The Jacksonville State Gamecocks football team represents Jacksonville State University located in Jacksonville, Alabama. The Gamecocks are a member of the NCAA FBS Conference USA and play their home games at Burgess-Snow Field at JSU Stadium in Jacksonville. The Gamecocks are currently coached by Charles Kelly.
On November 5, 2021, the school accepted an invitation to join Conference USA (C-USA) of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) beginning with the 2023 season.
Affiliations[]
- 2023-present - Conference USA (NCAA FBS)
- 2021-2022 - Atlantic Sun Conference (NCAA FCS)
- 2003-2020 - Ohio Valley Conference (NCAA FCS/1-AA)
- 1996-2002 - Southland Conference (NCAA 1-AA)
- 1993-1995 - NCAA Division II independent
- 1972-1992 - Gulf South Conference (NCAA Division II)
Seasons[]
2020s[]
| Season | Coach | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Charles Kelly | |
| 2024 | Rich Rodriguez; Rod Smith | 9-5 |
| 2023 | Rich Rodriguez | 9-4 |
| 2022 | Rich Rodriguez | 9-2 |
| 2021 | John Grass | 5-6 |
| 2020 | John Grass | 10-3 |
2010s[]
| Season | Coach | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | John Grass | 6-6 |
| 2018 | John Grass | 9-4 |
| 2017 | John Grass | 10-2 |
| 2016 | John Grass | 10-2 |
| 2015 | John Grass | 13-2 |
| 2014 | John Grass | 10-2 |
| 2013 | Bill Clark | 11-4 |
| 2012 | Jack Crowe | 6-5 |
| 2011 | Jack Crowe | 7-4 |
| 2010 | Jack Crowe | 9-3 |
2000s[]
| Season | Coach | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Jack Crowe | 8-3 |
| 2008 | Jack Crowe | 8-3 |
| 2007 | Jack Crowe | 6-5 |
| 2006 | Jack Crowe | 6-5 |
| 2005 | Jack Crowe | 6-5 |
| 2004 | Jack Crowe | 9-2 |
| 2003 | Jack Crowe | 8-4 |
| 2002 | Jack Crowe | 5-6 |
| 2001 | Jack Crowe | 5-6 |
| 2000 | Jack Crowe | 4-6 |
1990s[]
| Season | Coach | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Mike Williams; Jeff Richards | 2-9 |
| 1998 | Mike Williams | |
| 1997 | Mike Williams | |
| 1996 | ||
| 1995 | ||
| 1994 | ||
| 1993 | ||
| 1992 | ||
| 1991 | ||
| 1990 |
Championships[]
National championships[]
Jacksonville State has made four appearances in the NCAA Division II National Championship Game. The Gamecocks were defeated in their first three championship game appearances, losing 33–0 to Lehigh in 1977, 3–0 to Mississippi College in 1989 (later vacated), and 23–6 to Pittsburg State in 1991. The next year, the Gamecocks defeated Pittsburg State 17–13 in 1992, reversing the results in a rematch of their 1991 championship game.
| Season | Coach | Selector | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Bill Burgess | NCAA Division II National Football Championship | 12–1–1 |
Conference championships[]
Jacksonville State has won 25 conference championships, 18 outright and four shared.
| Season | Conference | Coach | Overall Record | Conference Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1962† | Alabama Collegiate Conference | Don Salls | 4–3–2 | 3–0–1 |
| 1963† | 4–4–1 | 3–0–1 | ||
| 1964 | 4–4–1 | 3–0 | ||
| 1965 | Jim Blevins | 7–2 | 3–0 | |
| 1966 | 8–2 | 3–0 | ||
| 1970 | Mid-South Conference | Charley Pell | 10–0 | 5–0 |
| 1974 | Gulf South Conference | Clarkie Mayfield | 7–4 | 7–1 |
| 1977 | Jim Fuller | 11–3 | 7–1 | |
| 1978 | 7–3 | 6–1 | ||
| 1981 | 8–3 | 6–0 | ||
| 1982 | 10–2 | 7–0 | ||
| 1988† | Bill Burgess | 10–2 | 7–1 | |
| 1989 | 13–1 | 8–0 | ||
| 1991 | 12–1 | 6–0 | ||
| 1992 | 12–1–1 | 5–0–1 | ||
| 2003 | Ohio Valley Conference | Jack Crowe | 8–4 | 7–1 |
| 2004 | 9–2 | 7–1 | ||
| 2011† | 7–4 | 6–2 | ||
| 2014 | John Grass | 10–2 | 8–0 | |
| 2015 | 13–2 | 8–0 | ||
| 2016 | 10–2 | 7–0 | ||
| 2017 | 10–2 | 8–0 | ||
| 2018 | 9–4 | 7–1 | ||
| 2020 | 10–3 | 6–1 | ||
| 2022 | ASUN Conference | Rich Rodriguez | 9–2 | 5–0 |
| 2024 | Conference USA | Rich Rodriguez | 9-4 | 7-1 |
† Co-championship
Bowl games[]
Jacksonville State has participated in nine bowl games, and has a record of 7–2. However, most of them are not Division I bowl games. Consequently, after joining Division I FBS, they participated in one bowl game, and has a record of 1–0.
| Season | Coach | Bowl | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1948 | Don Salls | Paper Bowl† | Troy | W 19–0 |
| 1949 | Don Salls | Paper Bowl† | West Alabama | W 12–7 |
| 1950 | Don Salls | Paper Bowl† | Pensacola Naval Alumni | L 6–7 |
| 1955 | Don Salls | Refrigerator Bowl† | Rhode Island | W 12–10 |
| 1966 | Jim Blevins | Space City Classic† | Arkansas–Monticello | W 41–30 |
| 1970 | Charley Pell | Orange Blossom Classic† | Florida A&M | W 21–7 |
| 1977 | Jim Fuller | Grantland Rice Bowl† | North Dakota State | W 31–7 |
| Jim Fuller | Pioneer Bowl† | Lehigh | L 0–33 | |
| 2023 | Rich Rodriguez | New Orleans Bowl | Louisiana | W 34–31 OT |
† non-Division I bowl game
Rivalries[]
Samford[]
Main article: Jacksonville State–Samford football rivalry
This unnamed rivalry started in 1904 back when Jacksonville wore blue and gold as the Eagle Owls and Samford University was still named Howard College. Jacksonville State leads the series 23–21–2.[citation needed][when?]
Troy[]
Main article: Battle for the Ol' School Bell
Jacksonville State used to play Troy in the annual Battle for the Ol' School Bell. The schools first played in 1924 and was one of the fiercest rivalries for both schools. The game hasn't been played since 2001 after Troy moved up to the FBS. Jacksonville State leads the series 32–29–2.[citation needed][when?]
Middle Tennessee[]
Main article: Middle Tennessee
The Gamecocks are 4-14-2 in the all-time series vs. MTSU. Both schools compete in Conference USA in the FBS.