Lindsey Wilson’s Chris Oliver Named AFCA NAIA National Coach of the Year

Football | Mon, May 10, 2021

AFCA Release

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Ahead of tonight’s national championship game, Lindsey Wilson’s (Ky.) Chris Oliver was named the 2021 Spring AFCA NAIA National Coach of the Year, the American Football Coaches Association announced on Monday morning.

Active AFCA members at NAIA institutions voted to select Oliver for the annual award which has dated back to 1935.

In the article, Coach Oliver had this to say about the national recognition, “It’s a tremendous honor to be selected for this award from the AFCA,” Lindsey Wilson head coach Chris Oliver said. “Head coaches get a lot of credit when things are going well, but awards like this happen due to the hard work and sacrifice of players and assistant coaches. Our guys have sacrificed and invested more than ever to meet the unique challenges of this season. This is a team award, and I’m very blessed to lead this team.”

Earlier this season, Oliver was listed amongst the five regional winners who became finalists for the national award. The other finalists were Concordia’s (Mich.) Joshua Schumacher, Grand View’s (Iowa) Joe Woodley, Morningside’s (Iowa) Steve Ryan, and Arizona Christian’s Jeff Bowen. The regional honor was Oliver’s sixth since starting the Lindsey Wilson program back in 2010.

Lindsey Wilson owns an overall record of 92-33 with six NAIA playoff appearances in 11 seasons with Oliver at the helm. Back in 2019, Oliver guided the Blue Raiders to the most wins in a season in 2019 when Lindsey Wilson went 12-1 and made the program’s first appearance in the NAIA semifinals. Lindsey Wilson has won four Mid-South Conference Division titles under Oliver to go along with his four Mid-South Conference Coach of the Year honors.

This season, Oliver has guided Lindsey Wilson to a 10-0 overall record, the Mid-South Conference Bluegrass Division title, and the program’s first-ever appearance in the NAIA National Championship game. The Blue Raiders face Northwestern (Iowa) tonight at Eddie G. Robinson Stadium in Grambling, Louisiana at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN3.