San Diego, Calif. - USD head football coach Dale Lindsey has been named the 2014 Pioneer Football League Coach of the Year, it was announced by the PFL office today. In his second season as Toreros head coach, Lindsey led the program to its first appearance in the NCAA Division I Football Championship and was selected by his fellow coaches as the league's Coach of the Year. The Toreros recorded a 7-1 record to clinch their third PFL championship in the last four seasons, and finished with an overall record of 9-3. Four of USD's seven PFL victories came in the closing minutes of play.

"It's a nice honor and an award for the entire USD organization," said head coach Dale Lindsey. "I give all the credit to our coaching staff and players. Like I've said all along, they are the ones that win the games, not me."

Under Lindsey's guidance, who is also an Eddie Robinson Award candidate for FCS Coach of the Year, San Diego has posted a 17-5 regular-season record in the last two seasons. It is the fifth time a San Diego head coach has won the league's top coaching honor, which is now in its 22nd season. San Diego won the 2014 PFL regular-season title; it's third in the last four seasons and sixth all-time. Each of the Toreros titles have been won in the last 10 seasons.

Other recipients of the PFL Awards went to senior running back Connor Kacsor from Dayton (Offensive Player of the Year), sophomore safety Donald Payne from Stetson (Defensive Player of the Year), running back Jeffrey Keil from Davidson (Freshman Offensive Player of the Year) and defensive end Mack Marrin from Drake (Freshman Defensive Player of the Year).

In addition to these awards, the league will present it's first-ever Scholar-Athlete of the Year, Wednesday, coinciding with the announcement of the 2014 Academic All-PFL teams. The PFL will announce its 22nd All-PFL squads on Tuesday.