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2023 NCAA Division I FCS football season#NCAA Division I playoff bracket

{{Short description|American college football season}}

{{for|the 2023 FBS season|2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}

{{Infobox NCAA Division I FCS season

| year = 2023

| image = NCAA logo.svg

| image_caption =

| number_of_teams = 128

| preseason_stats =

| regular_season = August 26 – December 2

| playoffs = November 25 – December 16

| nc_date = January 7, 2024

| championship = Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas

| champions = South Dakota State

| payton = Mark Gronowski, QB, South Dakota State

| buchanan = Terrell Allen, DE, Tennessee State

| stats_poll =

| coaches_poll =

}}

{{Multiple image

| header =

| align = right

| direction =

| total_width = 250

| perrow = 1/1

| image1 = UND_Hawks_and_ISU_Sycamores_honor_Military_Appreciation_Day_(8098000).jpg

| caption1 = Missouri Valley Conference: North Dakota Hawks vs. Indiana State Sycamores

| image2 = Georgetown Hoyas at Holy Cross Crusaders football line of scrimmage.jpg

| caption2 = Patriot League: Georgetown Hoyas vs. Holy Cross Crusaders

}}

The 2023 NCAA Division I FCS football season, part of college football in the United States, was organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level. The regular season began on August 26 and ended in November. The postseason began in November and ended on January 7, 2024, with the 2024 NCAA Division I Football Championship Game at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.{{Cite web |title=FCS Championship: Future dates and sites |url=https://www.ncaa.com/championships/football/fcs/future-info |access-date=2023-01-12 |website=www.ncaa.com |language=en}} South Dakota State repeated as champions, defeating Montana, 23–3.

Notable headlines

  • October 4 – The NCAA announced several major changes to Division I football recruiting and governance rules:{{cite press release |url=https://www.ncaa.org/news/2023/10/4/media-center-di-council-approves-changes-to-notification-of-transfer-windows.aspx |title=DI Council approves changes to notification-of-transfer windows |publisher=NCAA |date=October 4, 2023 |access-date=October 7, 2023}}
  • The window for athletes to enter the transfer portal was reduced. For FCS players, the portal now opens on the Monday after the selection of the playoff field, and stays open for 30 days. For players participating in the FCS playoffs or the Celebration Bowl, there will be an additional 5-day window after the players' final game.
  • The limit on "initial counters"—i.e., players who are receiving athletically-related financial aid for the first time—was permanently eliminated. The previous FCS limit of 30 had been suspended due to COVID-19 impacts.
  • The application fee for transitioning from FCS to FBS increased from $5,000 to $5 million, effective immediately.
  • October 12 – Northwestern State junior safety Ronnie Caldwell died after being shot multiple times near the school's Natchitoches, Louisiana campus.{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/38644510/ronnie-caldwell-leader-northwestern-state-football-team-dies |title=Northwestern State's Ronnie Caldwell dies in shooting |website=ESPN.com |date=October 12, 2023 |access-date=October 13, 2023}} Two weeks after the shooting, Northwestern State canceled the remainder of its season, and head coach Brad Laird resigned.{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/38751552/northwestern-st-halts-season-coach-resigns-ronnie-caldwell-death |title=Northwestern St. halts season, coach resigns after player's death |first=Dave |last=Wilson |website=ESPN.com |date=October 26, 2023 |access-date=October 26, 2023}}

FCS team wins over FBS teams

September 9: Southern Illinois 14, Northern Illinois 11

September 9: Fordham 40, Buffalo 37

September 9: Idaho 33, Nevada 6

September 16: Sacramento State 30, Stanford 23

Conference changes and new programs

  • The Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN) and Western Athletic Conference, which had created the WAC-ASUN Challenge in 2021, merged their football leagues effective in 2023.{{cite press release|url=https://wacsports.com/sports/fball/2022-23/releases/2023fbconfschedule |title=ASUN And WAC Unveil 2023 Football Schedule |publisher=Western Athletic Conference |date=December 20, 2022 |access-date=December 22, 2022}} In April 2023, the partnership was formally rebranded as the United Athletic Conference (UAC), a football-only league separate from the two conferences.{{cite press release|url=https://wacsports.com/sports/fball/2022-23/releases/uacfbrelease |title=ASUN-WAC Football Partnership Formally Rebrands As The United Athletic Conference |publisher=Western Athletic Conference |date=April 17, 2023 |access-date=April 17, 2023}} The NCAA denied the UAC's request to be classified as a single-sport FCS football conference,{{cite news|url=https://theathletic.com/4460388/2023/04/27/united-athletic-conference-ncaa-waiver-request-denied/|title=United Athletic Conference NCAA waiver request denied|date=April 27, 2023|agency=The Athletic|author=Vannini, Chris|accessdate=July 5, 2023|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705052650/https://theathletic.com/4460388/2023/04/27/united-athletic-conference-ncaa-waiver-request-denied/|archivedate=July 5, 2023}} but continued to recognize the organization as an extension of the WAC-ASUN Challenge.
  • The Big South Conference and Ohio Valley Conference also merged their football leagues effective in 2023, but without attempting to create a new independent league, instead adopting the name Big South–OVC Football Association. Like the ASUN and WAC, both conferences were in danger of falling below the minimum six members required to remain an automatic qualifier (AQ) for the FCS postseason.{{cite press release|url=http://ovcsports.com/news/2022/2/22/big-south-conference-and-ovc-announce-football-agreement.aspx |title=Big South Conference and OVC Announce Football Agreement; Unique Association to Benefit All Football Members |publisher=Ohio Valley Conference |date=February 22, 2022 |accessdate=February 23, 2022}}
  • The Colonial Athletic Association, along with its (technically-separate) FCS football league, adopted the name Coastal Athletic Association, a change that did not affect the CAA branding.{{cite web |url=https://caasports.com/news/2023/7/20/baseball-caa-changes-official-conference-name-to-coastal-athletic-association.aspx |title=CAA Changes Official Conference Name To Coastal Athletic Association |last=Washburn |first=Rob |date=July 20, 2023 |website=CAAsports.com |publisher=Coastal Athletic Association |access-date=July 20, 2023 |quote=The name change will carry over to the league’s football conference, which will be officially recognized as the Coastal Athletic Association Football Conference but continue to be referred to as the CAA Football Conference.}}

class="wikitable sortable"
School2022 conference2023 conference
style="text-align:center;"
style="text-align:center;"

| Abilene Christian

WACrowspan="2" | United
style="text-align:center;"

| Austin Peay

ASUN
style="text-align:center;"

| Campbell

Big SouthCAA
style="text-align:center;"

| Central Arkansas

rowspan="2" | ASUNrowspan="2" | United
style="text-align:center;"

| Eastern Kentucky

style="text-align:center;

| Jacksonville State

ASUN (FCS)C-USA (FBS)
style="text-align:center;

| Kennesaw State

ASUNFCS Independent
style="text-align:center;

| Murray State

Ohio ValleyMVFC
style="text-align:center;"

| North Alabama

ASUNUnited
style="text-align:center;

| North Carolina A&T

Big SouthCAA
style="text-align:center;

| Sam Houston State

WAC (FCS)C-USA (FBS)
style="text-align:center;"

| Southern Utah

rowspan="4" | WACrowspan="4" | United
style="text-align:center;"

| Tarleton State

style="text-align:center;"

| Stephen F. Austin

style="text-align:center;"

| Utah Tech

Conference standings

cellpadding="5"

|valign="top" width=25em|{{2023 Big Sky Conference football standings}}

|valign="top" width=25em|{{2023 Big South–OVC football standings}}

|valign="top" width=25em|{{2023 Coastal Athletic Association football standings}}

valign="top" width=25em|{{2023 Ivy League football standings}}

|valign="top" width=25em|{{2023 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference football standings}}

|valign="top" width=25em|{{2023 Missouri Valley Football Conference standings}}

valign="top" width=25em|{{2023 Northeast Conference football standings}}

|valign="top" width=25em|{{2023 Patriot League football standings}}

|valign="top" width=25em|{{2023 Pioneer Football League standings}}

valign="top" width=25em|{{2023 Southern Conference football standings}}

|valign="top" width=25em|{{2023 Southland Conference football standings}}

|valign="top" width=25em|{{2023 Southwestern Athletic Conference football standings}}

valign="top" width=25em|{{2023 United Athletic Conference standings}}

|valign="top" width=25em|{{2023 NCAA Division I FCS independents football standings}}

Playoff qualifiers

= Automatic berths for conference champions =

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center;"

!Conference

!Team

! data-sort-type="number" |Appearance

!Last bid

!Result of last appearance

Big Sky ConferenceMontana27th2022Second round - (L - North Dakota State)
Big South–OVCGardner–Webb2nd2022Second round - (L - William & Mary)
CAA FootballVillanova15th2021Quarterfinal - (L - South Dakota State)
Missouri Valley Football ConferenceSouth Dakota State13th2022National Champions (W - North Dakota State)
Northeast ConferenceDuquesne3rd2018Second round - (L - South Dakota State)
Patriot LeagueLafayette5th2013First round - (L - New Hampshire)
Pioneer Football LeagueDrake1stNoneNone
Southern ConferenceFurman20th2022Second round - (L - Incarnate Word)
Southland ConferenceNicholls7th2019Second round - (L - North Dakota State)
United Athletic ConferenceAustin Peay2nd2019Quarterfinals - (L - Montana State)

= At large qualifiers =

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center;"

!Conference

!Team

! data-sort-type="number" |Appearance

!Last bid

!Result of last appearance

rowspan="3" | Big Sky ConferenceIdaho13th2022First round (L - Southeastern Louisiana)
Montana State13th2022Semifinal (L - South Dakota State)
Sacramento State4th2022Quarterfinal (L - Incarnate Word)
rowspan="3" | CAA FootballAlbany3rd2019Second round (L - Montana State)
Delaware19th2022Second round (L - South Dakota State)
Richmond13th2022Second round (L - Sacramento State)
rowspan="5" | Missouri Valley Football ConferenceNorth Dakota5th2022First round (L - Weber State)
North Dakota State14th2022National Runner-up (L - South Dakota State)
South Dakota3rd2021First round (L - Southern Illinois)
Southern Illinois11th2021Second round (L - North Dakota State)
Youngstown State13th2016National Runner-up (L - James Madison)
Mid-Eastern Athletic ConferenceNorth Carolina Central1stNoneNone
rowspan="2" | Southern ConferenceChattanooga5th2016Second round (L - Sam Houston State)
Mercer1stNoneNone

= Abstentions =

Postseason

The FCS again featured a 24-team postseason bracket: 10 teams decided via automatic bids issued to conference champions, and 14 at-large bids (see above). The top eight teams were seeded and received a bye to the second round.{{Cite web|url=https://herosports.com/fcs-football-2022-playoff-predictions-7-bzbz/|title=2022 FCS Bracketology 7.0 — Playoff Predictions (11-7-2022)|first=Sam|last=Herder|date=November 7, 2022|website=herosports.com}}

=Bowl game=

class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;"
Date

!Time (EST)

!Game

!Site

!Television

!Teams

!Affiliations

!Results

Dec. 16

|12:00 p.m.

|Celebration Bowl

|Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Atlanta, Georgia

|USA: ABC
Canada: TSN2

|Florida A&M (11–1)
Howard (6–5)

|SWAC
MEAC

|Florida A&M 30
Howard 26

=NCAA Division I playoff bracket=

{{24TeamBracket-Byes2|compact=y|nowrap=y

| RD1=First Round
November 25
Campus sites
ESPN+

| RD2=Second Round
December 2
Campus sites
ESPN+

| RD3=Quarterfinals
December 8/9
Campus sites
ABC, ESPN Networks

| RD4=Semifinals
December 15/16
Campus sites
ESPN2

| RD5=National Championship
January 7
2 p.m. EST
Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas
ABC, ESPN+

| boldwinner = high

| RD1-team1 = Gardner–Webb

| RD1-score1= 7

| RD1-team2 = Mercer

| RD1-score2= 17

| RD1-seed1=

| RD1-seed2=

| RD1-team3 = Duquesne

| RD1-score3= 7

| RD1-team4 = Youngstown State

| RD1-score4= 40

| RD1-seed3=

| RD1-seed4=

| RD1-team5 = North Carolina Central

| RD1-score5= 27

| RD1-team6 = Richmond

| RD1-score6= 49

| RD1-seed5=

| RD1-seed6=

| RD1-team7 = Nicholls

| RD1-score7= 0

| RD1-team8 = Southern Illinois

| RD1-score8= 35

| RD1-seed7=

| RD1-seed8=

| RD1-team9 = Sacramento State

| RD1-score9 = 42

| RD1-team10 = North Dakota

| RD1-score10= 35

| RD1-seed9=

| RD1-seed10=

| RD1-team11 = Drake

| RD1-score11= 3

| RD1-team12 = North Dakota State

| RD1-score12= 66

| RD1-seed11=

| RD1-seed12=

| RD1-team13 = Chattanooga

| RD1-score13= 24

| RD1-team14 = Austin Peay

| RD1-score14= 21

| RD1-seed13=

| RD1-seed14=

| RD1-team15 = Lafayette

| RD1-score15= 34

| RD1-team16 = Delaware

| RD1-score16= 36

| RD1-seed15=

| RD1-seed16=

| RD2-seed1 = 1

| RD2-team1 = South Dakota State

| RD2-score1= 41

| RD2-team2 = Mercer

| RD2-score2= 0

| RD2-seed3 = 8

| RD2-team3 = Villanova

| RD2-score3= 45

| RD2-team4 = Youngstown State

| RD2-score4= 28

| RD2-seed5 = 5

| RD2-team5 = Albany

| RD2-score5= 41

| RD2-team6 = Richmond

| RD2-score6= 13

| RD2-seed7 = 4

| RD2-team7 = Idaho

| RD2-score7= 20OT

| RD2-team8 = Southern Illinois

| RD2-score8= 17

| RD2-seed9 = 3

| RD2-team9 = South Dakota

| RD2-score9 = 34

| RD2-team10 = Sacramento State

| RD2-score10= 24

| RD2-seed11 = 6

| RD2-team11 = Montana State

| RD2-score11= 34

| RD2-team12 = North Dakota State

| RD2-score12= 35OT

| RD2-seed13 = 7

| RD2-team13 = Furman

| RD2-score13= 26

| RD2-team14 = Chattanooga

| RD2-score14= 7

| RD2-seed15 = 2

| RD2-team15 = Montana

| RD2-score15= 49

| RD2-team16 = Delaware

| RD2-score16= 19

| RD3-seed1 = 1

| RD3-team1 = South Dakota State

| RD3-score1= 23

| RD3-seed2 = 8

| RD3-team2 = Villanova

| RD3-score2= 12

| RD3-seed3 = 5

| RD3-team3 = Albany

| RD3-score3= 30

| RD3-seed4 = 4

| RD3-team4 = Idaho

| RD3-score4 = 22

| RD3-seed5 = 3

| RD3-team5 = South Dakota

| RD3-score5= 17

| RD3-seed6 =

| RD3-team6 = North Dakota State

| RD3-score6= 45

| RD3-seed7 = 7

| RD3-team7 = Furman

| RD3-score7= 28

| RD3-seed8 = 2

| RD3-team8 = Montana

| RD3-score8= 35OT

| RD4-seed1 = 1

| RD4-team1 = South Dakota State

| RD4-score1= 59

| RD4-seed2 = 5

| RD4-team2 = Albany

| RD4-score2= 0

| RD4-seed3 =

| RD4-team3 = North Dakota State

| RD4-score3= 29

| RD4-seed4 = 2

| RD4-team4 = Montana

| RD4-score4= 312OT

| RD5-seed1 = 1

| RD5-team1 = South Dakota State

| RD5-score1= 23

| RD5-seed2 = 2

| RD5-team2 = Montana

| RD5-score2= 3

}}

Source:{{cite web |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-football/news/fcs-playoff-bracket-2023-schedule-channels-scores-football/33e6e69b25dd9bbe8629be30 |title=FCS playoff bracket 2023: Full schedule, TV channels, scores for college football games |first=Dan |last=Treacy |website=The Sporting News |date=November 19, 2023 |accessdate=November 24, 2023}}

Rankings

{{main|2023 NCAA Division I FCS football rankings}}

The top 25 from the Stats Perform and USA Today Coaches Polls.

=Pre-season polls=

style="vertical-align:top;"

|

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"

!colspan=2| Stats Perform

Ranking

!Team

1

| align=left| South Dakota State (56)

2

| align=left| North Dakota State

3

| align=left| Montana State

4

| align=left| William & Mary

5

| align=left| Holy Cross

6

| align=left| Furman

7

| align=left| Incarnate Word

8

| align=left| Idaho

9

| align=left| Samford

10

| align=left| Sacramento State

11

| align=left| New Hampshire

12

| align=left| Southeast Missouri State

13

| align=left| Weber State

14

| align=left| Montana

15

| align=left| Southeastern Louisiana

16

| align=left| UC Davis

17

| align=left| North Dakota

18

| align=left| Richmond

19

| align=left| North Carolina Central

20

| align=left| Mercer

21

| align=left| Rhode Island

22

| align=left| Delaware

23

| align=left| Northern Iowa

24

| align=left| Eastern Kentucky

25

| align=left| Gardner–Webb

|

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"

!colspan=2| USA Today Coaches

Ranking

!Team

1

| align=left| South Dakota State (24)

2

| align=left| North Dakota State (1)

3

| align=left| Montana State

4

| align=left| William & Mary

5

| align=left| Holy Cross

6

| align=left| Furman

7

| align=left| Incarnate Word

8

| align=left| Sacramento State

9

| align=left| Samford

10

| align=left| Weber State

11

| align=left| Southeast Missouri State

12

| align=left| New Hampshire

13

| align=left| Idaho

14

| align=left| Montana

15

| align=left| Southeastern Louisiana

16

| align=left| Richmond

17

| align=left| UC Davis

18

| align=left| North Dakota

19

| align=left| North Carolina Central

20

| align=left| Northern Iowa

21

| align=left| Delaware

22

| align=left| Mercer

23

| align=left| Rhode Island

24

| align=left| Gardner–Webb

25

| align=left| Florida A&M

|}

Kickoff games

The regular season began on Saturday, August 26 with three games in Week 0:

Regular season top 10 matchups

Rankings reflect the Stats Perform Poll.

Upsets

This section lists instances of unranked teams defeating ranked teams during the season.

=Regular season=

During the regular season, 33 unranked teams defeated ranked teams.

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. For coaching changes that occurred earlier in 2023, see 2022 NCAA Division I FCS end-of-season coaching changes.

class="wikitable sortable"
School

! Outgoing coach

! Date

! Reason

! Replacement

Columbia

| Al Bagnoli

| August 4, 2023

| Retired{{cite press release|url=https://gocolumbialions.com/news/2023/8/4/football-al-bagnoli-announces-retirement-from-coaching.aspx|title=Al Bagnoli Announces Retirement from Coaching|publisher=Columbia Lions|date=August 4, 2023|access-date=August 5, 2023}}

| Mark Fabish (interim)

Dartmouth

| Buddy Teevens

| September 19, 2023

| Died{{cite press release|url=https://home.dartmouth.edu/news/2023/09/dartmouth-announces-death-buddy-teevens-79|title=Dartmouth Announces Death of Buddy Teevens '79|publisher=Dartmouth College|date=September 19, 2023|access-date=September 19, 2023}}

| Sammy McCorkle (named full time on October 19)

Northwestern State

| Brad Laird

| October 26, 2023

| Resigned

| Weston Glaser (interim)

Southern

| Eric Dooley

| November 14, 2023

| Fired{{cite news|url=https://hbcusports.com/2023/11/14/southern-university-fires-eric-dooley-after-less-than-two-full-seasons/|title=Southern University fires Eric Dooley after less than two full seasons|website=hbcusports.com|date=November 14, 2023|access-date=November 15, 2023}}

| Terrence Graves (named full time on December 12)

=End of season=

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

class="wikitable sortable"
School

! Outgoing coach

! Date

! Reason

! Replacement

! Previous position

South Carolina State

| Oliver Pough

| August 24, 2023

| Retired (effective at season's end){{cite press release|url=https://www.scsuathletics.com/news/2023/8/24/football-sc-states-head-football-coach-buddy-pough-to-retire-after-2023-season.aspx|title=SC State’s head football coach Buddy Pough to retire after 2023 season|publisher=South Carolina State Bulldogs|first=Sam|last=Watson|date=August 24, 2023|access-date=August 25, 2023}}

| Chennis Berry

| Benedict head coach (2020–2023)

Stony Brook

| Chuck Priore

| November 13, 2023

| Fired{{cite press release|url=https://stonybrookathletics.com/news/2023/11/13/chuck-priore-will-not-return-as-stony-brook-football-head-coach.aspx|title=Chuck Priore Will Not Return as Stony Brook Football Head Coach|publisher=Stony Brook Seawolves|date=November 13, 2023|access-date=November 13, 2023}}

| Billy Cosh

| Western Michigan offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach (2023)

East Tennessee State

| George Quarles

| November 19, 2023

| Fired{{cite press release|url=https://etsubucs.com/news/2023/11/19/football-etsu-makes-leadership-change-with-football-program.aspx|title=ETSU makes leadership change with football program|publisher=East Tennessee State Buccaneers|date=November 19, 2023|access-date=November 19, 2023}}

| Tre Lamb

| Gardner–Webb head coach (2020–2023)

Cornell

| David Archer

| November 19, 2023

| Fired{{cite press release|url=https://cornellbigred.com/news/2023/11/19/cornell-announces-change-in-football-leadership.aspx|title=Cornell Announces Change in Football Leadership|publisher=Cornell Big Red|date=November 19, 2023|access-date=November 20, 2023}}

| Dan Swanstrom

| Penn offensive coordinator (2022–2023)

Western Illinois

| Myers Hendrickson

| November 19, 2023

| Fired{{cite press release|url=https://goleathernecks.com/news/2023/11/19/leatherneck-football-to-make-changes.aspx|title=Leatherneck Football to Make Coaching Change|publisher=Western Illinois Leathernecks|date=November 19, 2023|access-date=November 20, 2023}}

| Joe Davis

| Eastern Illinois offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach (2022–2023)

Northern Arizona

| Chris Ball

| November 20, 2023

| Fired{{cite news|url=https://azdailysun.com/sports/local/ball-coaching-staff-out-at-northern-arizona-football/article_f69b4d94-87c3-11ee-a633-7fe548d256af.html|title=Northern Arizona severs ties with football head coach, staff|newspaper=Arizona Daily Sun|first=Eric|last=Newman|date=November 20, 2023|access-date=November 20, 2023}}

| Brian Wright

| Pittsburg State head coach (2020–2023)

Morehead State

| Rob Tenyer

| November 20, 2023

| Contract not renewed{{cite press release|url=https://msueagles.com/news/2023/11/20/contract-of-head-football-coach-rob-tenyer-will-not-be-renewed.aspx|title=Contract of Head Football Coach Rob Tenyer Will Not Be Renewed|publisher=Morehead State Eagles|first=Matt|last=Schabert|date=November 20, 2023|access-date=November 20, 2023}}

| Jason Woodman{{cite web|url=https://msueagles.com/news/2023/12/19/morehead-state-welcomes-jason-woodman-as-head-football-coach.aspx|title=Morehead State Welcomes Jason Woodman as Head Football Coach|website=msueagles.com|date=December 19, 2023|access-date=December 20, 2023|publisher=Morehead State University Athletics}}

| Fairmont State head coach (2013–2023)

Texas Southern

| Clarence McKinney

| November 20, 2023

| Contract not renewed{{cite news|url=https://hbcusports.com/2023/11/20/texas-southern-confirms-clarence-mckinney-will-not-return-next-season/|title=Texas Southern confirms Clarence McKinney will not return next season|website=hbcusports.com|date=November 20, 2023|access-date=November 20, 2023}}

| Cris Dishman{{Cite web |date=2024-01-12 |title=DISHMAN NAMED HEAD FOOTBALL COACH |url=https://tsusports.com/news/2024/1/12/football-dishman-named-head-football-coach.aspx |access-date=2024-01-12 |website=Texas Southern University Athletics |language=en}}

| Vegas Vipers defensive coordinator (2023)

Utah Tech

| Paul Peterson

| November 20, 2023

| Fired{{Cite web |date=2023-11-20 |title=Utah Tech Athletics Announces Change in Leadership for Trailblazer Football Program |url=https://utahtechtrailblazers.com/news/2023/11/20/utah-tech-athletics-announces-change-in-leadership-for-trailblazer-football-program.aspx |access-date=2023-11-29 |website=Utah Tech University Athletics |language=en}}

| Lance Anderson{{cite web|url=https://utahtechtrailblazers.com/news/2023/12/8/lance-anderson-named-utah-tech-head-football-coach.aspx|title=Lance Anderson Named Utah Tech Head Football Coach|website=utahtechtrailblazers.com|date=December 8, 2023|access-date=December 8, 2023|publisher=Utah Tech University Athletics}}

| Boise State senior analyst (2023)

Tennessee Tech

| Dewayne Alexander

| November 21, 2023

| Fired{{cite news|url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/college/2023/11/21/tennessee-tech-football-coach-dewayne-alexander-fired-after-sixth-season/71667297007/|title=Tennessee Tech football coach Dewayne Alexander fired after six seasons|newspaper=The Tennessean|first=Mike|last=Organ|date=November 21, 2023|access-date=November 21, 2023}}

| Bobby Wilder

| Old Dominion head coach (2009–2019)

Gardner–Webb

| Tre Lamb

| November 27, 2023

| Hired by East Tennessee State{{cite press release|url=https://etsubucs.com/news/2023/11/27/football-etsu-names-tre-lamb-football-head-coach.aspx|title=ETSU names Tre Lamb football head coach|publisher=East Tennessee State Buccaneers|date=November 27, 2023|access-date=November 27, 2023}}

| Cris Reisert

| Tiffin head coach (2019–2023)

Grambling State

| Hue Jackson

| November 28, 2023

| Fired{{cite news|url=https://www.rustonleader.com/sports/hue-jackson-out-grambling-state|title=Hue Jackson out at Grambling State|website=rustonleader.com|first=Matt|last=Belinson|date=November 28, 2023|access-date=November 28, 2023}}

| Mickey Joseph

| Nebraska interim head coach (2022)

UC Davis

| Dan Hawkins

| November 28, 2023

| Resigned{{cite press release|url=https://ucdavisaggies.com/news/2023/11/28/dan-hawkins-stepping-down-as-aggie-head-football-coach.aspx|title=Dan Hawkins Stepping Down as Aggie Head Football Coach|publisher=UC Davis Aggies|date=November 28, 2023|access-date=November 28, 2023}}

| Tim Plough

| California tight ends coach (2023)

Northwestern State

| Weston Glaser (interim)

| November 28, 2023

| Permanent replacement{{cite press release|url=https://nsudemons.com/news/2023/11/28/demon-football-nsu-names-blaine-mccorkle-head-football-coach.aspx|title=NSU names Blaine McCorkle head football coach|publisher=Northwestern State Demons|first=Jason|last=Pugh|date=November 28, 2023|access-date=November 28, 2023}}

| Blaine McCorkle

| Belhaven head coach (2018–2023)

Marist

| Jim Parady

| November 29, 2023

| Retired{{cite press release|url=https://goredfoxes.com/news/2023/11/29/football-jim-parady-announces-retirement.aspx|title=Jim Parady Announces Retirement|publisher=Marist Red Foxes|first=Mike|last=Ferraro|date=November 29, 2023|access-date=November 29, 2023}}

|Mike Willis{{Cite web |date=2023-12-19 |title=Marist Hires Mike Willis as Head Football Coach |url=https://goredfoxes.com/news/2023/12/19/marist-hires-mike-willis-as-head-football-coach.aspx |access-date=2023-12-19 |website=Marist College Athletics |language=en}}

|Princeton assistant head coach, offensive coordinator, and tight ends coach (2020–2023)

Columbia

|Mark Fabish (interim)

|December 2, 2023

|Permanent replacement{{Cite web |date=2023-12-02 |title=Jon Poppe Named Head Football Coach |url=https://gocolumbialions.com/news/2023/12/2/jon-poppe-named-head-football-coach.aspx |access-date=2023-12-02 |website=Columbia University Athletics |language=en}}

|Jon Poppe

|Union (NY) head coach (2023)

Austin Peay

|Scotty Walden

|December 4, 2023

|Hired by UTEP{{cite web|url=https://utepminers.com/news/2023/12/4/utep-names-scotty-walden-head-football-coach.aspx|title=UTEP Names Scotty Walden Head Football Coach|publisher=UTEP Miners|date=December 4, 2023|access-date=December 4, 2023}}

|Jeff Faris

|UCLA tight ends coach (2022–2023)

Holy Cross

|Bob Chesney

|December 7, 2023

|Hired by James Madison{{cite web|url=https://jmusports.com/news/2023/12/7/bob-chesney-selected-to-lead-jmu-football-as-new-head-coach.aspx|title=Bob Chesney Selected to Lead JMU Football as New Head Coach|date=December 7, 2023|accessdate=December 7, 2023|website=jmusports.com|publisher=James Madison University Athletics}}

|Dan Curran

|Merrimack head coach (2013–2023)

North Dakota State

|Matt Entz

|December 10, 2023

|Hired as linebackers coach by USC{{cite web|url=https://gobison.com/news/2023/12/10/football-matt-entz-leaving-ndsu-after-fcs-playoffs.aspx|title=Matt Entz Leaving NDSU After FCS Playoffs|website=gobison.com|publisher=North Dakota State Bison|date=December 10, 2023|access-date=December 10, 2023}}

|Tim Polasek

|Wyoming offensive coordinator and offensive line coach (2021–2023)

Merrimack

|Dan Curran

|December 15, 2023

|Hired by Holy Cross{{cite web|url=https://goholycross.com/news/2023/12/15/football-curran-named-holy-cross-football-head-coach.aspx|title=CURRAN NAMED HOLY CROSS FOOTBALL HEAD COACH|date=December 15, 2023|accessdate=December 15, 2023|website=goholycross.com|publisher=Holy Cross Athletics}}

|Mike Gennetti

|Merrimack assistant head coach and defensive coordinator (2011–2023)

Campbell

|Mike Minter

|December 18, 2023

|Resigned{{cite press release|url=https://gocamels.com/news/2023/12/18/football-minter-resigns-as-head-football-coach.aspx|title=Minter resigns as head football coach|publisher=Campbell Fighting Camels|first=Jason|last=Williams|date=December 18, 2023|access-date=December 19, 2023}}

|Braxton Harris

|Houston Christian head coach (2023)

Alcorn State

|Fred McNair

|December 19, 2023

|Contract not renewed

|Cedric Thomas{{Cite web |date=2023-12-18 |title=Cedric Thomas Named Head Football Coach of Alcorn State University Braves |url=https://alcornsports.com/news/2023/12/19/general-cedric-thomas-named-head-football-coach-of-alcorn-state-university-braves.aspx |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=Alcorn State University Athletics |language=en}}

|Alcorn State defensive coordinator (2022–2023)

Florida A&M

|Willie Simmons

|January 1, 2024

|Hired as running backs coach by Duke{{cite press release|url=https://famuathletics.com/signingday/football/football/11/|title=Thank You Willie Simmons|publisher=Florida A&M Rattlers|date=January 1, 2024|access-date=January 1, 2024}}

|James Colzie III{{Cite web |title=Football - Saturday, January 27 - Coach James Colzie III |url=https://famuathletics.com/signingday/football-vs-football/14/ |access-date=2024-01-28 |website=famuathletics.com |language=en}}

|Florida A&M assistant head coach and cornerbacks coach (2023)

Murray State

|Dean Hood

|January 1, 2024

|Retired{{cite press release|url=https://goracers.com/news/2024/1/1/a-statement-from-director-of-athletics-nico-yantko-on-racers-football-head-coach-dean-hood|title=A Statement from Director of Athletics Nico Yantko on Racers Football Head Coach Dean Hood|publisher=Murray State Racers|date=January 1, 2024|access-date=January 1, 2024}}

|Jody Wright{{Cite web |title=Murray State Names Jody Wright 20th Head Coach of Racer Football |url=https://goracers.com/news/2024/1/10/murray-state-names-jody-wright-20th-head-coach-of-racer-football |access-date=2024-01-10 |website=Murray State University Athletics |language=en}}

|South Carolina tight ends coach (2022–2023)

Houston Christian

|Braxton Harris

|January 2, 2024

|Hired by Campbell{{cite web|url=https://gocamels.com/news/2024/1/2/football-campbell-names-braxton-harris-head-football-coach.aspx#:~:text=Braxton%20Harris%20becomes%20the%20third,football%20history%20(since%202008).|title=Campbell names Braxton Harris head football coach|website=gocamels.com|publisher=Campbell University Athletics|date=January 2, 2024|access-date=January 2, 2024}}

|Jason Bachtel{{Cite web |date=2023-12-31 |title=FB: HCU Names Jason Bachtel as New Head Football Coach |url=https://hcuhuskies.com/news/2024/1/4/fb-hcu-names-jason-bachtel-as-new-head-football-coach.aspx |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=Houston Christian University Athletics |language=en}}

|Houston Christian offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach (2023)

Mercer

|Drew Cronic

|January 9, 2024

|Hired as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach by Navy{{Cite web |date=2024-01-09 |title=Cronic Resigns As Mercer Football Head Coach |url=https://mercerbears.com/news/2024/1/9/cronic-resigns-as-mercer-football-head-coach.aspx |access-date=2024-01-10 |website=Mercer University Athletics |language=en}}

|Mike Jacobs{{Cite web |date=2024-01-18 |title=Mercer Announces Mike Jacobs As Football Head Coach |url=https://mercerbears.com/news/2024/1/18/mercer-announces-mike-jacobs-as-football-head-coach |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=Mercer University Athletics |language=en}}

|Lenoir–Rhyne head coach (2020–2023)

Harvard

|Tim Murphy

|January 17, 2024

|Retired{{Cite web |date=2024-01-17 |title=Football’s Murphy Announces Retirement After 30 Seasons at Helm |url=https://gocrimson.com/news/2024/1/17/footballs-murphy-announces-retirement-after-30-seasons-at-helm.aspx |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=Harvard University Athletics |language=en}}

|Andrew Aurich

|Rutgers tight ends coach (2023)

Hampton

|Robert Prunty

|April 30, 2024

|Fired{{cite news|url=https://www.pilotonline.com/2024/04/30/robert-prunty-no-longer-head-football-coach-at-hampton-university/|title=Robert Prunty no longer head football coach at Hampton University|newspaper=The Virginian-Pilot|first=Michael|last=Sauls|date=April 30, 2024|access-date=May 2, 2024}}

|Trenton Boykin (initially full-season interim, name full time on October 16)

|Hampton special teams coordinator and running backs coach (2020–2023)

Attendances

The top 30 NCAA Division I FCS football teams by average home attendance:

{{row counter|

class{{=}}"wikitable sortable"

!#!!College football team!!Average attendancehttps://herosports.com/fcs-football-2023-attendance-leaders-bzbz/

style{{=}}"text-align:center;"| _row_countJackson State Tigers30,060
style{{=}}"text-align:center;"| _row_countMontana Grizzlies26,269
style{{=}}"text-align:center;"| _row_countMontana State Bobcats21,610
style{{=}}"text-align:center;"| _row_countAlabama State Hornets19,690
style{{=}}"text-align:center;"| _row_countTarleton State Texans18,697
style{{=}}"text-align:center;"| _row_countSouth Dakota State Jackrabbits18,208
style{{=}}"text-align:center;"| _row_countFlorida A&M Rattlers17,616
style{{=}}"text-align:center;"| _row_countSouthern Jaguars17,465
style{{=}}"text-align:center;"| _row_countNorfolk State Spartans15,656
style{{=}}"text-align:center;"| _row_countDelaware Fightin' Blue Hens15,564
style{{=}}"text-align:center;"| _row_countNorth Dakota State Bison15,121
style{{=}}"text-align:center;"| _row_countSacramento State Hornets13,348
style{{=}}"text-align:center;"| _row_countAlabama A&M Bulldogs12,934
style{{=}}"text-align:center;"| _row_countAlcorn State Braves12,018
style{{=}}"text-align:center;"| _row_countWestern Carolina Catamounts11,935
style{{=}}"text-align:center;"| _row_countIdaho Vandals11,737
style{{=}}"text-align:center;"| _row_countEastern Kentucky Colonels11,655
style{{=}}"text-align:center;"| _row_countYale Bulldogs11,581
style{{=}}"text-align:center;"| _row_countHarvard Crimson11,555
style{{=}}"text-align:center;"| _row_countThe Citadel Bulldogs11,005
style{{=}}"text-align:center;"| _row_countSouth Carolina State Bulldogs10,661
style{{=}}"text-align:center;"| _row_countUC Davis Aggies10,562
style{{=}}"text-align:center;"| _row_countFurman Paladins10,467
style{{=}}"text-align:center;"| _row_countNorth Dakota Fighting Hawks10,288
style{{=}}"text-align:center;"| _row_countWilliam & Mary Tribe10,268
style{{=}}"text-align:center;"| _row_countYoungstown State Penguins10,065
style{{=}}"text-align:center;"| _row_countMercer Bears9,741
style{{=}}"text-align:center;"| _row_countMurray State Racers9,645
style{{=}}"text-align:center;"| _row_countNorth Carolina A&T Aggies9,582
style{{=}}"text-align:center;"| _row_countNorth Alabama Lions9,494
}}

See also

References

{{Reflist}}

{{NCAA football season navbox}}