NORTHBROOK, ILL. – Veteran football head coach and mentor for West Chester University's gridiron gang,
Bill Zwaan Sr., has been nominated as the honorary coach of the 2023 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team it was announced by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Tuesday morning.
Zwaan is one of 20 head coaches at all levels of the NCAA to be nominated. The final 22-member team and honorary coach are selected by a voting panel of former Allstate AFCA Good Works Team members, current and former head coaches and journalists. They look for exceptional leadership on and off the football field. A grand total of 136 football players across all divisions of college football have been nominated for that 22-member squad.
Throughout his 25-year head coaching career, Zwaan has been the catalyst for the Promise Program at West Chester University, donated his time to the Autism Awareness Programs in the Philadelphia area, helped spearhead the "Be The Match" bone marrow program headlined by former Villanova head coach Andy Talley, gotten involved with the Thanksgiving Dinner Project through the Neuman Center on WCU's campus, partnered with the Intellectually Disabled Students Internship Program supported through the Ram Initiative Program and worked with the Travis Manion Foundation Heroes Run … and that is just the tip of the iceberg for Zwaan's community engagement over his two-and-a-half decades in the coaching profession.
Zwaan, Division II's winningest active head coach with over 200 career wins to his credit, is the first representative from West Chester University to be nominated for the Good Works Team since All-America offensive lineman Doug Gilbert in July 2016.
For the past six years, Zwaan and his family have run a Christmas holiday program to help WCU's homeless students. It started with 12 students the first year (2017) and has now grown to over 50 students this past Christmas. Each holiday season, the Zwaan's get the university and the local community involved and have been able to give homeless students close to $100,000 worth of gifts, gift cards and holiday dinners. His family has also established a fund to help those students throughout the year. That fund is called the Promise Program.
West Chester's football team, and Coach Zwaan, have been very involved with the Autism Awareness Program locally. Initially, it started with the Philadelphia Autism Walk for six years, which raised money and awareness about autism. Four years ago, Zwaan started doing an "Autism Run for a Touchdown" at West Chester's annual spring football game. He collaborated with the Autism Program at WCU to have an autistic student sing the national anthem. Then, he has a couple of autistic children run for a touchdown at halftime with the football team cheering them on. It has grown into an outstanding tradition at WCU spring games.
Zwaan teamed up with former Villanova football head coach, Andy Talley, and his "Be The Match" bone marrow program – a tradition that continues despite Talley's retirement from coaching. Zwaan helps run the initiative to collect names for the registry and get on the donor list. Zwaan and West Chester University have been involved from the very beginning (approximately 14 years), and have had numerous students and athletes donate their marrow through the program. Four have been deemed a match with one going through the process and eventually saving the life of another individual.
Zwaan and his team collaborated with WCU's Ram Initiative Program, which handles intellectually disabled students with their internship program. Two individuals have interned with the football program for the past two years. Two other students with Downs Syndrome have also helped out the Golden Rams' football program in the past.
Each year, with the help of the Travis Manion Foundation, West Chester's football team assists with that organization's 9/11 Heroes Run. Additionally, for many years now, West Chester's football team has also been involved with the Neuman Center on campus to collect food for Thanksgiving dinner for disadvantaged families in the West Chester, Pa., area.
As if that wasn't enough to keep Zwaan occupied in the fall, he has carved out one of the most successful coaching careers in Division II and III. The 25-year college football mentor is one of only a handful of college coaches to lead a school to the NCAA Tournament semifinals at both the Division II and III levels, having guided West Chester to the Division II semifinals in both 2004 and 2013, and Widener University to the Division III semifinals in 2000.
Zwaan has won six Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Eastern Division titles (2004, 2007, 2008, 2015, 2017 and 2018) and in 2018 added an outright PSAC Championship crown to his resume. Additionally, he has copped PSAC East Coach of the Year plaudits five times and guided the Golden Rams to the NCAA Division II playoffs a school-record 10 times while steering the institution to the national semifinals twice (2004 and 2013).
In 20 competitive years on West Chester's sideline, Zwaan has masterminded a 157-71 (.689) record. He sports an overall record of 211-85 (.713) in 25 seasons of play.
Additionally, Zwaan's 25 years of service as a head coach is sixth across the nation in Division II in terms of longevity. His .689 career winning percentage ranks 17th among active head coaches across all divisions. West Chester has never suffered a losing season in conference play under Zwaan's tutelage either, authoring a 100-28 (.781) mark against the rest of the PSAC Eastern Division since 2003.
Established in 1992, the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team is one of the most coveted community service awards in college football. From the 136 nominees. The final roster of 22 award recipients will bring together 11 players from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision, 11 players from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, Divisions II, III and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and one honorary head coach. To be considered for a spot on the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, each player must be actively involved with a charitable organization or service group while maintaining strong academic standing.
After the final team members are announced in September, fans can vote for this year's Allstate AFCA Good Works Team captain through the official page on
ESPN.com/allstate. Fans can join the conversation on social media with #GoodWorksTeam throughout the season.
The 22-member squad and honorary head coach will be recognized at halftime of the 90th Allstate Sugar Bowl in the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, La., on January 1, 2024. The Sugar Bowl will once again double as one of the BCS Playoff Semifinals as well.
In addition to former Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow and Troy Hawkes, executive vice president and general manager, Allstate Sales and Distribution, the 2023 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team selection panel members are: Zaid Abdul-Aleem (Duke, 1994 team); Matt Stinchcomb (Georgia, 1997, 1998); Brian Brenberg (St. Thomas, 2001); Mike Proman (Amherst, 2002); Wes Counts (Middle Tennessee State, 1999); media members Kirk Herbstreit (ESPN); Blair Kerkhoff (Kansas City Star); and Paul Myerberg (USA Today); 2023 AFCA President and Ouachita Baptist University Head Coach Todd Knight; and 2014 AFCA President and former head coach at Ithaca College, Mike Welch.
About the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®
The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team was established in 1992 by the College Football Association, recognizing the extra efforts made by college football players and student support staff off the field. AFCA became the governing body of the award in 1997 and continues to honor college football players who go the extra mile for those in need. Allstate worked to present the award starting with the 2008 season.
The SEC leads all conferences with 82 selections to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team since it began in 1992. The SEC is followed by the Atlantic Coast Conference with 52 selections and the Big 12 Conference and Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with 39 selections. Georgia is in first place with 22 honorees to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.
Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS)
| Name |
School |
| Elijah McAllister |
Auburn University |
| Cade Beresford |
Boise State University |
| Taji Johnson |
Boston College |
| Odieu Hiliare |
Bowling Green State University |
| Tyler Batty |
BYU |
| Robi Stuart |
Central Michigan University |
| Will Shipley |
Clemson University |
| Ja'Mion Franklin |
Duke University |
| Jeremy Lewis |
East Carolina University |
| Brian Dooley |
Eastern Michigan University |
| Jordan Travis |
Florida State University |
| Levelle Bailey |
Fresno State |
| LaMiles Brooks |
Georgia Tech |
| Khalil Benson |
Indiana University |
| Darien Porter |
Iowa State University |
| X'Zauvea Gadlin |
Liberty University |
| Mekhi Wingo |
LSU |
| Tre Mosley |
Michigan State University |
| Richard Kinley |
Middle Tennessee State University |
| Jett Johnson |
Mississippi State University |
| Joseph Shimko |
NC State University |
| Jaylen Pate |
Northwestern University |
| LaMareon James |
Old Dominion University |
| Akili Arnold |
Oregon State University |
| Dvon Ellies |
Penn State University |
| Chike Anigbogu |
Rice University |
| John Humphreys |
Stanford University |
| Garrett Shrader |
Syracuse University |
| Josh Newton |
TCU |
| Jalen McMurray |
Temple University |
| Max Wright |
Texas A&M University |
| Alonzo Edwards Jr. |
Texas State University |
| Tyler Shough |
Texas Tech University |
| Xavier McDonald |
U.S. Naval Academy |
| Max Michel |
University at Buffalo |
| Seth McLaughlin |
University of Alabama |
| Cam Little |
University of Arkansas |
| Matthew Cindric |
University of California |
| Jowon Briggs |
University of Cincinnati |
| Valentin Senn |
University of Connecticut |
| Devin Moore |
University of Florida |
| Ladd McConkey |
University of Georgia |
| Jack Freeman |
University of Houston |
| Isaiah Williams |
University of Illinois |
| Logan Lee |
University of Iowa |
| Mason Fairchild |
University of Kansas |
| Ashton Gillotte |
University of Louisville |
| Jacob Likes |
University of Memphis |
| Kamren Kinchens |
University of Miami (Fla.) |
| Blake Corum |
University of Michigan |
| Dragan Kesich |
University of Minnesota |
| JJ Pegues |
University of Mississippi |
| Darius Robinson |
University of Missouri |
| Ethan Piper |
University of Nebraska |
| Kaimon Rucker |
University of North Carolina |
| Jaden Mickey |
University of Notre Dame |
| Ethan Downs |
University of Oklahoma |
| Gavin Bartholomew |
University of Pittsburgh |
| Vershon Lee |
University of South Carolina |
| Justin Dedich |
University of Southern California |
| Jacob Warren |
University of Tennessee |
| Christian Jones |
University of Texas |
| De'Corian Clark |
University of Texas at San Antonio |
| Daniel Bolden |
University of Toledo |
| Chico Bennett |
University of Virginia |
| Edefuan Ulofoshio |
University of Washington |
| Alexander Smith |
University of Wisconsin |
| Jordyn Morgan |
UNLV |
| Jacob Garcia |
Utah State University |
| Matt Johnson |
Virginia Tech |
| Jaylen Hudson |
Wake Forest University |
| Zach Frazier |
West Virginia University |
| JaQues Evans |
Western Kentucky University |
Combined Divisions (FCS, D-II, D-III & NAIA)
| Name |
School |
| Trent Maddox |
Ashland University |
| Sam Howard |
Austin Peay State University |
| Loobert Denelus |
Benedict College |
| Reed Levi |
Benedictine College |
| Evan Ginter |
Bethel University (Minn.) |
| Justin Anagonye |
Brown University |
| Hajj-Malik Williams |
Campbell University |
| Ben Condemi |
Carnegie Mellon University |
| Hunter Peck |
Carroll College |
| Major Williams |
Carson-Newman University |
| Cameron Bannister |
Central College |
| Michael DeCamillis |
Chadron State College |
| Jake Stebbins |
Cornell University |
| Devonte Murphy |
Dakota State University |
| Josh Greene |
Dartmouth College |
| Malik McDaniel |
Davidson College |
| Ayden Garnes |
Duquesne University |
| Deshawn McCarthy |
East Stroudsburg University |
| Colton Hyble |
Grand Valley State University |
| Caleb Lueders |
Hamline University |
| Demarcus Coleman |
Hardin-Simmons University |
| Clayton Mosher |
Indiana Wesleyan University |
| Spencer Uggla |
Johns Hopkins University |
| Kolbe Benham |
Marist College |
| Malachi Lacadre Grey |
McMurry University |
| Dustin Shoaf |
Mercyhurst University |
| Tommy Mellot |
Montana State University |
| Lawrence Richardson |
Morgan State University |
| KJ Williams |
Morningside University |
| Juan Velarde |
North Carolina Central University |
| Myron Lewis |
North Central College |
| Braylon Henderson |
North Dakota State University |
| Drew Thornton |
Ohio Wesleyan University |
| Thomas Lidondici |
Pace University |
| Cole Nahlik |
Peru State College |
| Nasir Cook |
Princeton University |
| Jimmy Buck |
Saint John's University (Minn.) |
| Nick Blanchard |
Southern Nazarene University |
| Dante Vasquez |
Springfield College |
| Jaret Porterfield |
Stephen F. Austin State University |
| Lake Barrett |
The College of Wooster |
| Trey Brausch |
Thomas More University |
| Matthew Palazzo |
Tusculum University |
| David Walker |
University of Central Arkansas |
| Brock Gingrich |
University of Delaware |
| Mathias Bertram |
University of Idaho |
| Ted Mullin |
University of North Dakota |
| Mario Jacobs |
University of Redlands |
| Tristan Wheeler |
University of Richmond |
| Micah Roane |
University of South Dakota |
| Will Burke |
University of St. Thomas (Minn.) |
| Reuben Lowery III |
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga |
| Justin Blazek |
University of Wisconsin-Platteville |
| John Stroughn |
Utica University |
| Owen Grover |
Wartburg College |
| Noah Nicklin |
Wayne State University |
| JJ Ross, DB |
Western Illinois University |
| Brice Butler |
Westminster College (Pa.) |
| Charles Grant |
William & Mary |
| Trevor Grant |
Wingate University |
| Darrick McLean |
Winston-Salem State University |
| Oso Ifesinachukwu |
Yale University |
| Michael Voitus |
Youngstown State University |
Head Coach
| Name |
School |
| Jeff Monken |
Army West Point |
| Scotty Walden |
Austin Peay State University |
| Mike Clowney |
Carson-Newman University |
| Jim McElwain |
Central Michigan University |
| David Archer |
Cornell University |
| Jimmy Terwilliger |
East Stroudsburg University |
| Walt Wells |
Eastern Kentucky University |
| Chris Creighton |
Eastern Michigan University |
| Jesse Burleson |
Hardin-Simmons University |
| Keith Otterbein |
Hillsdale College |
| Dave Doeren |
NC State University |
| Ryan Day |
Ohio State University |
| Gary Fasching |
Saint John's University (Minn.) |
| Joey McGuire |
Texas Tech University |
| Jerheme Urban |
Trinity University |
| Jason Eck |
University of Idaho |
| Mike Locksley |
University of Maryland |
| Mario Cristobal |
University of Miami (Fla.) |
| Bill Zwaan |
West Chester University |
| Mike London |
William & Mary |
