NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -  Christopher Newport University Head Football Coach Paul Crowley was named the Willard Bailey Coach of the Year on Wednesday by the Touchdown Club of Richmond. The honor is presented annually to the top small college coach in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Crowley and the Captains won all ten regular-season games this season, the first perfect year in the 25-year history of the CNU program. 

Crowley completed his fourth season leading the Captains this year, and has compiled an overall record of 31-11 (.738) and 22-3 (.880) in New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) play. His team set a new school record for wins in a season with ten, points scored in a season, and longest winning streak in program history, 15, dating back to last season.

"This is truly a wonderful honor," Crowley said. "So much of the credit goes to my amazing staff. I have been fortunate to have a group of talented coaches that has stayed together and worked tirelessly over the last four years. They're such a big part of our success." 

Crowley, who graduated from CNU in 2009, was named the NJAC's Coach of the Year this year for the third time in four seasons at the helm. He led Christopher Newport to its second NJAC title, as well as the second in the last three years. Crowley led CNU back to the NCAA Tournament this year for the second time, and in 2023 guided CNU to the tourney for the first time since 2014. His squad that year captured the first-ever NJAC title for the Captains since CNU joined the league in 2015.

"I also can't say enough good things about our senior class of student-athletes this year," Crowley continued. "They have provided great leadership and I think that's what really set our team apart from others this season. The group really bought in from the start on what we were trying to accomplish, and the result is evident in our success."

Former Christopher Newport Head Coach Matt Kelchner was also honored by the Touchdown Club of Richmond in 2016 when he received the Tate Memorial Award.

The Touchdown Club of Richmond is a sports-social organization, based in Richmond, Virginia. The club promotes the best interests of the American game of football and sports in general, with the predominate purpose being to recognize worthy athletes and coaches for their accomplishments. The club's membership compiles a ballot from all the football playing colleges and universities in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The ballot is then distributed to the club's membership for voting to determine the annual award winners.