Bethune–Cookman Wildcats football
College football team
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The Bethune–Cookman Wildcats football team represents Bethune–Cookman University in the sport of college football. The Wildcats compete in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Starting with the fall 2021 season, they compete in the East Division of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), after having been members of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) since 1979.[2] They play their home games at Daytona Stadium. The Wildcats have won two black college football national championships and seven MEAC titles in the history of their football program.
4th season, 11–24 (.314)
(capacity: 10,000)
| Bethune–Cookman Wildcats football | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| |||
| |||
| First season | 1925 | ||
| Head coach | Raymond Woodie Jr. 4th season, 11–24 (.314) | ||
| Location | Daytona Beach, Florida | ||
| Stadium | Daytona Stadium (capacity: 10,000) | ||
| NCAA division | Division I FCS | ||
| Conference | SWAC | ||
| Colors | Maroon and gold[1] | ||
| All-time record | 511–354–26 (.588) | ||
| Black college national championships | |||
| 2010, 2013 | |||
| Conference championships | |||
| SEAC: 1942, 1947 SIAC: 1952, 1973, 1975, 1976 MEAC: 1984, 1988, 2002, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 | |||
| Rivalries | Florida A&M (rivalry) | ||
| Fight song | Let's Go Wildcats | ||
| Mascot | Wil D Cat | ||
| Marching band | The Marching Wildcats | ||
| Website | bcuathletics.com | ||
History
Classifications
- 1956–1972: NCAA College Division
- 1973–1979: NCAA Division II
- 1980–present: NCAA Division I-AA/FCS
Conference memberships
- 1925–1941: Independent
- 1942–1949: Southeastern Athletic Conference
- 1950–1979: Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
- 1979–2020: Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
- 2021–present: Southwestern Athletic Conference
Conference championships
| Year | Conference | Overall record | Conference record | Head coach |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1942 | SEAC | 6–1 | 6–1 | Preston Peterson |
| 1947 | SEAC | 10–2 | 0–0 | Bunky Matthews |
| 1952 | SIAC | 9–1 | 5–1 | Bunky Matthews |
| 1973 | SIAC | 9–2 | 5–0 | Cy McClairen |
| 1975 | SIAC | 10–1 | 4–1 | Charles W. Moore |
| 1976 | SIAC | 9–2 | 4–1 | Andy Hinson |
| 1984 | MEAC | 7–3 | 4–0 | Larry Little |
| 1988* | MEAC | 5–6 | 4–2 | Larry Little |
| 2002 | MEAC | 11–2 | 7–1 | Alvin Wyatt |
| 2010* | MEAC | 10–2 | 7–1 | Brian Jenkins |
| 2012 | MEAC | 8–3 | 8–0 | Brian Jenkins |
| 2013* | MEAC | 10–3 | 5–1 | Brian Jenkins |
| 2014* | MEAC | 9–3 | 6–2 | Brian Jenkins |
| 2015* | MEAC | 9–2 | 7–1 | Terry Sims |
| Total | 14 | |||
| * Denotes a tie for first place and conference co-champion | ||||
Black college football national championships
The Wildcats have won two black college football national championships.
| Year | Conference | Overall record | Conference record | Head coach |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | MEAC | 10–2 | 7–1 | Brian Jenkins |
| 2013 | MEAC | 10–3 | 5–1 | Brian Jenkins |
| Total | 2 | |||
Postseason appearances
Bowl games
Bethune–Cookman has participated in ten bowl games, with the Wildcats garnering a record of 6–4.[3]
| Season | Coach | Bowl | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1945 | Preston Peterson | Coconut Bowl | Albany State | W 32–0 |
| 1946 | Preston Peterson | Coconut Bowl | Columbia Sports Club | W 13–0 |
| 1946 | Bunky Matthews | Lions Bowl | Grambling | L 47–6 |
| 1947 | Bunky Matthews | Flower Bowl | Lane | W 6–0 |
Playoff appearances
NCAA Division I-AA/FCS
The Wildcats have made five appearances in the Division I-AA/FCS playoffs, with an overall record of 0–5.
| Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | First Round | Georgia Southern | L, 0–34 |
| 2003 | First Round | Florida Atlantic | L, 24–32 |
| 2010 | Second Round | New Hampshire | L, 20–45 |
| 2012 | First Round | Coastal Carolina | L, 14–24 |
| 2013 | First Round | Coastal Carolina | L, 24–48 |
NCAA Division II
The Wildcats have made one appearance in the Division II playoffs, with an overall record of 0–1.
Alumni in the NFL
Pro Football Hall of Fame
One former BCU football player has been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
| Year inducted | Player | POS | Seasons at BCU | NFL team(s) | Years with NFL team(s) |
| 1993 | Larry Little | G | 1963–1966 | San Diego Chargers | 1967–1968 |
| Miami Dolphins | 1969–1980 | ||||
Buck Buchanan Award
The Buck Buchanan Award is given to the most outstanding defensive player in Division I FCS. In 2002, Rashean Mathis of Bethune–Cookman won the award.[5] Mathis holds the NCAA FCS/ I-AA records for most interceptions in a season (14), most interceptions during a career (31), most yards on interception returns in a season (455), and most yards on interception returns in a career (682).[6]
Future non-conference opponents
Announced schedules as of February 3, 2026[7]
| 2026 | 2028 |
|---|---|
| at UCF | at USF |
| Stetson | |
| Virginia–Lynchburg | |
| South Carolina State |
