IRVING, Texas (Jan. 12, 2026) – During the 2026 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Annual Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, the National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame presented the NFF divisional national championship trophies to the coaches of the 2025 winning teams on Jan. 11.
 
"Presenting the NFF divisional national championship trophies at the AFCA Convention is a meaningful tradition that highlights the exceptional leadership and commitment required to guide a team to a national title," said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. "A championship at any level represents countless hours of preparation, unwavering focus, and a profound dedication to student-athletes. Honoring these coaches in front of their peers, those who truly understand the demands of the profession, makes the moment especially powerful. We are honored to uphold this tradition in partnership with AFCA Executive Director Craig Bohl and to celebrate the coaches who have reached the highest level of achievement in our game."
 
NCAA Football Championship Subdivision - John F. Kennedy Trophy
Montana State University – Head Coach Brent Vigen
Head Coach Brent Vigen guided Montana State (14-2) to its first FCS National Championship in 41 years with a dramatic 35-34 walk-off overtime victory over Illinois State (12-5) on Jan. 5 at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. Quarterback Justin Lamson was named the game's Most Outstanding Player after completing 18 of 27 passes for 280 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for two more scores. Taco Dowler delivered a season-defining performance, catching eight passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns, including the 14-yard game-winning score in overtime. Kicker Myles Sansted sealed the win by converting the extra point after Montana State blocked Illinois State's PAT on the opening possession of overtime. The victory capped a historic 14-2 season for the Bobcats, who finished a perfect 8-0 in Big Sky Conference play and won their final 14 games to bring the national championship trophy back to Bozeman for the second time and the first since 1984.
 
NCAA Division II - Asa S. Bushnell Trophy
Ferris State University (MI) – Head Coach Tony Annese
Head coach Tony Annese led Ferris State (16-0) to a convincing 42-21 victory over Harding [AR] (15-1) in the NCAA Division II National Championship on Dec. 20 at McKinney ISD Stadium in McKinney, Texas. The victory secured back-to-back national championships for the Bulldogs and their fourth national title overall, all achieved within the past five years under Coach Annese. Ferris State became the first NCAA Division I or II team in the modern era to finish a season with a perfect 16-0 record, while also setting the all-time D-I/D-II scoring record with 844 points on the year. Quarterback Wyatt Bower paced the Bulldogs by completing 10 of 16 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 38 yards and three additional scores. Ferris State dominated on the ground with 363 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns, capitalizing on two Harding fumbles. Defensively, Isiah Byars led the Bulldogs with 11 total tackles as Ferris State extended its winning streak to 30 consecutive games.
 
NCAA Division III - Amos Alonzo Stagg Trophy
University of Wisconsin–River Falls – Head Coach Matt Walker
Head Coach Matt Walker steered UW–River Falls (14-1) to its first NCAA Division III National Championship with a 24-14 victory over defending champion and top-ranked North Central [IL] (14-1) in the Stagg Bowl on Jan. 4 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. The Falcons snapped North Central's 29-game winning streak by outscoring the Cardinals 21-0 after halftime and holding them scoreless over the final 30 minutes. Quarterback Kaleb Blaha delivered a historic performance, accounting for 419 total yards and three touchdowns while setting the NCAA all-divisions single-season record for total yards with 6,189, surpassing the previous mark held by Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow. The Falcon defense was instrumental, as Gage Timm forced a fumble and recorded two sacks, while Jack Olson and Taylor Sussner each intercepted passes and helped stop multiple fourth-down attempts.
 
NAIA - Dwight D. Eisenhower Trophy
Grand View University (IA) – Head Coach E.J. Peterson
Head Coach E.J. Peterson guided Grand View (14-0) to the 2025 NAIA National Championship with a 22-16 victory over Keiser [FL] (12-1) on Dec. 20 at Crowley ISD Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. The Vikings secured the program's third national title in a tightly contested, four-quarter battle. It marked Peterson's first season as head coach after contributing to Grand View's national championships in 2024 as the defensive coordinator and in 2013 as the linebackers coach. Running back Dalten Van Pelt was named the game's Offensive Player of the Game after rushing for 144 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries, highlighted by an 80-yard score just before halftime. Quarterback Jackson Waring, a 2025 NFF Campbell Trophy Finalist, connected with Corey Phillips on a 40-yard touchdown pass that proved to be the game-winner. Defensively, Jackson Filer earned Defensive Player of the Game honors as the Vikings held off a last-second onside kick recovery and denied Keiser on the final play to seal the championship.
 
The NFF will formally present the MacArthur Bowl, the organization's national championship trophy for the Football Bowl Subdivision, to the winner of the College Football Playoff National Championship, which will be played on Jan. 19 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, between No. 1 Indiana (15-0) and No. 10 Miami [FL] (13-2).
  Clockwise from upper left: Montana State, Ferris State (MI), Wisconsin-River Falls, and Grand View (IA).