Arizona Christian football coach Jeff Bowen receives Coach of Character Award from NAIA

Jeff Bowen, who led Arizona Christian University's football team to a 9-1 record and the Sooner Athletic Conference title last season, received the Coach of Character Award this week at the NAIA national convention in Kansas City.

This is the 18th annual award that goes to an NAIA head coach in any sport, who best exemplifies teaching character through sports.

Bowen left the high school coaching ranks in 2014 to help Donnie Yantis start ACU's NAIA football program. Two years later, the former Avondale Westview High head coach took over the football program, after Yantis was hired as an assistant coach at Arizona State.

"To be selected the NAIA Character Coach of the Year was a very humbling experience," Bowen said. "Within the football program at Arizona Christian University, we try to create an environment that allows our young men to not only excel on the football field, but also grow in their faith."

Len Munsil, president of ACU, said that Bowen's genuine love for his players, including tough love when needed, has made him a revered father figure to many of the former and current players.

"He combines a commitment to competitive excellence with a passion for what is best for these young men spiritually and academically when they are done playing football," Munsil said.

Bowen leans on his strong Christian faith every day, helping players get through life's difficult crossroads.

His overall record at ACU is 45-18 with conference championships in 2016 and 2020-21. Part of last season was played in the summer/fall of 2020 with the remainder of the season played in the spring of '21 due to the pandemic. In a season that started in August of 2020, that team ended up losing in the first round of the NAIA playoffs last April.

"The ultimate goal is to impact their communities for Christ," Bowen said. "Our staff works tirelessly to achieve this endeavor. It is a non-stop effort to use their four or five years at ACU to set them up for the next 50 years of their lives."

To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on Twitter @azc_obert.

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