WACO, TX -- Longtime Delaware assistant football coach Ted Kempski (right) has been selected as the recipient of the American Football Coaches Association's Outstanding Achievement Award.

"When I received word from Grant Teaff that I was selected as this year's Outstanding Achievement Award winner, I was thrilled and overwhelmed because of the enormity of this award," Kempski said. "After I had a chance to sit back and think about it, this is the greatest honor that I have received. This award is a compliment to the great players and coaches that I was associated with over the years. I am grateful to the University of Delaware for allowing me to work at such a great institution."

The award will be presented to Kempski during the AFCA Kickoff Luncheon on January 7 at the 2008 AFCA Convention in Anaheim, CA. The AFCA Board of Trustees created the award in order to recognize AFCA members past and present who have achieved outstanding success in coaching.

Kempski, who helped bring the Delaware football team to national prominence in 34 seasons as an assistant coach under the legendary Tubby Raymond, just began his sixth year as special assistant to the director of athletics under Delaware AD Edgar Johnson. In this position, he assists with various areas of the Blue Hen athletic program, including special projects, game day and facility operations, and sports camps.

Kempski first made an impact at Delaware as the starting quarterback for the Blue Hens in 1961 and 1962, helping lead UD to the Middle Atlantic Championship in '62. He went on to earn his master's degree from Delaware in 1965 while serving as a graduate assistant for the football team under head coach David Nelson.

Kempski worked as an assistant coach at George Washington and Marshall before returning to his alma mater as the offensive coordinator in 1968. After 34 seasons on the Blue Hens' coaching staff, he retired as associate head coach after the 2001 campaign. During his time on the sidelines, Delaware won three national titles, made 16 NCAA tournament appearances, won 14 Lambert Cup trophies, earned nine ECAC Team of the Year awards, and captured eight conference titles. The Hens compiled a record of 292-109-3 in Kempski's time in Newark.

From 1968 to 1973, Kempski's backfields led the College Division in either rushing or total offense per game, and his 1979 backfield led the nation in scoring and total offense. His offenses were consistently ranked among the nation's best.

Raymond lauded Kempski for his immeasurable contributions to the program.

"(During Kempski's time at Delaware), we were eminently successful and on the cutting edge of offensive football," Raymond said. "Much of our success was a result of Ted's imagination and teaching ability as we adjusted to defensive trends and the increasing ability of our players. It is my opinion that Ted Kempski was the quintessential assistant football coach, having helped Delaware achieve national recognition in addition to his special contribution of helping other coaches throughout the country."

Kempski, a Wilmington native, graduated from Salesianum High School, where he lettered in football, basketball, and baseball. He now resides in Elkton, MD, with his wife, Cathy.