Bethel head coach Mike McElroy (2nd season) received the John Gagliardi Coach of the Year Award for the first time in his career after guiding the Royals to an undefeated regular season and MIAC championship in 2025. McElroy’s squad boasted the top scoring offense and scoring defense in the conference and became the first MIAC team in a quarter-century to win nine games in league play. McElroy is the second Bethel football coach to receive top honors in the MIAC, joining his predecessor, six-time honoree Steve Johnson. The MIAC Coach of the Year Award was renamed in honor of longtime Saint John’s head coach and College Football Hall of Famer, John Gagliardi - college football's all-time wins leader - in 2013. #d3football #d3fb (📸: Bennett Moger)