WACO, Texas - For the first time in Marian football program history, the Knights coaching staff has been honored by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) with the NAIA Assistant Coach of the Year, as defensive coordinator Justin Robinson was bestowed with the honor on Friday afternoon. 

One assistant coach from the five divisions of college football has been selected for their dedication to their teams and communities. A total of 98 nominees from Football Bowl Subdivision, Football Championship Subdivision, Division II, Division III, and NAIA were nominated in 2023. The Assistant Coach of the Year award was first presented in 1997 and was created to honor assistant coaches who excel in community service, commitment to the student-athlete, on-field coaching success and AFCA professional organization involvement.

Justin Robinson's honor as the AFCA NAIA Assistant Coach of the Year comes just three weeks after he was tabbed as the MSFA Mideast League Assistant Coach of the Year. Robinson, in his first season as the Marian University defensive coordinator, led a Marian defense that ranked in the top-15 in the NAIA in points per game, total yards per game, rushing yards per game, interceptions, fumble recoveries, and total turnovers forced. Robinson's swarming defense was the second-rated defense in the MSFA in points per game, leading the Mideast League in yards per game. 

Under Robinson's watch, the Knights earned four MSFA Mideast League First Team honors, with Nate Frey earning both the MSFA Defensive Player of the Year and NAIA First Team All-American honors. Robinson also coached two players to the MSFA Mideast League Second Team and two players to the MSFA Mideast League Honorable Mention team. The Knights defense also tied three single game records in 2023 under Robinson, with the team recording a single-game record five interceptions against St. Francis (Ind.), while Dwight Lewis III tied the single game interception record against the Cougars with his three picks. The Marian defense also tied the single-game sack record against Madonna with nine sacks, matching a mark previously done five other times.

The Knights went 9-2 in the 2023 season, earning MSFA Mideast League Co-Champion honors with their 6-1 league record.

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