2021 NCAA Division III football season
American college football season
The 2021 NCAA Division III football season was the component of the 2021 college football season organized by the NCAA at the Division III level in the United States. The regular season began on September 4 and ended on November 13.
The season's playoffs were played between November 20 and December 17, and culminated in the national championship, also known as the Stagg Bowl, at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio . The Mary Hardin–Baylor Crusaders beat the North Central Cardinals in the title game, 57–24.
Conference changes and new programs
Membership changes
^ Already did not play in 2020–21 but their football conference did not hold a football season in 2020–21.
^ Already moved in 2020–21 but did not play during the spring 2020–21 season.
Conference standings
Postseason
Qualification
Automatic bids (27)
At-large bids (5)
Bracket
Coaching changes
This list includes all head coaching changes announced during or after the season.
School
Outgoing coach
Date
Reason
Replacement
Previous position
Carnegie Mellon
Rich Lackner
Before November 2022 (effective at season end)
Retired
Ryan Larsen [ 2]
Columbia quarterbacks coach (2019–2021)
Christopher Newport
Art Link
November 7, 2021
Fired[ 3]
Paul Crowley [ 4]
Christopher Newport offensive line coach (2019–2021)
Merchant Marine
Mike Toop
November 10, 2021
Retired[ 5]
Jameson Croall [ 6]
Merchant Marine offensive coordinator and offensive line coach (2012–2021)
Luther
Caleb Padilla
November 15, 2021
Fired[ 7]
Joe Troche [ 8]
St. Olaf special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach (2019–2021)
Wittenberg
Joe Fincham
November 18, 2021
Retired[ 9]
Jim Collins [ 10]
Dayton offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach (2020–2021)
Wisconsin–Platteville
Mike Mendorfer
November 22, 2021
Retired[ 11]
Ryan Munz [ 12]
Wisconsin–Platteville offensive coordinator (2007–2021)
Dean
Steve Tirrell
November 23, 2021
Resigned[ 13]
Andrae Murphy [ 14]
Columbia defensive backs coach (2018–2021)
Millikin
Dan Gritti
November 29, 2021
Resigned[ 15]
Carlton Hall [ 16]
Millikin defensive coordinator (2020–2021)
Wisconsin–Oshkosh
Pat Cerroni
November 30, 2021
Retired[ 17]
Peter Jennings [ 18]
Wisconsin–Whitewater offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach (2018–2021)
Sul Ross
John Pearce
December 1, 2021
Resigned[ 19]
Barry Derickson [ 20]
Sul Ross offensive coordinator (2021)
Kenyon
James Rosenbury
December 3, 2021
Resigned[ 21]
Ian Good [ 22]
Kenyon defensive coordinator and linebackers coach (2019–2021)
Waynesburg
Chris Smithley
December 7, 2021
Moved to administrative position[ 23]
Cornelius Coleman [ 24]
Duquesne defensive line coach (2020–2021)
Rockford
J. T. Zimmerman
December 9, 2021
Resigned[ 25]
Calvin Toliver [ 26]
Rockford offensive coordinator (2021)
Franklin & Marshall
John Troxell
December 14, 2021
Hired as head coach for Lafayette [ 27]
Tom Blumenauer [ 28]
Williams offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach (2021)
Wisconsin–Stevens Point
Greg Breitbach
December 30, 2021
Resigned[ 29]
Luke Venne [ 30]
Wisconsin–Oshkosh offensive coordinator (2017–2021)
Albright
John Marzka
December 2021
Resigned
Isaac Collins [ 31]
Bucknell defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach (2021)
Thiel
Mike Winslow
December 2021
Fired
Sam Bauman [ 32]
Wooster defensive coordinator and linebackers coach (2015–2021)
Mary Hardin–Baylor
Pete Fredenburg
January 7, 2022
Retired[ 33]
Larry Harmon [ 34]
Mary Hardin–Baylor defensive coordinator (2002–2021)
Idaho State
Christian Ozolins (interim head coach)
January 21, 2022
Permanent replacement hired
Lazarus Morgan [ 35]
Cortland defensive coordinator and safeties coach (2020–2021)
Ithaca
Dan Swanstrom
January 24, 2022
Hired as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for Penn [ 36]
Michael Toerper [ 37]
Holy Cross safeties coach (2020–2021)
Chicago
Chris Wilkerson
January 25, 2022
Hired as head coach by Eastern Illinois [ 38]
Todd Gilcrist Jr. [ 39]
Holy Cross wide receivers coach (2019–2021)
North Central (IL)
Jeff Thorne
January 26, 2022
Hired as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for Western Michigan [ 40]
Brad Spencer [ 41]
North Central (IL) offensive coordinator (2015–2021)
FDU–Florham
Jimmy Robertson
January 27, 2022
Hired as quarterbacks coach for Monmouth [ 42]
Anthony Van Curen [ 43]
FDU–Florham defensive coordinator (2019–2021)
Bethany (WV)
Bill Garvey
January 28, 2022
Fired[ 44]
Brandon Robinson [ 45]
Baldwin Wallace offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach (2020–2021)
Anna Maria
Dan Mulrooney
January 31, 2022
Hired as the head coach for Lock Haven [ 46]
Steve Croce [ 47]
Anna Maria offensive coordinator and running backs coach (2019–2021)
Alvernia
Ralph Clark
Before January 2022
Fired
Steve Azzanesi [ 48]
Delaware State offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach (2020–2021)
Lewis & Clark
Jay Locey
February 4, 2022
Retired[ 49]
Joe Bushman [ 50]
Lewis & Clark offensive coordinator (2019–2021)
Bates
Ed Argast (interim)
February 8, 2022
Permanent replacement hired
Matt Coyne [ 51]
Wesleyan defensive coordinator, special teams coordinator, and linebackers coach (2021)
John Carroll
Rick Finotti
March 14, 2022
Resigned[ 52]
Drew Nystrom (full season interim)[ 52]
John Carroll offensive coordinator and offensive line coach (2020–2021)
Macalester
KiJuan Ware (interim)
March 18, 2022
Permanent replacement hired
Phil Nicolaides [ 53]
Randolph–Macon defensive coordinator (2016–2021)
Martin Luther
Mark Stein
Before April 25, 2022
Hired as athletic director for Fox Valley Lutheran HS (WI) [ 54]
Paul Huebner [ 55]
Shoreland Lutheran HS (WI) head coach (2011–2021)
Curry
Skip Bandini
Before April 2022
Retired
Todd Parsons [ 56]
Endicott assistant head coach and offensive coordinator (2020–2021)
William Paterson
Dustin Johnson
Before May 2022
Hired as cornerbacks coach for Villanova
Shaun Williams [ 57]
William Paterson defensive coordinator and safeties coach (2013–2021)
See also
Notes
^ The day before the game was scheduled to be played, Carnegie Mellon announced that it would withdraw from the tournament due to a number of positive COVID-19 tests among members of the team and the game was declared as a no contest.[ 1]
References
^ "Carnegie Mellon's NCAA First Round Football Game at North Central Declared No Contest" . Carnegie Mellon University Athletics . November 19, 2021. Retrieved November 20, 2021 .
^ "Ryan Larsen Named Head Football Coach at Carnegie Mellon University" . Carnegie Mellon University . February 3, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2024 .
^ Smith, Brian (November 7, 2021). "CNU announces Link fired as head football coach" . 13 News Now . Retrieved June 15, 2024 .
^ "Christopher Newport University Names Paul Crowley Head Football Coach" . NJAC . December 8, 2021. Retrieved June 15, 2024 .
^ Barnett, Zach (November 10, 2021). "US Merchant Marine Academy head coach announces retirement" . Footballscoop . Retrieved June 15, 2024 .
^ "Croall Officially Named USMMA Football's Next Head Coach" . United States Merchant Marine Academy . August 8, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2024 .
^ "Luther College has fired its head football coach" . Decorah News . November 15, 2021. Retrieved June 15, 2024 .
^ "Troche named Luther coach" . The Gazette . December 15, 2021. pp. P1. Retrieved June 15, 2024 .
^ "Longtime Tiger Football Leader Announces Retirement" . Wittenberg University . November 18, 2021. Retrieved June 16, 2024 .
^ "Wittenberg Names New Head Football Coach" . Wittenberg University . November 23, 2021. Retrieved June 16, 2024 .
^ "Emendorfer retires as UW-Platteville head coach after 23 years" . WXOW . November 22, 2021. Retrieved June 16, 2024 .
^ Iglesias, Pablo (February 7, 202). "UW-Platteville names Ryan Munz as new head football coach" . WKOW . Retrieved June 15, 2024 .
^ "Football Head Coach Steve Tirrell Steps Down" . Dean College . November 23, 2021. Retrieved June 15, 2024 .
^ "Alumnus returns as Dean head coach" . D3football . January 21, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2024 .
^ Marshall, Bryan (November 29, 2021). "Millikin Searching for new Head Football Coach" . Millikin University Athletics . Retrieved June 15, 2024 .
^ Marshall, Bryan (December 9, 2021). "Hall Named Millikin University Head Football Coach" . Millikin University Athletics . Retrieved June 15, 2024 .
^ "UWO's Cerroni retires after 15 seasons as Titans head football coach" . UW Oshkosh Today . November 30, 2021. Retrieved June 16, 2024 .
^ "UW Oshkosh names Peter Jennings head football coach" . UW Oshkosh Today . March 1, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2024 .
^ Barnett, Zach (November 30, 2021). "John Pearce resigns at Sul Ross State" . Footballscoop . Retrieved June 15, 2024 .
^ Esparza, Betse (July 11, 2023). "SRSU's Barry Derickson named to Dave Campbell's Top 40 list" . SUL ROSS . Retrieved January 17, 2024 .
^ "Rosenbury resigns as Lords football coach" . Kenyon College Athletics . December 3, 2021. Retrieved June 16, 2024 .
^ "Ian Good moves into head coach role for Kenyon football" . Mount Vernon News . December 27, 2021. Retrieved June 16, 2024 .
^ "Chris Smithley moving to new position at Waynesburg University" . Waynesburg University . December 7, 2021. Retrieved June 16, 2024 .
^ "Dr. Cornelius Coleman named head football coach" . Waynesburg University Athletics . December 7, 2021. Retrieved June 16, 2024 .
^ Taft, Jay (December 9, 2021). "Rockford University quickly changes coaches as WR Joey Owens named to All-Region list" . Rockford Register Star . Retrieved June 16, 2024 .
^ Tilka, Michael (December 9, 2021). "Rockford University picks Offensive Coordinator Calvin Toliver as new Head Coach" . 23WIFR . Retrieved June 16, 2024 .
^ "Troxell Stepping Down as F&M Football Coach" . Franklin & Marshall College . December 14, 2021. Retrieved June 15, 2024 .
^ Barnett, Zach (February 16, 2022). "Franklin & Marshall selects new head coach" . Footballscoop . Retrieved January 24, 2024 .
^ "UWSP Football Head Coach Greg Breitbach Steps Down" . University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point Athletics . December 20, 2023. Retrieved June 15, 2024 .
^ Link, Jacob (April 27, 2022). "Venne becomes head coach at UWSP" . The Advance-Titan . Retrieved June 16, 2024 .
^ "Albright Names Isaac Collins as Next Head Football Coach" . Albright College Athletics . February 11, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2024 .
^ "Bauman named Thiel College head football coach" . Thiel College . February 23, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2024 .
^ Craven, Mike (January 8, 2022). "Pete Fredenburg retires; Mary Hardin-Baylor promotes Larry Harmon to head coach" . Dave Campbell's Texas Football . Retrieved June 15, 2024 .
^ Drennan, Eric (January 8, 2022). "Longtime DC Larry Harmon takes over Cru football program" . The Killeen Daily Herald . Retrieved June 15, 2024 .
^ "Lazarus Morgan named Football Head Coach" . Buffalo State University Athletics . January 21, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2024 .
^ "Head Football Coach Dan Swanstrom Departs for Penn" . Ithaca College Athletics . January 24, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2024 .
^ Charde, Aidan; Mumau, Tommy (February 20, 2022). "Former IC defensive coordinator named new head coach of football program" . The Ithacan . Retrieved June 15, 2024 .
^ Beherns, Bret (January 26, 2022). "Chris Wilkerson named new Eastern Illinois football coach" . WCIA . Retrieved June 15, 2024 .
^ "Todd Gilcrist Jr. Named UChicago Head Football Coach" . The University of Chicago . April 7, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2024 .
^ Nothaft, Patrick (January 31, 2022). "WMU football names Jeff Thorne, father of Michigan State QB, new offensive coordinator" . mlive . Retrieved June 15, 2024 .
^ "Brad Spencer '04 Named Head Football Coach" . North Central College Athletics . January 26, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2024 .
^ "Jimmy Roberston Added To Football Staff" . Monmouth University Athletics . January 27, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2024 .
^ "Anthony Van Curen Named Head Football Coach at FDU-Florham" . Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus Athletics . April 4, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2024 .
^ Samuels, Doug (January 28, 2021). "The Scoop - Friday January 28, 2022" . Footballscoop . Retrieved June 16, 2024 .
^ "Bethany Introduces Brandon Robinson as Football Coach" . Bethany College . February 15, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2024 .
^ "LHU names Dan Mulrooney new head football coach" . Lock Haven University Athletics . January 31, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2024 .
^ "Steve Croce Named AMCAT Head Football Coach" . Anna Maria . January 31, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2024 .
^ Walter, Andy (January 24, 2022). "Former Wesley coach Azzanesi hired as Alvernia head coach" . Daily State News . Retrieved June 15, 2024 .
^ "Head Football Coach Jay Locey Retires" . Lewis & Clark . February 4, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2024 .
^ Danzer, Paul (May 9, 2022). "Joe Bushman plans to build on football momentum at Lewis & Clark" . PortlandTribune.com . Retrieved June 15, 2024 .
^ "Matt Coyne named head football coach at Bates" . Bates College . February 8, 2024. Retrieved June 15, 2024 .
^ a b "Rick Finotti Steps Down as Head Football Coach; Drew Nystrom Named Interim Coach" . John Carroll University Athletics . March 14, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2024 .
^ Denehy, Lily (April 28, 2022). "Phil Nicolaides brings compassion, vulnerability to football program" . The Mac Weekly . Retrieved June 15, 2024 .
^ "New coach at Martin Luther" . D3football . April 25, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2024 .
^ "Paul Huebner is New MLC Head Football Coach" . Martin Luther College Athletics . April 26, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2024 .
^ "Curry College Names Todd Parsons Head Football Coach" . Curry Athletics . April 7, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2024 .
^ "Former New York Giant Shaun Williams Elevated to Head Coach of William Paterson's Football Program" . William Paterson University Athletics . June 13, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2024 .
Seasons
Playoffs
Championship games
Records & statistics