Harding's Ronnie Huckeba Named Hansen Division II Coach of the Year; Six Earn All-America Honors

PITTSBURG, Kan. – Former Harding head coach Ronnie Huckeba was named Don Hansen National Coach of the Year along with North Alabama's Bobby Wallace.

Huckeba, who announced his retirement prior to the 2016 season, compiled a 69-40 record in 10 seasons leading the Bisons, including a 47-11 record in his final five seasons. Huckeba led Harding to a 13-1 record, a Great American Conference championship, and a national quarterfinal finish in 2016. Huckeba served as an assistant coach for Harding for 21 years before becoming the head coach.

Harding's 2016 team had four players earn All-America honors and two other receive honorable mention in addition to Huckeba's award. The only other season that Harding has had four All-Americans was 1993. That list included Harding's current head coach Paul Simmons, a first-team All-American defensive end.

Senior fullback Michael Latu received first-team honors. Junior offensive tackle Gavin De Los Santos and senior defensive end Trevon Biglow were listed on the second team. Senior return specialist Corey Bassett was a third-team honoree, and junior safety Daylon Markham and senior linebacker Daylon Skidmore received honorable mention.

Latu, a native of San Mateo, California, started all 14 games at Harding's B-back position in the flexbone offense. He was second on the team with 864 rushing yards on 181 carries and 14 touchdowns.

De Los Santos, of Hot Springs, Arkansas, started 13 games at right tackle and helped propel a Harding offense that led the NCAA in rushing with 362.8 rushing yards per game and 61 rushing touchdowns, the third-most on record in an NCAA season.

Biglow is a native of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and was the Great American Conference Defensive Player of the Year. He had 42 tackles, including 19.0 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. Biglow was second at Harding with 24.5 career sacks and third with 43.5 tackles for loss.

Bassett, of Plano, Texas, ranked second in Division II in kickoff returns with an average of 33.2 yards per return. He returned two kickoffs for touchdowns. Bassett also had a punt return for a touchdown to become the first Harding player with three return touchdowns in the same season.

Bassett is the first Harding returner ever to earn All-America honors.

Markham is a native of McKinney, Texas, and had 76 tackles and three interceptions.

Skidmore, of Houston, Texas, led Harding in tackles for the fourth straight season with 88, including 5.0 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks.

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Players Mentioned

#12 Corey Bassett: DB; 5' 8"; Senior

#19 Trevon Biglow: DL; 6' 1"; Senior

#9 Michael Latu: RB; 5' 10"; Senior

#56 Gavin De Los Santos: OL; 6' 3"; Senior

#32 Daylon Markham: DB; 5' 10"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#12 Corey Bassett
: 5' 8"; Senior
: DB

#19 Trevon Biglow
: 6' 1"; Senior
: DL

#9 Michael Latu
: 5' 10"; Senior
: RB

#56 Gavin De Los Santos
: 6' 3"; Senior
: OL

#32 Daylon Markham
: 5' 10"; Senior
: DB