TUCSON, Ariz. -- University of Arizona head coach Rich Rodriguez will lead the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) in 2017 as president of the organization, it was announced Tuesday. Rodriguez was elected president by members attending the Association's 2017 convention this week in Nashville, Tenn.

Heading into 2017, Rodriguez carries a career head coaching record of 156-113-2 in 23 seasons, marked by FBS/Division I records of 60-26 at West Virginia, 15-22 at Michigan and 36-29 with the Wildcats. He began his head coaching career at Salem (W.Va.) University in 1988 and then coached at Glenville State (W.Va.) from 1990-96.

Under the direction of Rodriguez, the Wildcats have established themselves as one of the most exciting and explosive programs in the Pac-12 Conference. In his five seasons, Arizona has tied or set more than 100 offensive school records, including single-game records for categories such as most points, total yards, rushing yards, passing yards and even biggest comeback. New all-time leaders have been set for career rushing and all-purpose yardage, while the top freshman rushing and passing seasons have also been rewritten under Rodriguez's tutelage.

The 2014 Pac-12 Coach of the Year, Rodriguez led the Wildcats to 33 wins in his first four seasons, a tally that was the most in school history over a four-year period. Included were four consecutive bowl berths, another feat previously never accomplished at the school. Those four seasons all had one notable achievement in common: each earned a win over an Associated Press top 10 team.

An active member of the American Football Coaches Association, Rodriguez originally served on the AFCA Board of Trustees from 2005-10 and was renamed to the board in 2015. He served as first vice-president in 2016.

In addition to Rodriguez, the 2017 AFCA officers include first vice-president Bill Cronin of Georgetown College (Ky.), second vice-president Frank Solich of Ohio University and third vice-president Mike Riley of the University of Nebraska.

Also serving on the Board in 2017: Gary Patterson, TCU; David Bailiff, Rice University; Pete Fredenburg, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor; Turner Gill, Liberty University; Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern University; Craig Bohl, University of Wyoming; Bronco Mendenhall, University of Virginia; Todd Knight, Ouachita Baptist University; David Cutcliffe, Duke University; Jeff McMartin, Central College (Iowa); Ken Niumatalolo, U.S. Naval Academy; Bret Bielema, University of Arkansas; Dan Mullen, Mississippi State University; Blake Anderson, Arkansas State University; Danny Rocco, University of Delaware; Bobby Kennedy, University of Iowa, ex officio member and chairman of the Assistant Coaches Committee; Van Malone, Southern Methodist University, ex officio member and chairman of the Minority Issues Committee; and Sam Knopik, The Pembroke Hill School (Mo.), ex officio member and chairman of the High School Committee. Paul Winters from Wayne State University (Mich.) and Mark McElroy from Saddleback College (Calif.) (ex officio Junior College member) are newly elected members of the Board this year, serving as a Division II and ex officio Junior College representative, respectively. AFCA Executive Director Todd Berry serves as secretary-treasurer of the organization.