(Black PR Wire) Waco, Texas — The American Football Coaches Association is proud to announce its 2024 Assistant Coach of the Year winners, with Florida Memorial University Assistant Head Football Coach and Offensive Coordinator Michael Jones being named 2024 AFCA NAIA Assistant Coach of the Year.

One assistant coach from the five divisions of college football has been selected for their dedication to their teams and communities. A total of 67 nominees from Football Bowl Subdivision, Football Championship Subdivision, Division II, Division III, and NAIA were nominated in 2024.

Each year, staff representatives from NCAA and NAIA football-playing schools are asked to nominate an assistant for consideration. From those nominations, the winners are selected by the AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year Committee.

The Assistant Coach of the Year award was first presented in 1997 and was created to honor assistant coaches who excel in community service, commitment to the student-athlete, on-field coaching success and AFCA professional organization involvement.

The 2024 honorees are as follows:

FBS–Sean Saturnio, Special Teams Coordinator, Army West Point

FCS–Don Dobes, Defensive Coordinator, Linebackers, Dartmouth College

Division II–Roy Thompson, Jr., Defensive Coordinator, Ouachita Baptist University

Division III–Cody Baethke, Associate Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator, Defensive Backs, Coe College

NAIA–Michael Jones, Assistant Head Coach, Offensive Coordinator, Quarterbacks Coach, Florida Memorial University

The criterion for the award is not limited to on-field coaching ability or the success of the team and the players whom these assistant coaches work with. Service to the community through charitable work and other volunteer activities, participation in AFCA activities and events, participation in other professional organizations and impact on student-athletes are all considered in the selection process.

Assistant Coach of the Year Notes

137 assistant coaches from 103 different schools have been honored by the AFCA since the inception of the award in 1997 … Iowa and Virginia Union join Benedictine (Kan.), Morningside, Bethel (Minn.), Campbellsville, Carson-Newman and Hampton as schools with three winners each … Army, Air Force, Carroll (Mont.), Central (Iowa), Clemson, Duke, Johns Hopkins, Kansas Wesleyan, Lindsey Wilson, Marian, Mount Union, Northwest Missouri State, Tabor, Wabash, Washington (Mo.) and Winona State all have two winners each.

Winners of the Assistant Coach of the Year Award will receive a plaque to commemorate their recognition. They will be honored Sunday, January 12, during the 2025 AFCA Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The Winners 

Football Bowl Subdivision

Sean Saturnio, Army West Point: Saturnio is in his 11th year as an assistant for the Army Black Knights and his 6th year as special teams coordinator … Long-standing member of the AFCA who was a finalist for the AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year in 2021 and 2022 … Saturnio has participated and led a group of Army football players to participate, work, and lead in a Special Olympics event every spring … Hosts a weekly leadership and mentorship program for select football players on the Army roster … Under Saturnio, Army has blocked 11 punts in each of the last four seasons and has a total of 20 blocked punts and field goals, which is the most in the country in that span … In 2020, Army led the nation in both blocked kicks and blocked punts under Saturnio.

Football Championship Subdivision

Don Dobes, Dartmouth: Dobes has been a college coach for 45 years with the last 15 at Dartmouth … He has been a part of five Ivy League titles at Dartmouth and 11 total including his time at Princeton and Penn … Dobes is an active member of the AFCA and has served on both the AFCA Assistant Coaches Committee and AFCA Registration Committee … Dobes works with the Andy Talley Foundation, who helps find life-saving donors for patients in need of blood stem cell or bone marrow transplants, Derek’s Dreams, which raises awareness and funds for a treatment or cure for Ataxia Telangiectasia (A-T), and Lauren’s First and Goal, which supports pediatric brain tumor research and cancer services … In 2023, under Dobes, Dartmouth finished 14th nationally in scoring defense, 12th in total defense, 10th in fourth down conversions, and 4th in first down defense … In 2024, Dobes’ defense allowed fewer than 20 points in five of 10 games and ranked 7th nationally in rushing defense.

Division II

Roy Thompson, Jr., Ouachita Baptist: Thompson, who was just named the head coach at Arkansas Tech, has been at Ouachita Baptist for 13 years in two different stints … From 2009-2012, he served as the linebackers and defensive line coach … Long-time AFCA member who has served on both the AFCA Meeting Room Committee and the AFCA D2 Assistant Coaches Committee … Thompson is a deacon for his church in Arkadelphia … Leader of various professional development programs for youth and high schoolers …. Tigers ended 2024 with a 10-2 record and an appearance in the D2 playoffs … Thompson’s defense was No. 5 in the nation in scoring defense and tied for third in tackles for loss … Thompson has coached four players who have earned All-America honors, seven All-Region players, and 26 All-Conference players.

Division III

Cody Baethke, Coe: Baethke joined the Coe coaching staff in 2018 after four years as an assistant at Central College … An active member of the AFCA, Baethke is a member of the AFCA Program Committee, who introduces speakers at the annual coaches convention … Organizes several team volunteer activities and participated in several community events such as American Reads, Special Olympics and Planting Forward through Mercy Medical and St. Lukes Hospital … Led the first ever overseas trip for the Coe football program … In 2023, Baethke’s defense finished top 10 in the country in six different categories … This year the Kohawk’s went 9-2 and advanced to the NCAA playoffs … Coe’s defense ranked second in the American Rivers Conference in total defense, rushing defense and scoring defense.

NAIA

Michael Jones, Florida Memorial: Jones is the assistant head coach, offensive coordinator, and quarterback coach at Florida Memorial … AFCA member and yearly convention attendee … Volunteered with JA Finance helping with a Middle School field trip … Also taken players to speak at local elementary schools and helped feed the homeless at Miami Rescue … In 2023, Jones was awarded the inaugural Assistant Coach of the Year Award for the Sun Conference for guiding an offense that finished first in rushing and third in passing … Finished the 2024 season third in the Sun Conference in total offense at 425.1 yards per game and third in rushing at 207.6 yards a game … Key contributor to the Lions’ seven All-Conference honorees.

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Source: Florida Memorial University