2023 NCAA Division II football season | |
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Total No. of teams | 163 |
Regular season | August 31 – November 11, 2023 |
Playoffs | November 18 – December 16, 2023 |
National Championship | McKinney Independent School District Stadium McKinney, TX December 16, 2023 |
Champion | Harding |
Harlon Hill Trophy | Zach 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 |
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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]The top 25 from the AFCA Coaches' Poll.
Preseason Poll
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Conference standings
[edit]Super Region 1
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Super Region 2
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Super Region 3
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Super Region 4
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Postseason
[edit]Qualifiers
[edit]* — 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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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]- 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season
- 2023 NCAA Division I FCS football season
- 2023 NCAA Division III football season
- 2023 NAIA football season
- 2023 U Sports football season
- 2023 junior college football season
References
[edit]- ^ "DII adopts football proposals providing more season-of-competition flexibility, spring scrimmage opportunities" (Press release). NCAA. January 14, 2023. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
- ^ "Conference Carolinas Unveils Addition of Shorter University and Return of Football in 2025" (Press release). Conference Carolinas. January 26, 2023. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
- ^ December 2023 Report (PDF) (Report). NCAA Division II Championships Committee. December 14, 2023. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
- ^ "Defending national champion Ferris State begins 2023 at No. 1". afca.com. AFCA. August 14, 2023. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Clark Atlanta fires legendary coach Willie Slater". Sports Illustrated. October 2, 2023. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
- ^ "SAU releases Howard Feggins as Head Football Coach". Saint Augustine's University Athletics. October 13, 2023. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
- ^ Mosley, Kyle T. (November 6, 2023). "Morehouse College Fires Coach Gerard Wilcher". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Bill Zwaan Announces His Retirement". West Chester University Athletics. November 11, 2023. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
- ^ "West Chester Tabs Duke Greco to Lead Gridiron Program". West Chester University Athletics. January 8, 2024. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
- ^ "Northeastern State University seeks new direction for Football Program". Northeastern State University Athletics. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
- ^ "Head Football Coach John Bland Steps Down". Mississippi College Athletics. November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
- ^ "Mississippi College Welcomes Mike Kershaw as Head Coach of Football Program". Mississippi College Athletics. December 19, 2023. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "UWG Football Names New Head Coach". UWG Wolves | Athletic Programs | Official Athletics Site. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
- ^ "Reich takes over as full-time Athletic Director; Rashaan Jordan named head football coach". Wingate University Athletics. November 14, 2023. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
- ^ "Hillsdale College football head coach Keith Otterbein announces retirement; assistant Nate Shreffler to take over". hillsdalechargers.com. November 14, 2023.
- ^ "UVA Wise Partners with Mammoth Sports Consulting on Football Search". UVA Wise Cavaliers. November 14, 2023. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
- ^ "SWOSU Announces Search for New Head Football Coach". Southwestern Oklahoma State University Athletics. November 16, 2023. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
- ^ "Andrew Rice Named New Head Football Coach at SWOSU". Southwestern Oklahoma State University Athletics. December 13, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Samuels, Doug (November 28, 2023). "Sources: William Jewell opening national search for new head coach". Footballscoop. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
- ^ "Pope makes leadership change in Carson-Newman's football program". November 29, 2023.
- ^ "Anthony Returns to Lead Pitt State Football Program". December 3, 2023.
- ^ Gaither, Steven J. (December 7, 2023). "HBCU football coaching landscape shifts with SC State hire". HBCU Gameday. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
- ^ "Odom steps down as head football coach". December 8, 2023.
{{cite journal}}
: Cite journal requires|journal=
(help) - ^ "Billy Taylor named Tusculum head football coach". tusculumpioneers.com. Tusculum University Athletics. December 22, 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
- ^ "Maskill announces retirement following successful 22-year run". MSU Athletics. December 10, 2023. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
- ^ "Gales Steps Down as Lincoln Football Coach". Lincoln University Athletics. December 11, 2023. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
- ^ "Moses Harper Named Head Football Coach of the Blue Tigers". Lincoln University Athletics. January 17, 2024. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
- ^ Samuels, Doug (December 12, 2023). "Gardner-Webb hiring one of the top Division II coaches". Footballscoop. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
- ^ "GARY BASS NAMED FIFTH FOOTBALL COACH IN SCHOOL HISTORY". UVA Wise Cavaliers. December 13, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
- ^ "Morehead State Welcomes Jason Woodman as Head Football Coach". msueagles.com. Morehead State University Athletics. December 19, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
- ^ "Bluefield State University fires coach who restarted program". HBCU Gameday. January 9, 2024. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
- ^ "Bluefield State hires former FAMU coordinator as HC". HBCU Gameday. March 5, 2024. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
- ^ "Mercer Announces Mike Jacobs As Football Head Coach". Mercer University Athletics. January 18, 2024. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
- ^ "Doug Socha named Lenoir-Rhyne Football Head Coach". Lenoir-Rhyne University Athletics. January 29, 2024. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
- ^ "Gregg Nesbitt To Retire From Truman Football Program". Truman State University Athletics. February 9, 2024. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
- ^ "Kellen Nesbitt Tabbed Interim Head Football Coach For 2024 Season". Truman State University Athletics. February 15, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
- ^ "Mike Furrey Named Gamecocks' Wide Receivers Coach". University of South Carolina Athletics. February 29, 2024. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ "Former NFL Wide Receiver Jerricho Cotchery Named New Head Football Coach at Limestone University". Limestone University Athletics. February 29, 2024. Retrieved February 29, 2024.