Grossner Named Regional Coach of the Year

WACO, Texas – Baker head coach Mike Grossner joined some of the top football coaches at all levels on Monday as he was named a 2015 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Regional Coach of the Year.

Grossner led the Wildcats to an 11-2 record this season and its second Heart of America Athletic Conference title in the last three years.

Wrapping up his 12th season for the Wildcats, Grossner ranks fourth all-time in program history in wins with his overall mark of 84-49.

Baker appeared in the NAIA Football Championship Series for the third time in four years this season and advanced to the National Quarterfinals, hosting the first two rounds at Liston Stadium.

The 2015 Heart South Coach of the Year joined four other NAIA coaches on the list including Reinhardt's Drew Cronic, University of St. Francis' Kevin Donley, Morningside's Steve Ryan and Arizona Christian's Donnie Yontis.

Grossner is also joined by fellow coaches at the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) level, including Clemson's Dabo Swinney, University of Florida's Jim McElwain, University of Iowa's Kirk Ferentz, Oklahoma State's Mike Gundy and Stanford's David Shaw.

For a look at the entire list of Regional Coaches of the Year, please see below.

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