Courtesy of Virginia Union Sports Information:
Virginia Union University’s Mike Morita has been named the National Assistant Coach of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association, the AFCA announced on Wednesday, December 1.
Morita has been a college coach for 22 years, the last five at Virginia Union … Guided the Panthers’ offense to No. 3 in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association in total offense at 362 yards per game, 4th in rushing offense (153.7 ypg) and third in passing (208.3 ypg) … Been a member of the AFCA for 20 years and is a member of the Minority Issues Committee … Works with members of the football team who are academically at-risk, helping them all raise their grade point averages from one semester to the next … Organizes and participates in field day activities at Miles Jones Elementary School … Participated in a Big Brother program at Westover Hills Elementary School, pairing student-athletes with elementary students … Assists Richmond Public Schools with moving food for school lunches … Volunteers with Home Team Foundation to work events such as Teachers Appreciation Week, Read-a-Thon, Lunch Buddy Program and Welcome Back to School Day.
One assistant coach from the five divisions of college football has been selected for their dedication to their teams and communities. A total of 50 nominees from Football Bowl Subdivision, Football Championship Subdivision, Division II, Division III and NAIA were nominated in 2021.
Each year, staff representatives from NCAA and NAIA football-playing schools are asked to nominate an assistant for consideration. From those nominations, the winners are selected by the AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year Committee.
“Once again, five outstanding assistant coaches have been selected for their dedication, not only to their teams, but to their communities,” said AFCA Executive Director Todd Berry. “Oftentimes, the head coach receives much of the credit for his team’s success, but any head coach is only as good as his assistants. Much of an assistant coach’s work is done behind the scenes. It is our pleasure to bring it to the forefront.”
The criterion for the award is not limited to on-field coaching ability or the success of the team and the players whom these assistant coaches work with. Service to the community through charitable work and other volunteer activities, participation in AFCA activities and events, participation in other professional organizations and impact on student-athletes are all considered in the selection process.
Winners of the Assistant Coach of the Year Award will receive a plaque to commemorate their recognition. They will be honored at the AFCA Honors Luncheon, held Monday, January 10, during the 2022 AFCA Convention in San Antonio, Texas.
