Ashland University football coach Lee Owens was named 2012 Region 3 Coach of the Year by the American Football Coaches of America.  This past season Owens coached the Eagles to an 11-1 finish, 11-0 during the regular season marking the first time since 1972 Ashland U. went undefeated during the regular season.  It was also just the fourth undefeated football team in school history.  Their number four ranking in D-2 during the season equaled the school's highest ever.

In 2012, Ashland won the school's first GLIAC football championship and advanced to the playoffs.  For that Owens was also honored as the GLIAC coach of the year, the second time he has won the award.  In nine season at Ashland his coaching record stands at 66-34.   Of note, the team that stopped Ashland in the playoffs West Texas A and M (33-28) is still playing.  The Buffaloes advanced to the national semifinal in Division II against Winston-Salem State after winning at Colorado State-Pueblo last week 34-13.