MINNEAPOLIS --- Chris Winter was named the D3football.com National Coach of the Year, the organization announced early Saturday morning. This marks the first national coaching award in program history.

Winter is in his second season as the head coach of the Wartburg football program. The Knights finished the 2022 season with a school-record 13 wins, completed the regular season undefeated, won the American Rivers Conference Championship, and advanced to the Semifinals of the NCAA Playoffs.

Prior to being named the head coach, he was the defensive coordinator since 2011, was promoted to assistant head coach in 2013, and has served as the head strength and conditioning coordinator since 2008.

A 2004 Wartburg graduate, Winter was a four-year member of the football and baseball teams and 2017 Wartburg Athletics Hall of Fame inductee.