SEARCY – Harding defensive coordinator Roddy Mote has been named the 2025 FootballScoop Division II Coordinator of the Year, presented by Teamworks, the publication announced Tuesday.

Mote, who has orchestrated the nation's top-ranked scoring defense, was selected by a vote of prior award winners. He becomes the first coach in Harding history to receive the honor.

While the Bisons' record-setting rushing attack has garnered national attention during the team's run to the 2025 National Championship game, Mote's defensive unit has been equally dominant.

Under Mote's leadership, the Harding defense leads all of Division II in scoring defense, allowing just 10.8 points per game. The unit has suffocated opponents all season, posting four shutouts and holding seven different teams to single digits. At one point during the regular season, the defense played 168 consecutive snaps without surrendering a single point.

The Bisons also lead the nation in red zone defense by a wide margin. In 23 trips inside the 20-yard line—the fewest allowed by any defense in the country—Harding opponents have managed just nine touchdowns. The unit's red zone percentage ranks eight points higher than the next closest program.

Statistically, the Bisons rank in the top five nationally in almost every major category:

• Scoring Defense: 1st (10.8 ppg)

• Passing Defense: 2nd (149.7 ypg)

• Total Defense: 3rd (262.8 ypg)

• Pass Efficiency Defense: 4th

• Yards Per Play: 6th (4.41)

Mote's defense has also been opportunistic, ranking as one of only 20 teams in Division II to force at least 25 turnovers. Opposing quarterbacks have completed just 53 percent of their passes against the Bisons, throwing 16 interceptions against only 11 touchdowns.

The award highlights a season of individual excellence for Mote's players. Senior linebacker Clark Griffin was named the Great American Conference Defensive Player of the Year—the fourth Bison to win the award under Mote's tutelage—and a First Team All-Super Region 4 selection.

In total, 10 defensive players earned All-GAC honors this season. Joining Griffin on the First Team were defensive end Justin Sobczak, linebacker Jordan Mays, defensive tackle Joseph Oluwayemi, cornerback Troy Wiseman, and safety Ty Dugger. Defensive tackle Nii Addy earned Second Team honors, while Kaden Spencer, Curtis Jackson, and Deion Campbell were named to the Third Team.

"Roddy is the hardest working and most disciplined guy I have ever been around," said Harding head coach Paul Simmons.

A true Harding veteran, Mote has spent the majority of his adult life serving the program. He played quarterback and running back for the Bisons in the 1980s and served as the offensive backs coach from 1994-99. After a successful stint as the head coach at Harding Academy (2008-15), Mote returned to the university staff as linebackers coach in 2016 and was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2017.

Mote and the Bisons will take the field Saturday at McKinney ISD Stadium to face Ferris State in the NCAA Division II National Championship. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m.