L-R: Brent Vigen (Montana State), Matt Walker (Wisconsin–River Falls), Brian Rock (Ferris State [MI]).
The National Football Foundation expanded its championship tradition in the 1970s by introducing divisional national championship trophies, building on the legacy of the
MacArthur Bowl, which recognizes the top team in major college football. Today, the NFF's divisional championship trophies are awarded annually to the champions of the FCS, Division II, Division III, and NAIA playoffs. Presented each year at the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Convention, the awards allow the NFF to honor coaches who have reached the pinnacle of the profession in front of their peers who best understand the dedication and commitment required to achieve that success.
The trophies are:
- John F. Kennedy Trophy – NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (Originally Division I-AA )
- Asa S. Bushnell Trophy – NCAA Division II
- Amos Alonzo Stagg Trophy – NCAA Division III
- Dwight D. Eisenhower Trophy – NAIA
Note: The NCAA divided Division I football into two subdivisions in 1978, creating Division I-A and Division I-AA. These were later renamed in 2006 to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), respectively.
2025 Recipients
NCAA Football Championship Subdivision - John F. Kennedy Trophy
Montana State University – Head Coach Brent Vigen
NCAA Division II - Asa S. Bushnell Trophy
Ferris State University (MI) – Head Coach Tony Annese
NCAA Division III - Amos Alonzo Stagg Trophy
University of Wisconsin–River Falls – Head Coach Matt Walker
NAIA - Dwight D. Eisenhower Trophy
Grand View University (IA) – Head Coach E.J. Peterson
2024 Recipients
NCAA Football Championship Subdivision - John F. Kennedy Trophy
South Dakota State University - Coach Jimmy Rodgers
NCAA Division II - Asa S. Bushnell Trophy
Harding University (AR) – Coach Paul Simmons
NCAA Division III - Amos Alonzo Stagg Trophy
The State University of New York at Cortland - Coach Curt Fitzpatrick
NAIA - Dwight D. Eisenhower Trophy
Keiser University (FL) - Coach Doug Socha
2023 Recipients
NCAA Football Championship Subdivision - John F. Kennedy Trophy
South Dakota State University - Coach John Stiegelmeier
NCAA Division II - Asa S. Bushnell Trophy
Ferris State University (MI) – Coach Tony Annese
NCAA Division III - Amos Alonzo Stagg Trophy
North Central College (IL) - Coach Brad Spencer
NAIA - Dwight D. Eisenhower Trophy
Northwestern College (IA) - Coach Matt McCarty
2022 Recipients
NCAA Football Championship Subdivision - John F. Kennedy Trophy
North Dakota State University - Coach Matt Entz
NCAA Division II - Asa S. Bushnell Trophy
Ferris State University (MI) - Coach Tony Annese
NCAA Division III - Amos Alonzo Stagg Trophy
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (TX) - Coach Pete Fredenburg
NAIA - Dwight D. Eisenhower Trophy
Morningside University (IA) - Coach Steve Ryan
2021 (COVID) Recipients
NCAA Football Championship Subdivision - John F. Kennedy Trophy
Sam Houston State University - Coach K.C. Keeler
NAIA - Dwight D. Eisenhower Trophy
Lindsey Wilson College (KY) - Coach Chris Oliver
2020 Recipients
NCAA Football Championship Subdivision - John F. Kennedy Trophy
North Dakota State University - Coach Matt Entz
NCAA Division II - Asa S. Bushnell Trophy
West Florida- Coach Pete Shinnick
NCAA Division III - Amos Alonzo Stagg Trophy
North Central College (Ill.) - Coach Jeff Thorne
NAIA - Dwight D. Eisenhower Trophy
Morningside College (Iowa) - Coach Steve Ryan
2019 Recipients
NCAA Football Championship Subdivision - John F. Kennedy Trophy
North Dakota State University - Coach Chris Klieman
NCAA Division II - Asa S. Bushnell Trophy
Valdosta State University (Ga.)- Coach Kerwin Bell
NCAA Division III - Amos Alonzo Stagg Trophy
University of Mary Hardin–Baylor (Texas) - Coach Pete Fredenburg
NAIA - Dwight D. Eisenhower Trophy
Morningside College (Iowa) - Coach Steve Ryan
2018 Recipients
NCAA Football Championship Subdivision – John F. Kennedy Trophy
North Dakota State University – Coach Chris Klieman
NCAA Division II – Asa S. Bushnell Trophy
Texas A&M University-Commerce – Coach Colby Carthel
NCAA Division III – Amos Alonzo Stagg Trophy
University of Mount Union (Ohio) – Coach Vince Kehres
NAIA – Dwight D. Eisenhower Trophy
University of Saint Francis (Ind.) – Coach Kevin Donley
2017 Recipients
NCAA Football Championship Subdivision – John F. Kennedy Trophy
James Madison University – Mike Houston
NCAA Division II – Asa S. Bushnell Trophy
Northwest Missouri State University – Coach Adam Dorrel
NCAA Division III – Amos Alonzo Stagg Trophy
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (Texas) – Coach Pete Fredenburg
NAIA – Dwight D. Eisenhower Trophy
University of Saint Francis (Ind.) – Coach Kevin Donley
2016 Recipients
NCAA Football Championship Subdivision – John F. Kennedy Trophy
North Dakota State University – Coach Chris Klieman
NCAA Division II – Asa S. Bushnell Trophy
Northwest Missouri State University – Coach Adam Dorrel
NCAA Division III – Amos Alonzo Stagg Trophy
University of Mount Union (Ohio) – Coach Vince Kehres
NAIA – Dwight D. Eisenhower Trophy
Marian University (Ind.) – Coach Mark Henninger
2015 Recipients
NCAA Football Championship Subdivision – John F. Kennedy Trophy
North Dakota State University – Chris Klieman
NCAA Division II – Asa S. Bushnell Trophy
Colorado State University-Pueblo – Coach John Wristen
NCAA Division III – Amos Alonzo Stagg Trophy
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater – Coach Lance Leipold
NAIA – Dwight D. Eisenhower Trophy
Southern Oregon University – Coach Craig Howard
2014 Recipients
NCAA Football Championship Subdivision – John F. Kennedy Trophy
North Dakota State University – Craig Bohl
NCAA Division II – Asa S. Bushnell Trophy
Northwest Missouri State University – Coach Adam Dorrel
NCAA Division III – Amos Alonzo Stagg Trophy
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater – Coach Lance Leipold
NAIA – Dwight D. Eisenhower Trophy
Grand View (Iowa) University - Coach Mike Woodley
2013 Recipients
NCAA Football Championship Subdivision - John F. Kennedy Trophy
North Dakota State University - Craig Bohl
NCAA Division II - Asa S. Bushnell Trophy
Valdosta State (GA) University - Coach David Dean
NCAA Division III - Amos Alonzo Stagg Trophy
University of Mount Union (OH) - Coach Larry Kehres
NAIA - Dwight D. Eisenhower Trophy
Marian (IN) University - Coach Ted Karras, Jr.
2012 Recipients
NCAA Football Championship Subdivision - John F. Kennedy Trophy
North Dakota State University - Craig Bohl
NCAA Division II - Asa S. Bushnell Trophy
Pittsburg State (Kan.) University - Coach Tim Beck
NCAA Division III - Amos Alonzo Stagg Trophy
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater - Coach Lance Liepold
NAIA - Dwight D. Eisenhower Trophy
St. Xavier (Ill.) University - Coach Mike Feminis
2011 Recipients
NCAA Division I - Football Championship Subdivision - John F. Kennedy Trophy
Eastern Washington University - Coach Beau Baldwin
NCAA Division II - Asa S. Bushnell Trophy
University of Minnesota Duluth - Coach Bob Nielson
NCAA Div. III - Amos Alonzo Stagg Trophy
Univ. of Wisconsin-Whitewater - Coach Lance Leipold
NAIA - Dwight D. Eisenhower Trophy
Carroll College (Mont.) - Coach Mike Van Diest
2010 Recipients
NCAA Football Championship Subdivision - John F. Kennedy Trophy
Villanova University - Coach Andy Talley
NCAA Division II - Asa S. Bushnell Trophy
Northwest Missouri State University - Coach Mel Tjeerdsma
NCAA Div. III - Amos Alonzo Stagg Trophy
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater - Coach Lance Leipold
NAIA - Dwight D. Eisenhower Trophy
University of Sioux Falls (S.D.) - Coach Kalen DeBoer
2009 Recipients
NCAA Football Championship Subdivision: John F. Kennedy Trophy
University of Richmond - Coach Mike London
NCAA Division II: Asa S. Bushnell Trophy
University of Minnesota-Duluth - Coach Bob Nielson
NCAA Division III: Amos Alonzo Stagg Trophy
Mount Union College (Ohio) - Coach Larry Kehres
NAIA: Dwight D. Eisenhower Trophy
University of Sioux Falls (S.D.) - Coach Kalen DeBoer
2008 Recipients
NCAA Football Championship Subdivision – John F. Kennedy Trophy
Appalachian State (N.C.) – Coach Jerry Moore
NCAA Division II – Asa S. Bushnell Trophy
Valdosta State (Ga.) – Coach David Dean
NCAA Division III - Amos Alonzo Stagg Trophy
Wisconsin-Whitewater - Coach Lance Leipold
NAIA – Dwight D. Eisenhower Trophy
Carroll College (Mont.) – Coach Mike Van Diest
2007 Recipients
NCAA Football Championship Subdivision – John F. Kennedy Trophy
Appalachian State (N.C.) – Coach Jerry Moore
NCAA Division II – Asa S. Bushnell Trophy
Grand Valley State (Mich.) – Coach Chuck Martin
NCAA Division III - Amos Alonzo Stagg Trophy
Mount Union (Ohio) - Coach Larry Kehres
NAIA – Dwight D. Eisenhower Trophy
Sioux Falls (S.D.) – Coach Kalen DeBoer
2006 Recipients
NCAA Division I-AA – John F. Kennedy Trophy
Appalachian State (N.C.) – Coach Jerry Moore
NCAA Division II – Asa S. Bushnell Trophy
Grand Valley State (Mich.) – Coach Chuck Martin
NCAA Division III - Amos Alonzo Stagg Trophy
Mount Union (Ohio) - Coach Larry Kehres
NAIA – Dwight D. Eisenhower Trophy
Carroll College (Mont.) – Coach Mike Van Diest
2005 Recipients
NCAA Division I-AA – John F. Kennedy Trophy
James Madison University – Coach Mickey Matthews
NCAA Division II – Asa S. Bushnell Trophy
Valdosta State University – Coach Chris Hatcher
NCAA Division III - Amos Alonzo Stagg Trophy
Linfield College - Coach Jay Locey
NAIA – Dwight D. Eisenhower Trophy
Carroll College (Montana) – Coach Mike Van Diest
2004 Recipients
NCAA Division I-AA – John F. Kennedy Trophy
Delaware University – Coach K.C. Keeler
NCAA Division II – Asa S. Bushnell Trophy
Grand Valley State (Mich.) – Coach Brian Kelly
NCAA Division III - Amos Alonzo Stagg Trophy
St. John’s (Minn) University - Coach John Gagliardi
NAIA – Dwight D. Eisenhower Trophy
Carroll College (Montana) – Coach Mike Van Diest
2003 Recipients
NCAA Division I-AA - John F. Kennedy Trophy
Western Kentucky University - Coach Jack Harbaugh
NCAA Division II - Asa S. Bushnell Trophy
Grand Valley State University - Coach Brian Kelly
NCAA Division III - Amos Alonzo Stagg Trophy
Mount Union College - Coach Larry Kehres
NAIA - Dwight D. Eisenhower Trophy
Carroll College (Montana) - Coach Mike Van Diest
2002 Recipients
NCAA Division I-AA - John F. Kennedy Trophy
Montana - Coach Joe Glenn
NCAA Division II - Asa S. Bushnell Trophy
North Dakota - Coach Dale Lennon
NCAA Division III - Amos Alonzo Stagg Trophy
Mount Union College - Coach Larry Kehres
NAIA - Dwight D. Eisenhower Trophy
Georgetown (KY) - Coach Bill Cronin
2001 Recipients
NCAA Division I-AA - John F. Kennedy Trophy
Georgia Southern - Coach Paul Johnson
NCAA Division II - Asa S. Bushnell Trophy
Delta State- Coach Steve Campbell
NCAA Division III - Amos Alonzo Stagg Trophy
Mount Union College - Coach Larry Kehres
NAIA - Dwight D. Eisenhower Trophy
Georgetown (KY) - Coach Bill Cronin
1977 Recipients
