8     2 – 9  
Fort Lewis   0 – 9     0 – 11  
  • $ – Conference champion
  • ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant
Rankings from AFCA Poll

Postseason[edit]

See also: List of NCAA Division II Football Championship appearances by team

Qualifiers[edit]

Playoff teams
Super Region School Conference Record Appearance Last bid
Super Region 1 Tiffin G-MAC 11–0 2nd 2019
Charleston (WV) Mountain East 9–1 2nd 2015
Kutztown PSAC 9–2 6th 2021
Slippery Rock PSAC 10–1 11th 2022
East Stroudsburg PSAC 9–2 5th 2009
Virginia Union* CIAA 10–1 11th 2022
New Haven Northeast-10 8–2 9th 2022
Super Region 2 Benedict SIAC 11–0 2nd 2022
Delta State Gulf South 9–1 11th 2022
Valdosta State Gulf South 10–1 19th 2021
Lenoir–Rhyne SAC 10–1 7th 2021
Shepherd* PSAC 9–2 15th 2022
Limestone SAC 8–3 2nd 2022
West Florida Gulf South 8–3 5th 2022
Super Region 3 Harding GAC 11–0 6th 2021
Grand Valley State GLIAC 9–1 22nd 2022
Pittsburg State MIAA 10–1 20th 2022
Central Missouri MIAA 10–1 5th 2019
Henderson State GAC 9–2 4th 2015
Indianapolis GLVC 9–1 8th 2022
Ferris State GLIAC 8–2 14th 2022
Super Region 4 Colorado Mines RMAC 11–0 9th 2022
Western Colorado RMAC 10–1 5th 2021
Texas–Permian Basin Lone Star 10–1 1st —
Augustana (SD) NSIC 10–1 7th 2021
Minnesota State NSIC 9–2 14th 2022
Bemidji State NSIC 8–2 3rd 2022
Central Washington Lone Star 7–3 7th 2021

* — Indicates a team playing outside of its assigned super region.

Bracket[edit]

Super Region 1[edit]

First Round
November 18, 2023
Campus sites 		Second Round
November 25, 2023
Campus sites 		Quarterfinals
December 2, 2023
Campus sites
         
1 Tiffin* 35
4 Slippery Rock 45
East Stroudsburg 14
4 Slippery Rock* 45
4 Slippery Rock* 16
3 Kutztown 28
3 Kutztown* 38
Virginia Union 15
3 Kutztown 32
2 Charleston (WV)* 31
New Haven 44
2 Charleston (WV)* 52

Super Region 2[edit]

First Round
November 18, 2023
Campus sites 		Second Round
November 25, 2023
Campus sites 		Quarterfinals
December 2, 2023
Campus sites
         
1 Benedict* 25
4 Lenoir–Rhyne 35
Shepherd 17
4 Lenoir–Rhyne* 63
4 Lenoir–Rhyne 35
3 Valdosta State* 7
3 Valdosta State* 62
Limestone 41
3 Valdosta State 38
2 Delta State* 31
West Florida 14
2 Delta State* 48

Super Region 3[edit]

First Round
November 18, 2023
Campus sites 		Second Round
November 25, 2023
Campus sites 		Quarterfinals
December 2, 2023
Campus sites
         
1 Harding* 35
4 Central Missouri 34
Henderson State 14
4 Central Missouri* 56
1 Harding* 7
2 Grand Valley State 6
3 Pittsburg State* 35
Indianapolis 14
3 Pittsburg State 21
2 Grand Valley State* 24
Ferris State 14
2 Grand Valley State* 21

Super Region 4[edit]

First Round
November 18, 2023
Campus sites 		Second Round
November 25, 2023
Campus sites 		Quarterfinals
December 2, 2023
Campus sites
         
1 Colorado Mines* 56
4 Augustana (SD) 10
Minnesota State 24
4 Augustana (SD)* 51
1 Colorado Mines* 38
Central Washington 14
3 Texas–Permian Basin* 3
Bemidji State 10
Bemidji State* 17
Central Washington 21
Central Washington 16
2 Western Colorado* 13

Semifinals & Championship[edit]

Teams were re-seeded prior to semifinals.

Semifinals
December 9, 2023
Hosted by higher seeded team 		Championship
December 16, 2023
McKinney, Texas
      
1 Colorado Mines 35
4 Kutztown 7
1 Colorado Mines 7
2 Harding 38
3 Lenoir–Rhyne 14
2 Harding 55

Bowl games[edit]

There were four bowl games, which featured teams that did not qualify for the Division II postseason tournament.

The schedule included the inaugural edition of the Florida Beach Bowl, contested between teams from the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) and Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), two conferences mostly consisting of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs).[5]

Date Time (EST) Game Site Television Teams Affiliations Results
Dec. 1 7:00 p.m. America's Crossroads Bowl Hammond Central High School
Hammond, Indiana 		No broadcast McKendree (5–5)
Ashland (8–3) 		GLVC
GMAC 		Ashland 23
McKendree 20
Dec. 2 1:00 p.m. Live United Bowl Arkansas High School
Texarkana, Arkansas 		Southern Arkansas (9–2)
Missouri Western (8–3) 		GAC
MIAA 		Southern Arkansas 43
Missouri Western 27
Dec. 2 1:00 p.m. Heritage Bowl Tiger Stadium
Corsicana, Texas 		Southern Nazarene (6–5)
Emporia State (8–3) 		GAC
MIAA 		Emporia State 55
Southern Nazarene 24
Dec. 13 7:30 p.m. Florida Beach Bowl DRV PNK Stadium
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 		HBCU Go Johnson C. Smith (7–3)
Fort Valley State (7–3) 		CIAA
SIAC 		Fort Valley State 23
Johnson C. Smith 10

Coaching changes[edit]

Preseason and in-season[edit]

This is restricted to coaching changes that took place on or after May 1, 2023, and will include any changes announced after a team's last regularly scheduled games but before its playoff games.

School Outgoing coach Date Reason Replacement Previous position
Clark Atlanta Willie Slater October 2, 2023 Fired[6] Richard Moncrief Clark Atlanta offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach (2022–2023)
St. Augustine's Howard Feggins October 13, 2023 Fired[7] Jody Owens St. Augustine's defensive coordinator (2023)

End of season[edit]

This list includes coaching changes announced during the season that did not take effect until the end of the season.

School Outgoing coach Date Reason Replacement Previous position
Morehouse Gerard Wilcher November 6, 2023 Fired[8] Terance Mathis[9] Fellowship Christian (GA) assistant coach (2021)
West Chester Bill Zwaan November 6, 2023 Retired[10] Duke Greco[11] Delaware Valley head coach (2014–2023)
Northeastern State J. J. Eckert November 13, 2023 Contract expired[12] Darrin Chiaverini Chaffey College head coach (2023)
Mississippi College John Bland November 13, 2023 Resigned[13] Mike Kershaw[14] Rice wide receivers coach (2019–2023)
West Georgia David Dean November 13, 2023 Resigned[15] Joel Taylor[16] Mercer defensive coordinator (2020–2023)
Wingate Joe Reich November 14, 2023 Resigned (became school's athletic director)[17] Rashaan Jordan Wingate defensive coordinator and linebackers coach (2013–2023)
Hillsdale Keith Otterbein November 14, 2023 Retired[18] Nate Shreffler Hillsdale offensive coordinator (2011–2023)
UVA Wise Dane Damron November 14, 2023 Resigned[19] Gary Bass Quincy head coach (2017–2023)
Southwestern Oklahoma State Ruzell McCoy (interim) November 16, 2023 Permanent replacement[20] Andrew Rice[21] Southern Arkansas offensive coordinator (2022–2023)
Lake Erie DJ Boldin November 21, 2023 Resigned David Price Tiffin assistant head coach, defensive coordinator, and defensive line coach (2023)
Clark Atlanta Richard Moncrief (interim) November 27, 2023 Permanent replacement[22] Teddy Keaton Allen head coach (2018–2023)
Allen Teddy Keaton November 27, 2023 Hired by Clark Atlanta[22] Cedric Pearl Alabama A&M defensive line coach (2022–2023)
William Jewell Neil Linhart (interim) November 28, 2023 Permanent replacement[23] Jason Ambroson Smithville HS (MO) head coach (2015–2023)
Carson–Newman Mike Clowney November 29, 2023 Fired[24] Ashley Ingram Navy assistant head coach and offensive line coach (2023)
Pittsburg State Brian Wright December 3, 2023 Hired by Northern Arizona[25] Tom Anthony Pittsburg State assistant head coach and defensive coordinator (2022)
Benedict Chennis Berry December 7, 2023 Hired by South Carolina State[26] Ron Dickerson Jr. West Florida offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach (2023)
Tusculum Jerry Odom December 8, 2023 Resigned[27] Billy Taylor[28] East Tennessee State associate head coach and defensive coordinator (2013–2023)
Midwestern State Bill Maskill December 10, 2023 Retired[29] Rich Renner Midwestern State defensive coordinator (2008–2023)
Lincoln (MO) Jermaine Gales December 11, 2023 Hired as offensive coordinator by Alcorn State[30] Moses Harper[31] Nebraska–Kearney wide receivers coach (2023)
Tiffin Cris Reisert December 12, 2023 Hired by Gardner–Webb[32] Brett Ekkens Saginaw Valley State offensive coordinator and offensive line coach (2022–2023)
Quincy Gary Bass December 13, 2023 Hired by UVA Wise[33] Jason Killday Truman assistant head coach, offensive coordinator, and quarterbacks coach (2016–2023)
Fairmont State Jason Woodman December 19, 2023 Hired by Morehead State[34] Luke Barker Charleston (WV) associate head coach and offensive coordinator (2021–2023)
Bluefield State Tony Coaxum January 10, 2024 Fired[35] Davon Morgan[36] Florida A&M defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach (2022–2023)
Lenoir–Rhyne Mike Jacobs January 18, 2024 Hired as head coach by Mercer[37] Doug Socha[38] Keiser head coach (2017–2023)
Truman Gregg Nesbitt February 9, 2024 Retired[39] Kellen Nesbitt (full season interim)[40] Truman assistant head coach, defensive coordinator, and special teams coordinator (2016–2023)
Limestone Mike Furrey February 29, 2024 Hired as wide receivers coach for South Carolina[41] Jerricho Cotchery[42] Limestone assistant head coach and wide receivers coach (2022–2023)

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "DII adopts football proposals providing more season-of-competition flexibility, spring scrimmage opportunities" (Press release). NCAA. January 14, 2023. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
  2. ^ "Conference Carolinas Unveils Addition of Shorter University and Return of Football in 2025" (Press release). Conference Carolinas. January 26, 2023. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  3. ^ December 2023 Report (PDF) (Report). NCAA Division II Championships Committee. December 14, 2023. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  4. ^ "Defending national champion Ferris State begins 2023 at No. 1". afca.com. AFCA. August 14, 2023. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
  5. ^ "DRV PNK Stadium to Host Inaugural Florida Beach Bowl on Dec. 13". intermiamicf.com. Inter Miami CF Communications Department. October 9, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  6. ^ "Clark Atlanta fires legendary coach Willie Slater". Sports Illustrated. October 2, 2023. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  7. ^ "SAU releases Howard Feggins as Head Football Coach". Saint Augustine's University Athletics. October 13, 2023. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  8. ^ Mosley, Kyle T. (November 6, 2023). "Morehouse College Fires Coach Gerard Wilcher". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  9. ^ "Morehouse College Names NFL Veteran Terance Mathis as Head Coach of the Maroon Tigers Football Team". Morehouse College Athletics. February 2, 2024. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  10. ^ "Bill Zwaan Announces His Retirement". West Chester University Athletics. November 11, 2023. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  11. ^ "West Chester Tabs Duke Greco to Lead Gridiron Program". West Chester University Athletics. January 8, 2024. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  12. ^ "Northeastern State University seeks new direction for Football Program". Northeastern State University Athletics. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  13. ^ "Head Football Coach John Bland Steps Down". Mississippi College Athletics. November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  14. ^ "Mississippi College Welcomes Mike Kershaw as Head Coach of Football Program". Mississippi College Athletics. December 19, 2023. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  15. ^ "UWG's David Dean Stepping Down After Successful Tenure in Football Program". UWG Wolves | Athletic Programs | Official Athletics Site. November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  16. ^ "UWG Football Names New Head Coach". UWG Wolves | Athletic Programs | Official Athletics Site. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  17. ^ "Reich takes over as full-time Athletic Director; Rashaan Jordan named head football coach". Wingate University Athletics. November 14, 2023. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  18. ^ "Hillsdale College football head coach Keith Otterbein announces retirement; assistant Nate Shreffler to take over". hillsdalechargers.com. November 14, 2023.
  19. ^ "UVA Wise Partners with Mammoth Sports Consulting on Football Search". UVA Wise Cavaliers. November 14, 2023. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  20. ^ "SWOSU Announces Search for New Head Football Coach". Southwestern Oklahoma State University Athletics. November 16, 2023. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  21. ^ "Andrew Rice Named New Head Football Coach at SWOSU". Southwestern Oklahoma State University Athletics. December 13, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  22. ^ a b "Clark Atlanta University Selects Teddy Keaton as Head Coach of Panthers Football". Clark Atlanta University Athletics. November 27, 2023. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  23. ^ Samuels, Doug (November 28, 2023). "Sources: William Jewell opening national search for new head coach". Footballscoop. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  24. ^ "Pope makes leadership change in Carson-Newman's football program". November 29, 2023.
  25. ^ "Anthony Returns to Lead Pitt State Football Program". December 3, 2023.
  26. ^ Gaither, Steven J. (December 7, 2023). "HBCU football coaching landscape shifts with SC State hire". HBCU Gameday. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  27. ^ "Odom steps down as head football coach". December 8, 2023. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  28. ^ "Billy Taylor named Tusculum head football coach". tusculumpioneers.com. Tusculum University Athletics. December 22, 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  29. ^ "Maskill announces retirement following successful 22-year run". MSU Athletics. December 10, 2023. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
  30. ^ "Gales Steps Down as Lincoln Football Coach". Lincoln University Athletics. December 11, 2023. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  31. ^ "Moses Harper Named Head Football Coach of the Blue Tigers". Lincoln University Athletics. January 17, 2024. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
  32. ^ Samuels, Doug (December 12, 2023). "Gardner-Webb hiring one of the top Division II coaches". Footballscoop. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  33. ^ "GARY BASS NAMED FIFTH FOOTBALL COACH IN SCHOOL HISTORY". UVA Wise Cavaliers. December 13, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  34. ^ "Morehead State Welcomes Jason Woodman as Head Football Coach". msueagles.com. Morehead State University Athletics. December 19, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  35. ^ "Bluefield State University fires coach who restarted program". HBCU Gameday. January 9, 2024. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  36. ^ "Bluefield State hires former FAMU coordinator as HC". HBCU Gameday. March 5, 2024. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
  37. ^ "Mercer Announces Mike Jacobs As Football Head Coach". Mercer University Athletics. January 18, 2024. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
  38. ^ "Doug Socha named Lenoir-Rhyne Football Head Coach". Lenoir-Rhyne University Athletics. January 29, 2024. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  39. ^ "Gregg Nesbitt To Retire From Truman Football Program". Truman State University Athletics. February 9, 2024. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  40. ^ "Kellen Nesbitt Tabbed Interim Head Football Coach For 2024 Season". Truman State University Athletics. February 15, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  41. ^ "Mike Furrey Named Gamecocks' Wide Receivers Coach". University of South Carolina Athletics. February 29, 2024. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  42. ^ "Former NFL Wide Receiver Jerricho Cotchery Named New Head Football Coach at Limestone University". Limestone University Athletics. February 29, 2024. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
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