American Football Coaches Association The American Football Coaches Association is an association of over 11 , 000 football coaches and staff on all levels . According to its constitution , some of the main goals of the American Football Coaches Association are to " maintain the highest possible standards in football and the profession of coaching football , " and to " provide a forum for the discussion and study of all matters pertaining to football and coaching . " The AFCA , along with USA Today , is responsible for the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision Coaches Poll that determines the national champion each year . The AFCA is also responsible for the Top 25 poll for Division II and Division III football . The AFCA was founded in a meeting for 43 coaches at the Hotel Astor in New York City on Dec . 27 , 1921 . It is headquartered in Waco , Texas ( the headquarters building is located across from Baylor University , formerly coached by AFCA executive director Grant Teaff ) . The Association has over 10 , 000 members and represents coaches at all levels including the National Collegiate Athletic Association , the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics , the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics , the National Junior College Athletic Association , the National Federation of State High School Associations , the National Football League , the Canadian Football League , USA Football , the National Football Foundation , College Football Hall of Fame , and Pop Warner Football . The AFCA is considered the primary professional association for football coaches at all levels of competition . Another primary goal of the American Football Coaches Association is the promotion of safety . The Association has established a code of ethics and has made many safety recommendations . An annual injury survey begun by the AFCA in the 1930s has provided valuable data and has led to a remarkable reduction of injuries in the sport down through the years . The NCAA Rules Committee often follows recommendations made by the AFCA . All - American Teams . Since 1945 , the American Football Coaches Association has selected an All - American team . It is the only one selected exclusively by the coaches themselves . AFCA National Championship Trophy . The AFCA National Championship Trophy is the trophy awarded by the American Football Coaches Association ( AFCA ) to the winner of college football ' s BCS National Championship Game , which determines the national champion for purposes of the Coaches Poll . The trophy has been awarded since 1986 . Amos Alonzo Stagg Award . Since 1940 , the AFCA has awarded the annual Amos Alonzo Stagg Award to the " individual , group or institution whose services have been outstanding in the advancement of the best interests of football . " Tuss McLaughry Award . The Tuss McLaughry Award , established in 1964 , is given to a distinguished American ( or Americans ) for the highest distinction in service to others . It is named in honor of DeOrmond " Tuss " McLaughry , the first full - time secretary - treasurer of the AFCA and one of the most dedicated and influential members in the history of the Association . Tuss McLaughry , the award ' s namesake , began his coaching career at his alma mater , Westminster ( Pa . ) College in 1916 . During his early days in coaching , McLaughry spent his spare time playing pro football with the Massillon ( Ohio ) Tigers . Knute Rockne was a teammate . He went on to become head coach at Amherst ( 1922 – 25 ) , Brown ( 1926 – 40 ) , and Dartmouth ( 1941 – 55 ) . McLaughry retired from coaching in 1954 , but continued in his capacity as chairman of the Physical Education Department at Dartmouth until 1960 , when he accepted the appointment with the AFCA . He retired from that position in 1965 . Presidents . Maj . Charles Daly of the U . S . Military Academy was the first president of the American Football Coaches Association . He was followed by John Heisman . Other presidents have included Bear Bryant , Darrell Royal , Eddie Robinson , Charles McClendon , Bo Schembechler and Vince Dooley .