Peter Stuursma, the inspiring and stabilizing force for the MIAA-champion Hope College football team, has been selected as the American Football Coaches Association Region 4 Coach of the Year in NCAA Division III.

This season, Stuursma has guided the Flying Dutchmen to their first 10-0 regular season, their third MIAA championship since 2019, and their sixth trip to the NCAA playoffs.

Hope will host Aurora University (Illinois) in the NCAA Second Round on Saturday, Nov. 30, at noon at Ray and Sue Smith Stadium.

It is Stuursma's second AFCA Region Coach of the Year honor. Stuursma previously received the accolade in 2019.

The recognition is well-deserved, said defensive coordinator Jacob Pardonnet and offensive coordinator Andrew Hawken.

"Coach Stuursma is the motor that makes our program go," Pardonnet said. "He gives our staff complete autonomy to put our guys in a position for success both offensively and defensively, but makes sure that the cultural standard is being met every single rep, every single day. Nobody attacks each day with more passion and intensity. I'm very grateful to have played for him and to now work with him."

Added Hawken, "Coach Stuursma has led this team with consistency all year. He talked about going 1-0 every week and playing to our standard. He continually pushes this team to be their best every day in practice and never lets up. He cares so much about our guys and their well-being. He shows this every day with how he coaches and interacts with our players every day."

Stuursma has propelled the Flying Dutchmen in eight seasons to a 64-17 overall record (.790), including a 43-8 mark against MIAA opponents (.843).