ALBANY, N.Y. – University at Albany Head Football Coach Greg Gattuso has been named the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Region 1 Coach of the Year, the organization announced Wednesday morning. Winners are selected by active members of the Association who vote for coaches in their respective regions and divisions. It is the first time Gattuso has earned the accolade.
 
Gattuso coached the Great Danes to a 9-3 overall record in the regular season, going 9-1 against FCS opponents. Under Gattuso, the program recorded its first ever Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) regular season championship after finishing with a 7-1 conference record. The UAlbany defense was ranked the best in the CAA, allowing just 17.2 points per game, and the defensive front led the nation as the best run stopping corps in the FCS.
 
On the offensive side of the ball, UAlbany has scored 30+ points seven times this season. Quarterback Reese Poffenbarger has thrown more TDs than any other quarterback in the FCS, sitting atop the leaderboard with 31.
 
UAlbany earned the No. 5 overall seed in the FCS Playoffs as well as a first-round bye. It is the highest a UAlbany football team has ever been ranked. The Great Danes were awarded a first-round bye before defeating conference foe and co-champions Richmond last weekend, 41-13, in the Second Round. UAlbany moves on to face #4 Idaho this upcoming Saturday in the FCS Quarterfinals – the farthest the program has ever made it in the postseason.

Gattuso was named the CAA Coach of the year following the end of the regular season, the second time he has won the award (2019). 
 
The AFCA will announce the 2023 National Coach of the Year winners in the FBS, FCS, Division II, Division III and NAIA on Tuesday, Jan. 9th. The Regional winners in each division are finalists for National Coach of the Year.
 
For a full list of winners, see below.
 
2023 AFCA Regional Coach of the Year Winners
Football Bowl Subdivision
Region 1: Mike Norvell, Florida State University
Region 2: Eliah Drinkwitz, University of Missouri
Region 3: David Braun, Northwestern University
Region 4: Jerry Kill, New Mexico State University
Region 5: Kalen DeBoer, University of Washington
 
Football Championship Subdivision
Region 1: Greg Gattuso, University at Albany
Region 2: Clay Hendrix, Furman University
Region 3: *Willie Simmons, Florida A&M University
Region 4: Todd Stepsis, Drake University
Region 5: Bobby Hauck, University of Montana
 
Division II
Region 1: Jim Clements, Kutztown University
Region 2: *Chennis Berry, Benedict College
Region 3: Josh Lamberson, University of Central Missouri
Region 4: Paul Simmons, Harding University
Region 5: Pete Sterbick, Colorado School of Mines
 
Division III
Region 1: Curt Fitzpatrick, SUNY Cortland
Region 2: Greg Chimera, Johns Hopkins University
Region 3: Jerheme Urban, Trinity (Tex.) University
Region 4: *Jason Couch, Alma College
Region 5: Chris Winter, Wartburg College
 
NAIA
Region 1: Doug Socha, Keiser University
Region 2: Mike Feminis, Saint Xavier University
Region 3: Chuck Hepola, Evangel University
Region 4: *Matt McCarty, Northwestern College
Region 5: Drew Maddox, Louisiana Christian University
*-2022 winner
 
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.
 
Keep up with all of the latest news, highlights, and insights on UAlbany football by following the team on X , Instagram, and Threads, and by using the hashtags #UAUKNOW and #WinTheDay.