Orono, Maine -- University of Maine head football coach Joe Harasymiak has been named the America Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Region 1 Coach of the Year, as announced by the organization on Tuesday, Dec. 18.

Harasymiak, who recently completed his third year at the helm of the Black Bears, guided Maine through its deepest NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) postseason run in school history. Under his leadership, the Black Bears advanced to the FCS semifinals following postseason victories over Jacksonville State and Weber State.

Throughout the historic season, Harasymiak led Maine to its first double-digit win season (10) since 2013. After being selected eighth in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) preseason poll, the Black Bears went on to capture the outright CAA championship, going 7-1 in league play. Harasymiak had the Black Bears motivated at home as Maine put together a perfect 5-0 season on its home turf. Harasymiak ushered the Black Bears to a seven-game win streak against ranked opponents as Maine finished the 2018 campaign 7-1 against ranked foes.

Several key victories helped map out Maine's historic run, beginning with a season-opening 35-7 rout of arch rival New Hampshire. The victory snapped Maine's eight game losing streak against the Wildcats. Harasymiak also orchestrated Maine to its third-ever victory over a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponent when the Black Bears went on the road to defeat Western Kentucky in comeback fashion, 31-28.

Harasymiak adds the AFCA Region 1 Coach of the Year award to an already impressive resume of postseason accolades. Harasymiak was previously selected as the CAA Coach of the Year as well as being named the Gridiron Club of Boston Coach of the Year. The third-year coach was also a finalist for the STATS FCS Eddie Robinson National Coach of the Year award.

-UMaine-