Willingham elected president of American Football Coaches Association

1/9/2008 8:12 PM

SEATTLE (AP) - Washington coach Tyrone Willingham has been elected president of the American Football Coaches Association.

Willingham moves up from first vice president of the organization, which was founded in 1922 and has more than 10,000 members. He succeeds Ken Sparks of Carson-Newman College, the result of a vote taken this week among those attending the AFCA's annual convention in Anaheim, Calif.

``Football is man's greatest game. And if there is any capacity that we can serve or do something for this game, then it is a tremendous honor for that person to say that he did something to help and promote the game of football,'' Willingham said.

``The reason I am president of the AFCA is because of other people, so my focus will be to help the game of football and help our membership enjoy the game of football better. Whether that means have a voice or carry their wishes in a certain agenda, it should be one year of service to help them have a better life at the game of football.''

Joining Willingham as AFCA officers for this year: first vice president Dick Tomey of San Jose State, second vice president Larry Kehres of Mount Union College and third vice president Rob Ash of Montana State.