Central Michigan Chippewas football

Football team of Central Michigan University From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Central Michigan Chippewas are a college football program in Division I FBS, representing Central Michigan University (CMU). CMU has the 24th highest overall winning percentage of programs playing in NCAA Division I.[2]

First season1896; 130 years ago
Athletic directorAmy Folan
Head coachMatt Drinkall
2nd season, 7–6 (.538)
LocationMount Pleasant, Michigan
Quick facts First season, Athletic director ...
Central Michigan Chippewas football
2026 Central Michigan Chippewas football team
First season1896; 130 years ago
Athletic directorAmy Folan
Head coachMatt Drinkall
2nd season, 7–6 (.538)
LocationMount Pleasant, Michigan
StadiumKelly/Shorts Stadium
(capacity: 35,127)
NCAA divisionDivision I FBS
ConferenceMAC
ColorsMaroon and gold[1]
   
All-time record658–464–36 (.584)
Bowl record4–10 (.286)
National championships
ClaimedDiv. II: 1974
Conference championships
IIAC: 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1962, 1966, 1967, 1968
MAC: 1979, 1980, 1990, 1994, 2006, 2007, 2009
Conference division championships
MAC West: 2006, 2007, 2009, 2019, 2021
RivalriesWestern Michigan (rivalry)
Eastern Michigan (rivalry)
Uniforms
Fight songThe Fighting Chippewa
Marching bandThe Marching Chippewas
WebsiteCMUChippewas.com
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The Chippewas have played in six bowl games in the last nine years, most recently defeating Washington State in the 2021 Sun Bowl. CMU drew 60,624 fans in the 2007 Motor City Bowl. CMU has played a total of eighteen post-season games (conference championships and bowl games), winning seven.

History

See also: List of Central Michigan Chippewas football seasons

Conference affiliations

Central Michigan has been a member of the following conferences.[3]: 109–117 

Championships

National championships

The Chippewas won the 1974 NCAA Division II National Championship.

More information Year, League ...
Year League Coach Record CG Opponent Result
1974NCAA Division IIRoy Kramer12–1DelawareW 54–14
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Conference championships

Central Michigan has won 16 conference championships, including seven Mid-American conference championships.[3]: 109–117 

More information Season, Conference ...
Season Conference Head coach Overall record Conference record
1952Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic ConferenceBill Kelly7–26–0
19537–1–15–0–1
1954†8–25–1
19558–15–1
19569–06–0
19626–44–0
19665–53–0
1967†Roy Kramer8–22–1
1968†7–22–1
1979Mid-American ConferenceHerb Deromedi10–0–18–0–1
19809–27–2
19908–3–17–1
1994Dick Flynn9–38–1
2006Brian Kelly10–47–1
2007Butch Jones8–66–1
200912–28–0
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† Co-champions

Division championships

In the division era (1997–2023) of the MAC, Central Michigan has won 5 division championships:

More information Year, Division ...
Year Division Coach Opponent CG result
2006MAC WestBrian KellyOhioW 31–10
2007†MAC WestButch JonesMiamiW 35–10
2009MAC WestButch JonesOhioW 20–10
2019MAC WestJim McElwainMiamiL 21–26
2021†MAC WestJim McElwainN/A lost tiebreaker to Northern Illinois
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† Co-champions

Head coaches

Many notable coaches have contributed to CMU's culture. Some include "Wild" Bill Kelly who won seven conference championships in sixteen years and whom Kelly/Shorts Stadium is named after; national championship winning coach Roy Kramer who had a 72% winning percentage and never had a losing season in more than a decade; College Football Hall of Fame coach Herb Deromedi who is the winningest coach in MAC history[4] and Brian Kelly and Butch Jones who combined for three MAC Championships in four years, four consecutive bowl appearance and top 25 finish in the nation.

CMU head coaches through the 2025 season.[3]

More information Coach, Seasons ...
Coach Seasons Years Record
Pete McCormick189613–1
Carl Pray1897–189936–5
Unknown190011–0
No team1901
Charles Tambling1902–1905, 1918518–2
No team1906
Ralph Thacker190712–4
Hugh Sutherland190814–3
Harry Helmer1909–1912414–9–2
No team1913–1915
Blake Miller191611–5
Fred Johnson191711–2
Garland Nevitt191912–2–3
Joe Simmons192014–3–1
Wallace Parker1921–1923, 1926–1928632–10–6
Lester Barnard1924–1925211–2–3
Butch Nowack1929–193028–5–2
George Van Bibber1931–1933312–9–2
Alex Yunevich1934–193639–13–1
Ron Finch1937–19461054–18–1
Lyle Bennett1947–194938–15–1
Warren Schmakel195016–4
Kenneth Kelly1951–19661691–58–2
Roy Kramer1967–19771183–32–2
Herb Deromedi1978–199316110–55–10
Dick Flynn1994–1999630–37
Mike DeBord2000–2003412–34
Brian Kelly2004–2006319–16
Jeff Quinn†2006–1–0
Butch Jones2007–2009327–13
Steve Stripling†2009–1–0
Dan Enos2010–2014526–36
John Bonamego2015–2018422–29
Jim McElwain2019–2024633–36
Matt Drinkall2025–present27-6
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† Interim

Bowl games

Central Michigan holds a 4–10 record in bowl games.[3]: 124–136 

More information Year, Bowl ...
Year Bowl Opponent Result
1990California BowlSan Jose StateL 24–48
1994Las Vegas BowlUNLVL 24–52
2006Motor City BowlMiddle Tennessee StateW 31–14
2007Motor City BowlPurdueL 48–51
2008Motor City BowlFlorida AtlanticL 21–24
2009GMAC BowlTroyW 44–41
2012Little Caesars Pizza BowlWestern KentuckyW 24–21
2014Bahamas BowlWestern KentuckyL 48–49
2015Quick Lane BowlMinnesotaL 14–21
2016Miami Beach BowlTulsaL 10–55
2017Famous Idaho Potato BowlWyomingL 14–37
2019New Mexico BowlSan Diego StateL 11–48
2021Sun BowlWashington StateW 24–21
2025GameAbove Sports BowlNorthwesternL 7–34
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Playoff appearances

NCAA Division II playoffs

The Chippewas made one appearance in the Division II playoffs, with a combined record of 3–0.

More information Year, Round ...
Year Round Opponent Result
1974 Quarterfinals
Semifinals
National Championship		 Boise State
Louisiana Tech
Delaware		 W, 20–6
W, 35–14
W, 54–14
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Rivalries

Western Michigan

Main article: Central Michigan–Western Michigan football rivalry

These archrivals first met in 1907 and have faced one another annually since 1943. Since the two schools are separated by a two-hour drive, the visiting team typically has a strong fan and student presence at the game. The winner of the game receives the Cannon Trophy.[5] The outcome also helps determine the winner of the Michigan MAC Trophy, a trophy fought over between Michigan's three MAC football teams: the Central Michigan Chippewas, the Western Michigan Broncos, and the Eastern Michigan Eagles.[6] WMU leads the series overall 53-40-2 as of November 1, 2025.[7]

Eastern Michigan

Main article: Central Michigan–Eastern Michigan football rivalry
Ryan Radcliff looks to pass during a 2011 game against Eastern Michigan

The Chippewas and Eagles maintain a less prominent, but steady rivalry. CMU holds the series lead over Eastern Michigan, leading 65–32–6.[8][when?]

Traditions

Kelly/Shorts game day experience

Central Michigan has the largest on-campus stadium in the Mid-American Conference,[9] seating 32,885 fans and has been playing home football games dating back to 1896. The Sporting News has named Kelly/Shorts Stadium "the finest football facility in the Mid-American Conference" and "the best game day atmosphere in the MAC".[10]

The East End of the stadium (as of 2014) once again hosts the CMU Student section backing the football team.[11] The Chippewa Marching Band, cheerleaders, and dance team add to the game day experience[12] and has helped CMU to get a .671 winning percentage all-time at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.[13]

CMU drew a capacity crowd of 35,127 fans for the Central Michigan–Michigan State game televised on ESPNU[14] and has hosted schools from the ACC, Big Ten, and Big 12 conferences. Future opponents at home include schools from the Big Ten, ACC, Big 12, Pac-12 and Mountain West conferences.[15]

In 2010, the CMU Board of Trustees designed and set course to construct a state of the art stadium expansion to integrate a hotel, restaurant, and conference center connected by a glass atrium to new stadium suites on the east side. This addition will be custom-built into Kelly/Shorts Stadium.[16]

Newer upgrades include a video scoreboard standing six stories and featuring two video replay boards—one facing into the stadium and a second board facing outside the stadium by tailgating areas. NFL-quality permanent lighting has been installed for television and future ESPN night games.[17]

College Football Hall of Fame

See also: College Football Hall of Fame

Two former Central Michigan coaches have been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.[18][19][20]

More information Name, Position ...
Name Position Career Induction
Herb DeromediHead coach1978–19932007
Roy KramerHead coach1967-19772023
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Notable players

See also: List of Central Michigan Chippewas in the NFL draft

Retired numbers

See also: List of NCAA football retired numbers
More information No., Player ...
Central Michigan Chippewas retired numbers
No. Player Pos. Tenure Ref.
62Jim PodoleyHB1952–1956[25]
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Media

Radio

The CMU Sports Network broadcasts all games live throughout Michigan and online for free.

CMU Sports Network Affiliates:

Television

The ESPN family of channels and Fox Sports affiliates have provided national and local television coverage.

CMU Sports Zone provides live and archive Internet video-feed of games, gameday coverage, and coaches shows.[27]

Future non-conference opponents

Announced schedules as of February 18, 2026.[28]

2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2032
at New Mexico (9/5) Monmouth (9/2) at Troy (9/16) New Mexico (9/8) at Michigan State (8/31) at Old Dominion (9/18)
Colgate (9/12) at Michigan State (9/11) at Rutgers (9/15) Troy (9/7)
Wyoming (9/19) Old Dominion (9/18) at San Diego State (9/21)
at Miami (FL) (9/26) at Wyoming (9/25)

References

External links

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