2023 NCAA Division II football season

2023 NCAA Division II football season
2023 NCAA Division II football season
Total No. of teams	163
Regular season	August 31 – November 11, 2023
Playoffs	November 18 – December 16, 2023
National Championship	McKinney Independent School District Stadium; McKinney, TX; December 16, 2023
Champion	Harding
Harlon Hill Trophy	Zach Zebrowski, QB, Central Missouri
	← 2022; NCAA Division II football seasons; 2024 →;

The 2023 NCAA Division II football season, part of college football in the United States organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division II level, began on August 31 and ended on December 16 with the Division II championship at the McKinney Independent School District Stadium in McKinney, Texas. Harding won the title, defeating Colorado Mines, 38–7.

D-II team wins over FCS teams

September 2: Bowie State 22, Delaware State 11
September 2: Virginia State 33, Norfolk State 24
September 2: Central State (OH) 24, Mississippi Valley State 21
September 8: Barton 33, Davidson 31
September 9: Colorado Mesa 28, San Diego 21 ^OT
September 9: Miles 21, Alabama State 17
September 16: Delta State 35, Mississippi Valley State 7

Conference changes and new programs

School	Former conference	New conference
Alderson Broaddus Battlers	Mountain East	School closed
Bluefield State Big Blues	Independent (D-II)	CIAA
Chowan Hawks	CIAA	Gulf South
Lincoln (MO) Blue Tigers	MIAA	GLVC
Simon Fraser Red Leafs	Lone Star	Dropped program
Thomas More Saints	Mid-South (NAIA)	G-MAC
Upper Iowa Peacocks	Northern Sun	GLVC

Headlines

January 14 – At the 2023 NCAA Convention, the D-II football membership approved a change to redshirt rules to allow freshmen to play in up to three games without losing a season of athletic eligibility.^[1]
January 26 – Conference Carolinas announced that Shorter University would join from the Gulf South Conference in 2024. This gave the conference 6 football sponsoring members, and accordingly, it was announced that they would begin sponsoring football again effective for the 2025 season, a sport they had previously discontinued in 1975. Inaugural members of the new league would be Barton and Erskine, who currently play in the South Atlantic Conference; UNC Pembroke, who plays in the Mountain East Conference; and Chowan, North Greenville, and Shorter, who all play in the Gulf South Conference.^[2]
December 14 – The NCAA Division II Championships Committee approved a restructuring of the football super regions effective for the 2025 season once Conference Carolinas begins sponsoring football. The new super region alignment is as follows:^[3]
- Super Region 1: Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, Mountain East Conference, Northeast-10 Conference, Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference
- Super Region 2: Conference Carolinas, Gulf South Conference, South Atlantic Conference, Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
- Super Region 3: Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, Great Lakes Valley Conference, Great Midwest Athletic Conference, Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference
- Super Region 4: Great American Conference, Lone Star Conference, Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association, Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference

Rankings

The top 25 from the AFCA Coaches' Poll.

Preseason Poll

AFCA^[4]
Ranking	Team
1	Ferris State (29)
2	Colorado Mines
3	Grand Valley State
4	Pittsburg State
5	Angelo State
6	NW Missouri State
7	West Florida
8	Ouachita Baptist
9	Minnesota State
10	Delta State
11	Bemidji State
12	Ashland
13	Shepherd
14	Harding
15	Slippery Rock
16	IUP
17	Benedict (1)
18	Virginia Union
19	Emporia State
20	Indianapolis
21	Wingate
22	West Georgia
23	Assumption
24	Newberry
25	Lenoir–Rhyne

Conference standings

Super Region 1

2023 Great Midwest Athletic Conference football standings
v t e
Team	W		L	W		L
No. 14 Tiffin $^	9	–	0	11	–	1
Ashland #	8	–	1	9	–	3
Findlay	6	–	3	7	–	4
Hillsdale	6	–	3	6	–	5
Northwood	5	–	4	5	–	6
Thomas More*	4	–	5	5	–	6
Kentucky Wesleyan	3	–	6	4	–	7
Ohio Dominican	3	–	6	4	–	7
Walsh	1	–	8	3	–	8
Lake Erie	0	–	9	1	–	10

$ – Conference champion ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant * – Thomas More ineligible for postseason play due to transition from NAIA # – America's Crossroads Bowl participant Rankings from AFCA Poll

2023 Mountain East Conference football standings
v t e
Team	W		L	W		L
No. 19 Charleston (WV) $^	8	–	1	10	–	2
Fairmont State	6	–	3	8	–	3
Frostburg State	6	–	3	7	–	3
Notre Dame (OH)	6	–	3	7	–	3
UNC Pembroke	6	–	3	7	–	3
Glenville State	5	–	4	6	–	4
Wheeling	4	–	5	5	–	5
West Liberty	4	–	5	4	–	6
West Virginia State	4	–	5	4	–	6
Concord	1	–	9	1	–	10
West Virginia Wesleyan	0	–	9	0	–	10

$ – Conference champion ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant Rankings from AFCA Poll

2023 Northeast-10 Conference football standings
v t e
Team	W		L	W		L
New Haven $^	6	–	1	8	–	3
Bentley	5	–	2	6	–	4
Saint Anselm	5	–	2	6	–	4
Assumption	3	–	4	5	–	5
Franklin Pierce	3	–	4	4	–	6
Southern Connecticut	3	–	4	4	–	6
Pace	2	–	5	3	–	7
American International	1	–	6	3	–	8

$ – Conference champion ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant Rankings from AFCA Poll

2023 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference football standings
v t e
Team	W		L	W		L
East Division
No. 7 Kutztown xy$^	7	–	0	11	–	2
East Stroudsburg ^	5	–	2	9	–	3
Shepherd ^	5	–	2	9	–	3
West Chester	3	–	4	6	–	5
Lock Haven	3	–	4	5	–	6
Shippensburg	2	–	5	3	–	8
Bloomsburg	2	–	5	3	–	8
Millersville	1	–	6	3	–	8
West Division
No. 10 Slippery Rock xy^	7	–	0	12	–	2
California (PA)	6	–	1	7	–	3
Gannon	5	–	2	5	–	6
Seton Hill	4	–	3	6	–	5
IUP	3	–	4	6	–	5
Edinboro	1	–	6	3	–	8
Clarion	1	–	6	2	–	9
Mercyhurst	1	–	6	2	–	9
Championship: Kutztown 31, Slippery Rock 7
$ – Conference champion x – Division champion/co-champions y – Championship game participant ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant Rankings from AFCA Poll

2023 NCAA Division II Super Region 1 independents football records
v t e
Team	W		L	W		L
Post		–		1	–	9

Rankings from AFCA Poll

Super Region 2

2023 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association football standings
v t e
Team	W		L	W		L
Northern Division
No. 20 Virginia Union xy$^	7	–	1	10	–	2
Virginia State	6	–	2	8	–	2
Bowie State	5	–	3	6	–	4
Lincoln (PA)	3	–	5	4	–	6
Elizabeth City State	2	–	6	3	–	7
Bluefield State	0	–	8	1	–	9
Southern Division
Fayetteville State xy	8	–	0	8	–	3
Johnson C. Smith #	6	–	2	7	–	4
Livingstone	4	–	4	4	–	6
Winston-Salem State	4	–	4	4	–	6
Shaw	3	–	5	3	–	7
St. Augustine's	0	–	8	0	–	10
Championship: Virginia Union 21, Fayetteville State 10
$ – Conference champion x – Division champion/co-champions y – Championship game participant ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant # – Florida Beach Bowl participant Rankings from AFCA Poll

2023 Gulf South Conference football standings
v t e
Team	W		L	W		L
No. 8 Valdosta State +^	7	–	1	12	–	2
No. 11 Delta State +^	7	–	1	10	–	2
No. 23 West Florida ^	6	–	2	8	–	4
West Georgia	5	–	3	6	–	4
North Greenville	4	–	4	5	–	5
West Alabama	4	–	4	5	–	5
Mississippi College	2	–	6	3	–	7
Shorter	1	–	7	3	–	8
Chowan	0	–	8	0	–	10

+ – Conference co-champions ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant Rankings from AFCA Poll

2023 South Atlantic Conference football standings
v t e
Team	W		L	W		L
Mountain Division
Mars Hill x	7	–	2	8	–	2
Tusculum xy	6	–	3	6	–	5
Carson–Newman	4	–	5	5	–	6
Emory & Henry*	3	–	6	5	–	6
Virginia–Wise	1	–	8	2	–	9
Erskine	0	–	9	0	–	11
Piedmont Division
No. 4 Lenoir–Rhyne xy$^	8	–	1	13	–	2
Limestone x^	8	–	1	8	–	4
Wingate	7	–	2	8	–	3
Barton	4	–	5	6	–	5
Catawba	3	–	6	5	–	6
Newberry	3	–	6	4	–	7
Championship: Lenoir-Rhyne 48, Tusculum 7
$ – Conference champion x – Division champion/co-champions y – Championship game participant ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant * – Emory & Henry ineligible for postseason play due to transition from NCAA Division III Rankings from AFCA Poll

2023 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings
v t e
Team	W		L	W		L
No. 12 Benedict y$^	8	–	0	11	–	1
Albany State y	6	–	2	6	–	5
Fort Valley State #	6	–	2	8	–	3
Miles	6	–	2	7	–	3
Tuskegee	6	–	2	7	–	4
Allen*	5	–	3	7	–	3
Edward Waters*	5	–	3	6	–	4
Central State (OH)	4	–	4	5	–	5
Kentucky State	2	–	6	3	–	7
Lane	2	–	6	2	–	8
Morehouse	1	–	7	1	–	9
Savannah State	1	–	7	2	–	8
Clark Atlanta	0	–	8	0	–	10
Championship: Benedict 47, Albany State 10
$ – Conference champion y – Championship game participant ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant * – Allen and Edward Waters ineligible for postseason play due to transition from NAIA # – Florida Beach Bowl participant Rankings from AFCA Poll

Super Region 3

2023 Great American Conference football standings
v t e
Team	W		L	W		L
No. 1 Harding $^	11	–	0	15	–	0
No. 24 Henderson State ^	9	–	2	9	–	3
Ouachita Baptist	9	–	2	9	–	2
Southern Arkansas #	9	–	2	10	–	2
Oklahoma Baptist	6	–	5	6	–	5
Southern Nazarene #	6	–	5	6	–	6
Arkansas Tech	5	–	6	5	–	6
SE Oklahoma State	5	–	6	5	–	6
East Central	3	–	8	3	–	8
Arkansas–Monticello	2	–	9	2	–	9
NW Oklahoma State	1	–	10	1	–	10
SW Oklahoma State	0	–	11	0	–	11

$ – Conference champion ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant # – bowl participant (Southern Nazarene - Heritage Bowl, Southern Arkansas - Live United Texarkana Bowl) Rankings from AFCA Poll

2023 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings
v t e
Team	W		L	W		L
No. 3 Grand Valley State $^	6	–	0	11	–	2
No. 9 Ferris State ^	5	–	1	8	–	3
Davenport	4	–	2	8	–	2
Saginaw Valley State	3	–	3	6	–	5
Wayne State (MI)	2	–	4	3	–	8
Michigan Tech	1	–	5	5	–	5
Northern Michigan	0	–	6	0	–	11

$ – Conference champion ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant Rankings from AFCA Poll

2023 Great Lakes Valley Conference football standings
v t e
Team	W		L	W		L
No. 22 Indianapolis $^	6	–	1	9	–	2
Truman State	5	–	2	9	–	2
McKendree #	5	–	2	5	–	6
Missouri S&T	4	–	3	4	–	7
Quincy	3	–	4	6	–	5
Southwest Baptist	3	–	4	4	–	7
Upper Iowa	1	–	6	3	–	8
William Jewell	1	–	6	2	–	8

$ – Conference champion ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant # – America's Crossroads Bowl participant Rankings from AFCA Poll

2023 Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association football standings
v t e
Team	W		L	W		L
No. 6 Central Missouri +^	9	–	1	11	–	2
No. 5 Pittsburg State +^	9	–	1	11	–	2
Emporia State #	7	–	3	9	–	3
Missouri Western #	7	–	3	8	–	4
Fort Hays State	6	–	4	7	–	4
NW Missouri State	6	–	4	7	–	4
Central Oklahoma	4	–	6	5	–	6
Missouri Southern	4	–	6	5	–	6
Nebraska–Kearney	2	–	8	3	–	8
Washburn	1	–	9	2	–	9
Northeastern State	0	–	10	1	–	10

+ – Conference co-champions ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant # – bowl participant (Emporia State - Heritage Bowl, Missouri Western - Live United Texarkana Bowl) Rankings from AFCA Poll

2023 NCAA Division II Super Region 3 independents football records
v t e
Team	W		L	W		L
Lincoln (MO)		–		0	–	11

Rankings from AFCA Poll

Super Region 4

2023 Lone Star Conference football standings
v t e
Team	W		L	W		L
No. 18 UT Permian Basin $^	8	–	0	10	–	2
No. 17 Central Washington ^	7	–	1	9	–	4
Angelo State	6	–	2	7	–	3
Texas A&M–Kingsville	5	–	3	7	–	3
Midwestern State	3	–	5	4	–	6
Eastern New Mexico	2	–	6	5	–	6
West Texas A&M	2	–	6	3	–	7
Western Oregon	2	–	6	3	–	8
Western New Mexico	1	–	7	2	–	8

$ – Conference champion ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant Rankings from AFCA Poll

2023 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference football standings
v t e
Team	W		L	W		L
No. 13 Augustana (SD) $^	9	–	1	11	–	2
No. 25 Minnesota Duluth	8	–	2	9	–	2
No. 16 Bemidji State ^	8	–	2	9	–	3
No. 21 Minnesota State ^	8	–	2	9	–	3
Wayne State (NE)	7	–	3	8	–	3
MSU Moorhead	6	–	4	7	–	4
Winona State	5	–	5	5	–	6
Northern State	4	–	6	5	–	6
Sioux Falls	3	–	7	3	–	8
Concordia–St. Paul	2	–	8	3	–	8
SW Minnesota State	2	–	8	2	–	9
Mary	2	–	8	2	–	9
Minot State	1	–	9	1	–	10

$ – Conference champion ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant Rankings from AFCA Poll

2023 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference football standings
v t e
Team	W		L	W		L
No. 2 Colorado Mines $^	9	–	0	14	–	1
No. 15 Western Colorado ^	8	–	1	10	–	2
CSU Pueblo	7	–	2	8	–	3
Black Hills State	5	–	4	6	–	5
Colorado Mesa	5	–	4	6	–	5
Chadron State	4	–	5	5	–	6
South Dakota Mines	4	–	5	5	–	6
Adams State	2	–	7	3	–	8
New Mexico Highlands	1	–	8	2	–	9
Fort Lewis	0	–	9	0	–	11

$ – Conference champion ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant Rankings from AFCA Poll

Postseason

Qualifiers

Playoff teams
Super Region	School	Conference	Record	Appearance	Last bid
Super Region 1	Tiffin	G-MAC	11–0	2nd	2019
	Charleston (WV)	Mountain East	9–1	2nd	2015
	Kutztown	PSAC	9–2	6th	2021
	Slippery Rock	PSAC	10–1	11th	2022
	East Stroudsburg	PSAC	9–2	5th	2009
	Virginia Union*	CIAA	10–1	11th	2022
	New Haven	Northeast-10	8–2	9th	2022
Super Region 2	Benedict	SIAC	11–0	2nd	2022
	Delta State	Gulf South	9–1	11th	2022
	Valdosta State	Gulf South	10–1	19th	2021
	Lenoir–Rhyne	SAC	10–1	7th	2021
	Shepherd*	PSAC	9–2	15th	2022
	Limestone	SAC	8–3	2nd	2022
	West Florida	Gulf South	8–3	5th	2022
Super Region 3	Harding	GAC	11–0	6th	2021
	Grand Valley State	GLIAC	9–1	22nd	2022
	Pittsburg State	MIAA	10–1	20th	2022
	Central Missouri	MIAA	10–1	5th	2019
	Henderson State	GAC	9–2	4th	2015
	Indianapolis	GLVC	9–1	8th	2022
	Ferris State	GLIAC	8–2	14th	2022
Super Region 4	Colorado Mines	RMAC	11–0	9th	2022
	Western Colorado	RMAC	10–1	5th	2021
	Texas–Permian Basin	Lone Star	10–1	1st	—
	Augustana (SD)	NSIC	10–1	7th	2021
	Minnesota State	NSIC	9–2	14th	2022
	Bemidji State	NSIC	8–2	3rd	2022
	Central Washington	Lone Star	7–3	7th	2021

* — Indicates a team playing outside of its assigned super region.

Bracket

Super Region 1

First Round November 18, 2023 Campus sites			Second Round November 25, 2023 Campus sites			Quarterfinals December 2, 2023 Campus sites

			1	Tiffin*	35

			4	Slippery Rock	45
	East Stroudsburg	14

4	Slippery Rock*	45
						4	Slippery Rock*	16

						3	Kutztown	28
3	Kutztown*	38

	Virginia Union	15
			3	Kutztown	32

			2	Charleston (WV)*	31
	New Haven	44

2	Charleston (WV)*	52

Super Region 2

First Round November 18, 2023 Campus sites			Second Round November 25, 2023 Campus sites			Quarterfinals December 2, 2023 Campus sites

			1	Benedict*	25

			4	Lenoir–Rhyne	35
	Shepherd	17

4	Lenoir–Rhyne*	63
						4	Lenoir–Rhyne	35

						3	Valdosta State*	7
3	Valdosta State*	62

	Limestone	41
			3	Valdosta State	38

			2	Delta State*	31
	West Florida	14

2	Delta State*	48

Super Region 3

First Round November 18, 2023 Campus sites			Second Round November 25, 2023 Campus sites			Quarterfinals December 2, 2023 Campus sites

			1	Harding*	35

			4	Central Missouri	34
	Henderson State	14

4	Central Missouri*	56
						1	Harding*	7

						2	Grand Valley State	6
3	Pittsburg State*	35

	Indianapolis	14
			3	Pittsburg State	21

			2	Grand Valley State*	24
	Ferris State	14

2	Grand Valley State*	21

Super Region 4

First Round November 18, 2023 Campus sites			Second Round November 25, 2023 Campus sites			Quarterfinals December 2, 2023 Campus sites

			1	Colorado Mines*	56

			4	Augustana (SD)	10
	Minnesota State	24

4	Augustana (SD)*	51
						1	Colorado Mines*	38

							Central Washington	14
3	Texas–Permian Basin*	3

	Bemidji State	10
				Bemidji State*	17

				Central Washington	21
	Central Washington	16

2	Western Colorado*	13

Semifinals & Championship

Teams were re-seeded prior to semifinals.

Semifinals December 9, 2023 Hosted by higher seeded team			Championship December 16, 2023 McKinney, Texas

1	Colorado Mines	35

4	Kutztown	7
			1	Colorado Mines	7

			2	Harding	38
3	Lenoir–Rhyne	14

2	Harding	55

Bowl games

There were four bowl games, which featured teams that did not qualify for the Division II postseason tournament.

The schedule included the inaugural edition of the Florida Beach Bowl, contested between teams from the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) and Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), two conferences mostly consisting of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs).^[5]

Date	Time (EST)	Game	Site	Television	Teams	Affiliations	Results
Dec. 1	7:00 p.m.	America's Crossroads Bowl	Hammond Central High School Hammond, Indiana	No broadcast	McKendree (5–5) Ashland (8–3)	GLVC GMAC	Ashland 23 McKendree 20
Dec. 2	1:00 p.m.	Live United Bowl	Arkansas High School Texarkana, Arkansas		Southern Arkansas (9–2) Missouri Western (8–3)	GAC MIAA	Southern Arkansas 43 Missouri Western 27
Dec. 2	1:00 p.m.	Heritage Bowl	Tiger Stadium Corsicana, Texas		Southern Nazarene (6–5) Emporia State (8–3)	GAC MIAA	Emporia State 55 Southern Nazarene 24
Dec. 13	7:30 p.m.	Florida Beach Bowl	DRV PNK Stadium Fort Lauderdale, Florida	HBCU Go	Johnson C. Smith (7–3) Fort Valley State (7–3)	CIAA SIAC	Fort Valley State 23 Johnson C. Smith 10

Coaching changes

Preseason and in-season

This is restricted to coaching changes that took place on or after May 1, 2023, and will include any changes announced after a team's last regularly scheduled games but before its playoff games.

School	Outgoing coach	Date	Reason	Replacement	Previous position
Clark Atlanta	Willie Slater	October 2, 2023	Fired^[6]	Richard Moncrief	Clark Atlanta offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach (2022–2023)
St. Augustine's	Howard Feggins	October 13, 2023	Fired^[7]	Jody Owens	St. Augustine's defensive coordinator (2023)

End of season

This list includes coaching changes announced during the season that did not take effect until the end of the season.

School	Outgoing coach	Date	Reason	Replacement	Previous position
Morehouse	Gerard Wilcher	November 6, 2023	Fired^[8]	Terance Mathis^[9]	Fellowship Christian (GA) assistant coach (2021)
West Chester	Bill Zwaan	November 6, 2023	Retired^[10]	Duke Greco^[11]	Delaware Valley head coach (2014–2023)
Northeastern State	J. J. Eckert	November 13, 2023	Contract expired^[12]	Darrin Chiaverini	Chaffey College head coach (2023)
Mississippi College	John Bland	November 13, 2023	Resigned^[13]	Mike Kershaw^[14]	Rice wide receivers coach (2019–2023)
West Georgia	David Dean	November 13, 2023	Resigned^[15]	Joel Taylor^[16]	Mercer defensive coordinator (2020–2023)
Wingate	Joe Reich	November 14, 2023	Resigned (became school's athletic director)^[17]	Rashaan Jordan	Wingate defensive coordinator and linebackers coach (2013–2023)
Hillsdale	Keith Otterbein	November 14, 2023	Retired^[18]	Nate Shreffler	Hillsdale offensive coordinator (2011–2023)
UVA Wise	Dane Damron	November 14, 2023	Resigned^[19]	Gary Bass	Quincy head coach (2017–2023)
Southwestern Oklahoma State	Ruzell McCoy (interim)	November 16, 2023	Permanent replacement^[20]	Andrew Rice^[21]	Southern Arkansas offensive coordinator (2022–2023)
Lake Erie	DJ Boldin	November 21, 2023	Resigned	David Price	Tiffin assistant head coach, defensive coordinator, and defensive line coach (2023)
Clark Atlanta	Richard Moncrief (interim)	November 27, 2023	Permanent replacement^[22]	Teddy Keaton	Allen head coach (2018–2023)
Allen	Teddy Keaton	November 27, 2023	Hired by Clark Atlanta^[22]	Cedric Pearl	Alabama A&M defensive line coach (2022–2023)
William Jewell	Neil Linhart (interim)	November 28, 2023	Permanent replacement^[23]	Jason Ambroson	Smithville HS (MO) head coach (2015–2023)
Carson–Newman	Mike Clowney	November 29, 2023	Fired^[24]	Ashley Ingram	Navy assistant head coach and offensive line coach (2023)
Pittsburg State	Brian Wright	December 3, 2023	Hired by Northern Arizona^[25]	Tom Anthony	Pittsburg State assistant head coach and defensive coordinator (2022)
Benedict	Chennis Berry	December 7, 2023	Hired by South Carolina State^[26]	Ron Dickerson Jr.	West Florida offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach (2023)
Tusculum	Jerry Odom	December 8, 2023	Resigned^[27]	Billy Taylor^[28]	East Tennessee State associate head coach and defensive coordinator (2013–2023)
Midwestern State	Bill Maskill	December 10, 2023	Retired^[29]	Rich Renner	Midwestern State defensive coordinator (2008–2023)
Lincoln (MO)	Jermaine Gales	December 11, 2023	Hired as offensive coordinator by Alcorn State^[30]	Moses Harper^[31]	Nebraska–Kearney wide receivers coach (2023)
Tiffin	Cris Reisert	December 12, 2023	Hired by Gardner–Webb^[32]	Brett Ekkens	Saginaw Valley State offensive coordinator and offensive line coach (2022–2023)
Quincy	Gary Bass	December 13, 2023	Hired by UVA Wise^[33]	Jason Killday	Truman assistant head coach, offensive coordinator, and quarterbacks coach (2016–2023)
Fairmont State	Jason Woodman	December 19, 2023	Hired by Morehead State^[34]	Luke Barker	Charleston (WV) associate head coach and offensive coordinator (2021–2023)
Bluefield State	Tony Coaxum	January 10, 2024	Fired^[35]	Davon Morgan^[36]	Florida A&M defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach (2022–2023)
Lenoir–Rhyne	Mike Jacobs	January 18, 2024	Hired as head coach by Mercer^[37]	Doug Socha^[38]	Keiser head coach (2017–2023)
Truman	Gregg Nesbitt	February 9, 2024	Retired^[39]	Kellen Nesbitt (full season interim)^[40]	Truman assistant head coach, defensive coordinator, and special teams coordinator (2016–2023)
Limestone	Mike Furrey	February 29, 2024	Hired as wide receivers coach for South Carolina^[41]	Jerricho Cotchery^[42]	Limestone assistant head coach and wide receivers coach (2022–2023)

References

^ "DII adopts football proposals providing more season-of-competition flexibility, spring scrimmage opportunities" (Press release). NCAA. January 14, 2023. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
^ "Conference Carolinas Unveils Addition of Shorter University and Return of Football in 2025" (Press release). Conference Carolinas. January 26, 2023. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
^ December 2023 Report (PDF) (Report). NCAA Division II Championships Committee. December 14, 2023. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
^ "Defending national champion Ferris State begins 2023 at No. 1". afca.com. AFCA. August 14, 2023. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
^ "DRV PNK Stadium to Host Inaugural Florida Beach Bowl on Dec. 13". intermiamicf.com. Inter Miami CF Communications Department. October 9, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
^ "Clark Atlanta fires legendary coach Willie Slater". Sports Illustrated. October 2, 2023. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
^ "SAU releases Howard Feggins as Head Football Coach". Saint Augustine's University Athletics. October 13, 2023. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
^ Mosley, Kyle T. (November 6, 2023). "Morehouse College Fires Coach Gerard Wilcher". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
^ "Morehouse College Names NFL Veteran Terance Mathis as Head Coach of the Maroon Tigers Football Team". Morehouse College Athletics. February 2, 2024. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
^ "Bill Zwaan Announces His Retirement". West Chester University Athletics. November 11, 2023. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
^ "West Chester Tabs Duke Greco to Lead Gridiron Program". West Chester University Athletics. January 8, 2024. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
^ "Northeastern State University seeks new direction for Football Program". Northeastern State University Athletics. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
^ "Head Football Coach John Bland Steps Down". Mississippi College Athletics. November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
^ "Mississippi College Welcomes Mike Kershaw as Head Coach of Football Program". Mississippi College Athletics. December 19, 2023. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
^ "UWG's David Dean Stepping Down After Successful Tenure in Football Program". UWG Wolves | Athletic Programs | Official Athletics Site. November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
^ "UWG Football Names New Head Coach". UWG Wolves | Athletic Programs | Official Athletics Site. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
^ "Reich takes over as full-time Athletic Director; Rashaan Jordan named head football coach". Wingate University Athletics. November 14, 2023. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
^ "Hillsdale College football head coach Keith Otterbein announces retirement; assistant Nate Shreffler to take over". hillsdalechargers.com. November 14, 2023.
^ "UVA Wise Partners with Mammoth Sports Consulting on Football Search". UVA Wise Cavaliers. November 14, 2023. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
^ "SWOSU Announces Search for New Head Football Coach". Southwestern Oklahoma State University Athletics. November 16, 2023. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
^ "Andrew Rice Named New Head Football Coach at SWOSU". Southwestern Oklahoma State University Athletics. December 13, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
^ ^a ^b "Clark Atlanta University Selects Teddy Keaton as Head Coach of Panthers Football". Clark Atlanta University Athletics. November 27, 2023. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
^ Samuels, Doug (November 28, 2023). "Sources: William Jewell opening national search for new head coach". Footballscoop. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
^ "Pope makes leadership change in Carson-Newman's football program". November 29, 2023.
^ "Anthony Returns to Lead Pitt State Football Program". December 3, 2023.
^ Gaither, Steven J. (December 7, 2023). "HBCU football coaching landscape shifts with SC State hire". HBCU Gameday. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
^ "Odom steps down as head football coach". December 8, 2023. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
^ "Billy Taylor named Tusculum head football coach". tusculumpioneers.com. Tusculum University Athletics. December 22, 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
^ "Maskill announces retirement following successful 22-year run". MSU Athletics. December 10, 2023. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
^ "Gales Steps Down as Lincoln Football Coach". Lincoln University Athletics. December 11, 2023. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
^ "Moses Harper Named Head Football Coach of the Blue Tigers". Lincoln University Athletics. January 17, 2024. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
^ Samuels, Doug (December 12, 2023). "Gardner-Webb hiring one of the top Division II coaches". Footballscoop. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
^ "GARY BASS NAMED FIFTH FOOTBALL COACH IN SCHOOL HISTORY". UVA Wise Cavaliers. December 13, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
^ "Morehead State Welcomes Jason Woodman as Head Football Coach". msueagles.com. Morehead State University Athletics. December 19, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
^ "Bluefield State University fires coach who restarted program". HBCU Gameday. January 9, 2024. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
^ "Bluefield State hires former FAMU coordinator as HC". HBCU Gameday. March 5, 2024. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
^ "Mercer Announces Mike Jacobs As Football Head Coach". Mercer University Athletics. January 18, 2024. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
^ "Doug Socha named Lenoir-Rhyne Football Head Coach". Lenoir-Rhyne University Athletics. January 29, 2024. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
^ "Gregg Nesbitt To Retire From Truman Football Program". Truman State University Athletics. February 9, 2024. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
^ "Kellen Nesbitt Tabbed Interim Head Football Coach For 2024 Season". Truman State University Athletics. February 15, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
^ "Mike Furrey Named Gamecocks' Wide Receivers Coach". University of South Carolina Athletics. February 29, 2024. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
^ "Former NFL Wide Receiver Jerricho Cotchery Named New Head Football Coach at Limestone University". Limestone University Athletics. February 29, 2024. Retrieved February 29, 2024.

[1] "DII adopts football proposals providing more season-of-competition flexibility, spring scrimmage opportunities" (Press release). NCAA. January 14, 2023. Retrieved October 16, 2023.

[2] "Conference Carolinas Unveils Addition of Shorter University and Return of Football in 2025" (Press release). Conference Carolinas. January 26, 2023. Retrieved January 28, 2023.

[3] December 2023 Report (PDF) (Report). NCAA Division II Championships Committee. December 14, 2023. Retrieved December 14, 2023.

[4] "Defending national champion Ferris State begins 2023 at No. 1". afca.com. AFCA. August 14, 2023. Retrieved August 14, 2023.

[5] "DRV PNK Stadium to Host Inaugural Florida Beach Bowl on Dec. 13". intermiamicf.com. Inter Miami CF Communications Department. October 9, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2023.

[6] "Clark Atlanta fires legendary coach Willie Slater". Sports Illustrated. October 2, 2023. Retrieved November 16, 2023.

[7] "SAU releases Howard Feggins as Head Football Coach". Saint Augustine's University Athletics. October 13, 2023. Retrieved November 16, 2023.

[8] Mosley, Kyle T. (November 6, 2023). "Morehouse College Fires Coach Gerard Wilcher". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 15, 2023.

[9] "Morehouse College Names NFL Veteran Terance Mathis as Head Coach of the Maroon Tigers Football Team". Morehouse College Athletics. February 2, 2024. Retrieved February 2, 2024.

[10] "Bill Zwaan Announces His Retirement". West Chester University Athletics. November 11, 2023. Retrieved November 16, 2023.

[11] "West Chester Tabs Duke Greco to Lead Gridiron Program". West Chester University Athletics. January 8, 2024. Retrieved January 10, 2024.

[12] "Northeastern State University seeks new direction for Football Program". Northeastern State University Athletics. Retrieved November 17, 2023.

[13] "Head Football Coach John Bland Steps Down". Mississippi College Athletics. November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 15, 2023.

[14] "Mississippi College Welcomes Mike Kershaw as Head Coach of Football Program". Mississippi College Athletics. December 19, 2023. Retrieved December 19, 2023.

[15] "UWG's David Dean Stepping Down After Successful Tenure in Football Program". UWG Wolves | Athletic Programs | Official Athletics Site. November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 15, 2023.

[16] "UWG Football Names New Head Coach". UWG Wolves | Athletic Programs | Official Athletics Site. Retrieved December 3, 2023.

[17] "Reich takes over as full-time Athletic Director; Rashaan Jordan named head football coach". Wingate University Athletics. November 14, 2023. Retrieved November 15, 2023.

[18] "Hillsdale College football head coach Keith Otterbein announces retirement; assistant Nate Shreffler to take over". hillsdalechargers.com. November 14, 2023.

[19] "UVA Wise Partners with Mammoth Sports Consulting on Football Search". UVA Wise Cavaliers. November 14, 2023. Retrieved November 15, 2023.

[20] "SWOSU Announces Search for New Head Football Coach". Southwestern Oklahoma State University Athletics. November 16, 2023. Retrieved November 26, 2023.

[21] "Andrew Rice Named New Head Football Coach at SWOSU". Southwestern Oklahoma State University Athletics. December 13, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2023.

[:0-22] "Clark Atlanta University Selects Teddy Keaton as Head Coach of Panthers Football". Clark Atlanta University Athletics. November 27, 2023. Retrieved November 29, 2023.

[23] Samuels, Doug (November 28, 2023). "Sources: William Jewell opening national search for new head coach". Footballscoop. Retrieved December 14, 2023.

[24] "Pope makes leadership change in Carson-Newman's football program". November 29, 2023.

[25] "Anthony Returns to Lead Pitt State Football Program". December 3, 2023.

[26] Gaither, Steven J. (December 7, 2023). "HBCU football coaching landscape shifts with SC State hire". HBCU Gameday. Retrieved December 7, 2023.

[27] "Odom steps down as head football coach". December 8, 2023. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)

[28] "Billy Taylor named Tusculum head football coach". tusculumpioneers.com. Tusculum University Athletics. December 22, 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2023.

[29] "Maskill announces retirement following successful 22-year run". MSU Athletics. December 10, 2023. Retrieved December 11, 2023.

[30] "Gales Steps Down as Lincoln Football Coach". Lincoln University Athletics. December 11, 2023. Retrieved December 12, 2023.

[31] "Moses Harper Named Head Football Coach of the Blue Tigers". Lincoln University Athletics. January 17, 2024. Retrieved January 18, 2024.

[32] Samuels, Doug (December 12, 2023). "Gardner-Webb hiring one of the top Division II coaches". Footballscoop. Retrieved December 13, 2023.

[33] "GARY BASS NAMED FIFTH FOOTBALL COACH IN SCHOOL HISTORY". UVA Wise Cavaliers. December 13, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2023.

[34] "Morehead State Welcomes Jason Woodman as Head Football Coach". msueagles.com. Morehead State University Athletics. December 19, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2023.

[35] "Bluefield State University fires coach who restarted program". HBCU Gameday. January 9, 2024. Retrieved January 10, 2024.

[36] "Bluefield State hires former FAMU coordinator as HC". HBCU Gameday. March 5, 2024. Retrieved March 5, 2024.

[37] "Mercer Announces Mike Jacobs As Football Head Coach". Mercer University Athletics. January 18, 2024. Retrieved January 18, 2024.

[38] "Doug Socha named Lenoir-Rhyne Football Head Coach". Lenoir-Rhyne University Athletics. January 29, 2024. Retrieved January 29, 2024.

[39] "Gregg Nesbitt To Retire From Truman Football Program". Truman State University Athletics. February 9, 2024. Retrieved February 9, 2024.

[40] "Kellen Nesbitt Tabbed Interim Head Football Coach For 2024 Season". Truman State University Athletics. February 15, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2024.

[41] "Mike Furrey Named Gamecocks' Wide Receivers Coach". University of South Carolina Athletics. February 29, 2024. Retrieved February 29, 2024.

[42] "Former NFL Wide Receiver Jerricho Cotchery Named New Head Football Coach at Limestone University". Limestone University Athletics. February 29, 2024. Retrieved February 29, 2024.

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v t e NCAA football seasons
Pre-NCAA	1869 1870 1871 1872 1873 1874 1875 1876 1877 1878 1879 1880 1881 1882 1883 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905
NCAA pre-divisional	1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961
NCAA University Division	1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972
NCAA Division I	1973 1974 1975 1976 1977
NCAA Division I-A/FBS	1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
NCAA Division I-AA/FCS	1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
NCAA College Division	1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972
NCAA Division II	1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
NCAA Division III	1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024

D-II team wins over FCS teams

Conference changes and new programs

Headlines

Rankings

Preseason Poll

Conference standings

Super Region 1

Super Region 2

Super Region 3

Super Region 4

Postseason

Qualifiers

Bracket

Super Region 1

Super Region 2

Super Region 3

Super Region 4

Semifinals & Championship

Bowl games

Coaching changes

Preseason and in-season

End of season

See also

References