PITMAN—After advancing to the national semifinals of the 2014 NCAA Tournament en route to a 12-2 overall record, Wesley College was selected as the 2015 preseason football favorite in the New Jersey Athletic Conference. As one of four new associate football members of the NJAC, Wesley will be competing in a conference for the first time since 2010. The Wolverines will also compete for an NCAA Tournament automatic qualification in the sport of football for the first time in program history.

Wesley received 9-of-the-10 first-place votes cast by the league coaches. Led by the 2014 ECAC Division III South Co-Coach of the Year in Mike Drass, the Wolverines have produced an overall record of 198-54-1 during his 22 years at the helm of the program, including 11 NCAA Tournament berths. Wesley, which has competed as an independent for the past four seasons, previously was a member of the Atlantic Central Football Conference (ACFC) where the program claimed eight league titles during the league’s existence, including six straight from a period of 2005 to 2010. The Wolverines return four ECAC Division III South All-Stars from their 2014 NCAA national semifinalist squad, including junior running back Jamar Baynard, senior tight end Kyle George, junior offensive lineman Casey Ergenzinger, and senior preseason All-American quarterback Joe Callahan. 

Rowan University, which claimed a share of its 19th NJAC championship in 2014 en route to a 7-4 overall record, was selected to place second and received one first-place vote. The 2014 Profs earned a share of the league title with a 6-1 conference record, and claimed the NJAC’s automatic qualification to the NCAA Tournament via tiebreaker. Led by the 2014 NJAC Co-Coach of the Year in Jay Accorsi, the Profs have produced an overall record of 103-39 during his 13-year tenure, including seven conference championships and seven NCAA Tournament berths. Rowan returns a league-high eight all-conference players from its 2014 NJAC co-championship team, including senior linebacker Darren Dungee, senior defensive back Eddie Davis, sophomore kicker Tyler Knighton, junior defensive back Jared Sanchez, senior defensive back Rashad Adams, senior wide receiver Russ Forchion, senior offensive lineman Steven Schwartz, and senior preseason All-American running back Withler Marcelin.

Salisbury University, one of the four new associate football members of the NJAC, was selected to place third. The 2014 Sea Gulls posted a 7-4 overall record and finished fifth in their final season of play in the Empire 8 Conference with a 5-3 league mark. Led by 17th-year head coach Sherman Wood, Salisbury has produced an overall record of 115-57 under his leadership, including a pair of league crowns in both the ACFC (2004 & 2005) and the Empire 8 (2011 & 2012) and six NCAA Tournament appearances. Salisbury returns a trio of players who earned Empire 8 all-conference honors in 2014, including junior kick/punt returner Ryan Kolb, senior offensive lineman Kevin Perretta, and senior linebacker James Hall.

Montclair State University, under the direction of the winningest active football coach in NCAA Division III in Rick Giancola, was selected to place fourth. Under the leadership of Giancola, MSU has produced an overall mark of 226-104-2 in his 32 seasons at the helm of the Red Hawks’ program, including 11 NJAC championships and nine NCAA Tournament appearances. The 2014 Red Hawks claimed a share of the NJAC championship with a 6-1 mark in league play en route to an 8-2 record overall. MSU returns seven all-conference players from its 2014 NJAC co-championship squad, including senior running back Denzel Nieves, senior linebacker Michael Klimek, senior preseason All-American defensive back Eric Gargiulo, senior quarterback Ryan Davies, senior wide receiver Aaron Williams, senior defensive back Bill Shimko and the 2014 NJAC Defensive Rookie of the Year in sophomore linebacker Joshua Betts.

Christopher Newport University, which captured the 2014 USA South conference championship in its final season with the league, was selected to place fifth. The 2014 Captains won their 10th USA South championship in program history en route to an 8-4 overall record. CNU advanced to the second round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament after posting a 29-26 come-from-behind NCAA first round road victory over No. 16 Delaware Valley. Led by the 2014 USA South Coach of the Year in Matt Kelchner, the Captains have produced an overall record of 98-51 with 10 NCAA Tournament appearances during his 14-year tenure which expands the entire history of the program. CNU returns four all-conference players from its 2014 USA South championship team, including senior offensive lineman Scott Fahey, junior linebacker Allen Hayes, senior defensive back Cameron Barlow and junior running back Daquan Davis.

The coaches’ dark horse selection, Frostburg State University was selected to place sixth. The 2014 Bobcats finished 4-6 in the first season under the direction of head coach DeLane Fitzgerald, giving Fitzgerald 28 career collegiate coaching victories. The 2014 Bobcats finished eighth in the Empire 8 during their final season with the league. Frostburg returns a trio of 2014 Empire 8 all-conference selections, including junior defensive lineman William Sewell, senior linebacker Rowan Pinkett and senior defensive back Salaman Riddell.

Kean University, under the leadership of 10th-year head coach Dan Garrett, was selected to place seventh. Under Garrett’s leadership, the Cougars have recorded an overall record of 52-42, including a mark of 2-8 in 2014. Kean returns four all-conference players from its 2014 squad, including senior fullback Jaishon Moore, junior kick returner Damian Corredor, senior tight end John Schmitt, and junior defensive lineman Tom Winters.

William Paterson University, led by eighth-year head coach Jerry Flora, was selected to place eighth. The 2014 Pioneers finished 4-6 overall, giving Flora 29 career collegiate coaching victories during his tenure in Wayne. WPU returns five all-conference players from its 2014 squad, including senior wide receiver Anthony DiMarsico, senior running back Matt Delana, senior offensive lineman Jalen Haynes, senior offensive lineman Andrew Donnell, and senior linebacker Dennis Goodman.

The College of New Jersey, which finished 2-8 overall in 2014, was selected to place ninth. The Lions have produced seven victories under third-year head coach Wayne Dickens, giving Dickens 24 collegiate coaching victories. TCNJ returns a pair of all-conference players from the 2014 season in sophomore running back Khani Glover and senior linebacker Sean Kley.

Southern Virginia University, which competed as a member of the NJAC for the first time in 2014, was selected to place 10th. Second-year head coach Jason Walker guided the Knights to a 1-9 overall record during his rookie season. Southern Virginia returns one all-conference player from its 2014 squad in sophomore tight end Michael Carroll.

The 47th season of NJAC football will kick off on Friday, September 4 when Salisbury travels to face Albright in the first non-conference contest of the year. The first NJAC game will take place just one day later when Christopher Newport hosts TCNJ in the league-opener. In total, eight NJAC teams will be in action during the first weekend of play, with Kean and Wesley opening their seasons one week later on Saturday, September 12.

The winner of the NJAC championship receives the conference’s automatic qualification to the NCAA Division III National Championship Tournament.

2015 NJAC Football Preseason Coaches Poll

1. Wesley (9)

2. Rowan (1)

3. Salisbury

4. Montclair State

5. Christopher Newport

6. Frostburg State (dark horse)

7. Kean

8. William Paterson

9. The College of New Jersey

10.Southern Virginia

First Place Votes In Parentheses