WACO, Tex. – University of Dayton head football coach Rick Chamberlin has been named American Football Coaches Association Region 4 Coach of the Year.

Chamberlin, the 2015 Pioneer Football League Coach of the Year, joins a who's who of college coaches honored by the AFCA.

The AFCA recognizes five regional Coach of the Year winners in each of the Association's five divisions: Football Bowl Subdivision, Football Championship Subdivision, Division II, Division III and NAIA. The winners are selected by Active members of the Association who vote for coaches in their respective regions and divisions.

Chamberlin was named the PFL Coach of the Year for the second time in his career.  The former UD All-American guided the Flyers to the 2015 PFL regular-season championship title, and the school's first-ever appearance in the FCS playoffs.

Dayton's 10-2 record would have created a buzz for the award anyway, but it was such success after overcoming two potential road blocks that made him the clear-cut winner.  Starting QB Alex Jeske came off the bench in the season opener after beginning camp as the number three quarterback.  And just four games into the season, Dayton's all-time leading rusher and the 2014 PFL Offensive Player of the Year, Connor Kacsor, was injured and lost for the season.

Chamberlin just concluded his eighth season as the University of Dayton's head football coach where he has an impressive record of 65-25. Chamberlin has been a part of the Flyer football family for five decades, with 41 seasons tied to the program as a player, assistant coach and head coach.

This was Dayton's 12th PFL championship, and Chamberlin has been a part of every one.

The 2015 Regional Coach of the Year winners will be recognized at the AFCA Coach of the Year Dinner at the 2016 AFCA Convention in San Antonio, Texas. The dinner is scheduled for Tuesday, January 12.