2021 NCAA Division III football season explained

Type:	NCAA Division III
Year:	2021
Number Of Teams:	239
Preseason Ap:	Mary Hardin–Baylor
Championship:	Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium Canton, OH December 17, 2021
Champion:	Mary Hardin–Baylor
Gagliardi:	Blaine Hawkins (QB),

The 2021 NCAA Division III football season was the component of the 2021 college football season organized by the NCAA at the Division III level in the United States. The regular season began on September 4 and ended on November 13.

The season's playoffs were played between November 20 and December 17, and culminated in the national championship, also known as the Stagg Bowl, at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. The Mary Hardin–Baylor Crusaders beat the in the title game, 57–24.

Conference changes and new programs

Membership changes

Team	Former conference	New conference
		College closed
		NCAA Division II independent
		Upper Midwest
		North Star (NAIA)
	Returning program, last competed 1947	ECFC
		Sooner (NAIA)
		Minnesota
		Suspended program
		Dropped program
		NACC
		Minnesota
		Pioneer (NCAA Division I FCS)
		College acquired by Delaware State

Postseason

Qualification

See also: List of NCAA Division III Football Championship appearances by team.

Automatic bids (27)

Conference	Team	data-sort-type="number"	Appearance	Last
		17th	2019
		22nd	2019
		10th	2019
		13th	2019
		3rd	2013
		1st	—
		10th	2015
		2nd	2016
		7th	2018
		6th	2019
		12th	2015
		10th	2019
		2nd	2002
		27th	2019
		7th	2017
		12th	2019
		3rd	2010
		6th	2019
		16th	2019
		32nd	2019
		6th	2017
		7th	2006
		13th	2011
		10th	2019
		1st	—
		6th	2019
		18th	2019

At-large bids (5)

Team	Conference	data-sort-type="number"	Appearance	Last
	MIAC	10th	2018
	SAA	1st	—
	Centennial	11th	2018
	CCIW	12th	2019
	WIAC	12th	2006

Bracket

Coaching changes

This list includes all head coaching changes announced during or after the season.

School	Outgoing coach	Date	Reason	Replacement	Previous position
Carnegie Mellon	Rich Lackner	Before November 2022 (effective at season end)	Retired	Ryan Larsen^[1]	Columbia quarterbacks coach (2019–2021)
Christopher Newport	Art Link	November 7, 2021	Fired^[2]	Paul Crowley^[3]	Christopher Newport offensive line coach (2019–2021)
Merchant Marine	Mike Toop	November 10, 2021	Retired^[4]	Jameson Croall^[5]	Merchant Marine offensive coordinator and offensive line coach (2012–2021)
Luther	Caleb Padilla	November 15, 2021	Fired^[6]	Joe Troche^[7]	St. Olaf special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach (2019–2021)
Wittenberg	Joe Fincham	November 18, 2021	Retired^[8]	Jim Collins^[9]	Dayton offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach (2020–2021)
Wisconsin–Platteville	Mike Mendorfer	November 22, 2021	Retired^[10]	Ryan Munz^[11]	Wisconsin–Platteville offensive coordinator (2007–2021)
Dean	Steve Tirrell	November 23, 2021	Resigned^[12]	Andrae Murphy^[13]	Columbia defensive backs coach (2018–2021)
Millikin	Dan Gritti	November 29, 2021	Resigned^[14]	Carlton Hall^[15]	Millikin defensive coordinator (2020–2021)
Wisconsin–Oshkosh	Pat Cerroni	November 30, 2021	Retired^[16]	Peter Jennings^[17]	Wisconsin–Whitewater offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach (2018–2021)
Sul Ross	John Pearce	December 1, 2021	Resigned^[18]	Barry Derickson^[19]	Sul Ross offensive coordinator (2021)
Kenyon	James Rosenbury	December 3, 2021	Resigned^[20]	Ian Good^[21]	Kenyon defensive coordinator and linebackers coach (2019–2021)
Waynesburg	Chris Smithley	December 7, 2021	Moved to administrative position^[22]	Cornelius Coleman^[23]	Duquesne defensive line coach (2020–2021)
Rockford	J. T. Zimmerman	December 9, 2021	Resigned^[24]	Calvin Toliver^[25]	Rockford offensive coordinator (2021)
Franklin & Marshall	John Troxell	December 14, 2021	Hired as head coach for Lafayette^[26]	Tom Blumenauer^[27]	Williams offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach (2021)
Wisconsin–Stevens Point	Greg Breitbach	December 30, 2021	Resigned^[28]	Luke Venne^[29]	Wisconsin–Oshkosh offensive coordinator (2017–2021)
Albright	John Marzka	December 2021	Resigned	Isaac Collins^[30]	Bucknell defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach (2021)
Thiel	Mike Winslow	December 2021	Fired	Sam Bauman^[31]	Wooster defensive coordinator and linebackers coach (2015–2021)
Mary Hardin–Baylor	Pete Fredenburg	January 7, 2022	Retired^[32]	Larry Harmon^[33]	Mary Hardin–Baylor defensive coordinator (2002–2021)
Idaho State	Christian Ozolins (interim head coach)	January 21, 2022	Permanent replacement hired	Lazarus Morgan^[34]	Cortland defensive coordinator and safeties coach (2020–2021)
Ithaca	Dan Swanstrom	January 24, 2022	Hired as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for Penn^[35]	Michael Toerper^[36]	Holy Cross safeties coach (2020–2021)
Chicago	Chris Wilkerson	January 25, 2022	Hired as head coach by Eastern Illinois^[37]	Todd Gilcrist Jr.^[38]	Holy Cross wide receivers coach (2019–2021)
North Central (IL)	Jeff Thorne	January 26, 2022	Hired as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for Western Michigan^[39]	Brad Spencer^[40]	North Central (IL) offensive coordinator (2015–2021)
FDU–Florham	Jimmy Robertson	January 27, 2022	Hired as quarterbacks coach for Monmouth^[41]	Anthony Van Curen^[42]	FDU–Florham defensive coordinator (2019–2021)
Bethany (WV)	Bill Garvey	January 28, 2022	Fired^[43]	Brandon Robinson^[44]	Baldwin Wallace offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach (2020–2021)
Anna Maria	Dan Mulrooney	January 31, 2022	Hired as the head coach for Lock Haven^[45]	Steve Croce^[46]	Anna Maria offensive coordinator and running backs coach (2019–2021)
Alvernia	Ralph Clark	Before January 2022	Fired	Steve Azzanesi^[47]	Delaware State offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach (2020–2021)
Lewis & Clark	Jay Locey	February 4, 2022	Retired^[48]	Joe Bushman^[49]	Lewis & Clark offensive coordinator (2019–2021)
Bates	Ed Argast (interim)	February 8, 2022	Permanent replacement hired	Matt Coyne^[50]	Wesleyan defensive coordinator, special teams coordinator, and linebackers coach (2021)
John Carroll	Rick Finotti	March 14, 2022	Resigned^[51]	Drew Nystrom (full season interim)	John Carroll offensive coordinator and offensive line coach (2020–2021)
Macalester	KiJuan Ware (interim)	March 18, 2022	Permanent replacement hired	Phil Nicolaides^[52]	Randolph–Macon defensive coordinator (2016–2021)
Martin Luther	Mark Stein	Before April 25, 2022	Hired as athletic director for Fox Valley Lutheran HS (WI)^[53]	Paul Huebner^[54]	Shoreland Lutheran HS (WI) head coach (2011–2021)
Curry	Skip Bandini	Before April 2022	Retired	Todd Parsons^[55]	Endicott assistant head coach and offensive coordinator (2020–2021)
William Paterson	Dustin Johnson	Before May 2022	Hired as cornerbacks coach for Villanova	Shaun Williams^[56]	William Paterson defensive coordinator and safeties coach (2013–2021)

See also

• 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season
• 2021 NCAA Division I FCS football season
• 2021 NCAA Division II football season
• 2021 NAIA football season
• 2021 U Sports football season

Notes and References

1. Web site: February 3, 2022 . Ryan Larsen Named Head Football Coach at Carnegie Mellon University . June 16, 2024 . Carnegie Mellon University.
2. Web site: Smith . Brian . November 7, 2021 . CNU announces Link fired as head football coach . June 15, 2024 . 13 News Now.
3. Web site: December 8, 2021 . Christopher Newport University Names Paul Crowley Head Football Coach . June 15, 2024 . NJAC.
4. Web site: Barnett . Zach . November 10, 2021 . US Merchant Marine Academy head coach announces retirement . June 15, 2024 . Footballscoop.
5. Web site: August 8, 2022 . Croall Officially Named USMMA Football’s Next Head Coach . June 15, 2024 . United States Merchant Marine Academy.
6. Web site: November 15, 2021 . Luther College has fired its head football coach . June 15, 2024 . Decorah News.
7. News: December 15, 2021 . Troche named Luther coach . June 15, 2024 . The Gazette . P1.
8. Web site: November 18, 2021 . Longtime Tiger Football Leader Announces Retirement . June 16, 2024 . Wittenberg University.
9. Web site: November 23, 2021 . Wittenberg Names New Head Football Coach . June 16, 2024 . Wittenberg University.
10. Web site: November 22, 2021 . Emendorfer retires as UW-Platteville head coach after 23 years . June 16, 2024 . WXOW.
11. Web site: Iglesias . Pablo . February 7, 202 . UW-Platteville names Ryan Munz as new head football coach . June 15, 2024 . WKOW.
12. Web site: November 23, 2021 . Football Head Coach Steve Tirrell Steps Down . June 15, 2024 . Dean College.
13. Web site: January 21, 2022 . Alumnus returns as Dean head coach . June 15, 2024 . D3football.
14. Web site: Marshall . Bryan . November 29, 2021 . Millikin Searching for new Head Football Coach . June 15, 2024 . Millikin University Athletics.
15. Web site: Marshall . Bryan . December 9, 2021 . Hall Named Millikin University Head Football Coach . June 15, 2024 . Millikin University Athletics.
16. Web site: November 30, 2021 . UWO's Cerroni retires after 15 seasons as Titans head football coach . June 16, 2024 . UW Oshkosh Today.
17. Web site: March 1, 2022 . UW Oshkosh names Peter Jennings head football coach . June 15, 2024 . UW Oshkosh Today.
18. Web site: Barnett . Zach . November 30, 2021 . John Pearce resigns at Sul Ross State . June 15, 2024 . Footballscoop.
19. Web site: Esparza . Betse . 2023-07-11 . SRSU's Barry Derickson named to Dave Campbell's Top 40 list . 2024-01-17 . SUL ROSS . en-US.
20. Web site: December 3, 2021 . Rosenbury resigns as Lords football coach . June 16, 2024 . Kenyon College Athletics.
21. Web site: December 27, 2021 . Ian Good moves into head coach role for Kenyon football . June 16, 2024 . Mount Vernon News.
22. Web site: December 7, 2021 . Chris Smithley moving to new position at Waynesburg University . June 16, 2024 . Waynesburg University.
23. Web site: December 7, 2021 . Dr. Cornelius Coleman named head football coach . June 16, 2024 . Waynesburg University Athletics.
24. Web site: Taft . Jay . December 9, 2021 . Rockford University quickly changes coaches as WR Joey Owens named to All-Region list . June 16, 2024 . Rockford Register Star.
25. Web site: Tilka . Michael . December 9, 2021 . Rockford University picks Offensive Coordinator Calvin Toliver as new Head Coach . June 16, 2024 . 23WIFR.
26. Web site: December 14, 2021 . Troxell Stepping Down as F&M Football Coach . June 15, 2024 . Franklin & Marshall College.
27. Web site: Barnett . Zach . 2022-02-16 . Franklin & Marshall selects new head coach . 2024-01-24 . Footballscoop.
28. Web site: December 20, 2023 . UWSP Football Head Coach Greg Breitbach Steps Down . June 15, 2024 . University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point Athletics.
29. Web site: Link . Jacob . April 27, 2022 . Venne becomes head coach at UWSP . June 16, 2024 . The Advance-Titan.
30. Web site: February 11, 2022 . Albright Names Isaac Collins as Next Head Football Coach . June 15, 2024 . Albright College Athletics.
31. Web site: February 23, 2022 . Bauman named Thiel College head football coach . June 16, 2024 . Thiel College.
32. Web site: Craven . Mike . January 8, 2022 . Pete Fredenburg retires; Mary Hardin-Baylor promotes Larry Harmon to head coach . June 15, 2024 . Dave Campbell's Texas Football.
33. Web site: Drennan . Eric . January 8, 2022 . Longtime DC Larry Harmon takes over Cru football program . June 15, 2024 . The Killeen Daily Herald.
34. Web site: January 21, 2022 . Lazarus Morgan named Football Head Coach . June 15, 2024 . Buffalo State University Athletics.
35. Web site: January 24, 2022 . Head Football Coach Dan Swanstrom Departs for Penn . June 15, 2024 . Ithaca College Athletics.
36. Web site: Charde . Aidan . Mumau . Tommy . February 20, 2022 . Former IC defensive coordinator named new head coach of football program . June 15, 2024 . The Ithacan.
37. Web site: Beherns . Bret . January 26, 2022 . Chris Wilkerson named new Eastern Illinois football coach . June 15, 2024 . WCIA.
38. Web site: April 7, 2022 . Todd Gilcrist Jr. Named UChicago Head Football Coach . June 15, 2024 . The University of Chicago.
39. Web site: Nothaft . Patrick . January 31, 2022 . WMU football names Jeff Thorne, father of Michigan State QB, new offensive coordinator . June 15, 2024 . mlive.
40. Web site: January 26, 2022 . Brad Spencer '04 Named Head Football Coach . June 15, 2024 . North Central College Athletics.
41. Web site: January 27, 2022 . Jimmy Roberston Added To Football Staff . June 15, 2024 . Monmouth University Athletics.
42. Web site: April 4, 2022 . Anthony Van Curen Named Head Football Coach at FDU-Florham . June 15, 2024 . Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus Athletics.
43. Web site: Samuels . Doug . January 28, 2021 . The Scoop - Friday January 28, 2022 . June 16, 2024 . Footballscoop.
44. Web site: February 15, 2022 . Bethany Introduces Brandon Robinson as Football Coach . June 15, 2024 . Bethany College.
45. Web site: January 31, 2022 . LHU names Dan Mulrooney new head football coach . June 15, 2024 . Lock Haven University Athletics.
46. Web site: January 31, 2022 . Steve Croce Named AMCAT Head Football Coach . June 15, 2024 . Anna Maria.
47. Web site: Walter . Andy . January 24, 2022 . Former Wesley coach Azzanesi hired as Alvernia head coach . June 15, 2024 . Daily State News.
48. Web site: February 4, 2022 . Head Football Coach Jay Locey Retires . June 16, 2024 . Lewis & Clark.
49. Web site: Danzer . Paul . May 9, 2022 . Joe Bushman plans to build on football momentum at Lewis & Clark . June 15, 2024 . PortlandTribune.com.
50. Web site: February 8, 2024 . Matt Coyne named head football coach at Bates . June 15, 2024 . Bates College.
51. Web site: March 14, 2022 . Rick Finotti Steps Down as Head Football Coach; Drew Nystrom Named Interim Coach . June 16, 2024 . John Carroll University Athletics.
52. Web site: Denehy . Lily . April 28, 2022 . Phil Nicolaides brings compassion, vulnerability to football program . June 15, 2024 . The Mac Weekly.
53. Web site: April 25, 2022 . New coach at Martin Luther . June 16, 2024 . D3football.
54. Web site: April 26, 2022 . Paul Huebner is New MLC Head Football Coach . June 16, 2024 . Martin Luther College Athletics.
55. Web site: April 7, 2022 . Curry College Names Todd Parsons Head Football Coach . June 15, 2024 . Curry Athletics.
56. Web site: June 13, 2022 . Former New York Giant Shaun Williams Elevated to Head Coach of William Paterson’s Football Program . June 16, 2024 . William Paterson University Athletics.