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Coaches Association · American Football · United States

AFCA — American Football Coaches Association

The professional association of football coaches since 1922 — 11,000+ members, the Coaches' Trophy, and the coaches' All-America teams.
✓ Last reviewed: August 2026
TypeProfessional association of football coaches
Founded1922
HeadquartersWaco, Texas
Members11,000+ — all levels of the game
Known forCoaches’ Trophy · Coach of the Year · All-America teams

What is the AFCA?

The American Football Coaches Association is the professional association of football coaches — founded in 1922, headquartered in Waco, Texas, with more than 11,000 members from high school to the NFL.[1]

What does it do?

It awards the AFCA National Championship Trophy (the "Coaches' Trophy") through the coaches' poll tradition, names Coach of the Year at every level, selects the coaches' All-America teams — a lineage dating to the 1940s — and stages the annual AFCA Convention, the profession's national gathering.[1][2]

Why does it matter?

AFCA honors — All-America selections above all — are among the standard third-party credentials of the college game, issued by the sport's own professional body.[1][2]

References

  1. AFCA — official site. Accessed August 2026.
  2. AFCA — Awards & All-America. Accessed August 2026.