Azusa Pacific Cougars football

For information on all Azusa Pacific University sports, see Azusa Pacific Cougars.

Azusa Pacific Cougars football
First season	1965;60 years ago (1965)
Head coach	A.J. Parnell 1st season, 0–0 (–)
Stadium	Citrus Stadium (capacity: 10,000)
Field surface	FieldTurf
Location	Azusa, California, U.S.
NCAA division	Division II
Conference	Great Northwest Athletic Conference
Claimed national titles	2 (1 NAIA, 1 NCCAA)
Conference titles	4 (GNAC)
Colors	Brick and black [1]
Website	athletics.apu.edu

The Azusa Pacific Cougars football program is a dormant college football team that represents Azusa Pacific University. From 2012 to 2020, the team was a member of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference of NCAA Division II. Prior to the 2012 season, the Cougars had been an independent program in the NAIA. ^[2] The Cougars had 10 head coaches since their first recorded football game in 1965. ^[3] The most famous player to play for the Cougars is Christian Okoye.

Azusa Pacific University decided to end its football program in December 2020 due to financial restructuring. ^[4] The team was revived in March 2025 with plans of playing in NCAA Division III and the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference starting in 2026. ^[5]

Championships

National championships

Year	Association	Division	Head coach	Record	Opponent	Result
1998	NAIA (1)	Division I (1)	Vic Shealy	12–2	Olivet Nazarene	W, 17–14

Playoff appearances

NCAA Division II

The Cougars appeared in the Division II playoffs two times with an overall record of 0–2.

Year	Round	Opponent	Result
2016	First Round	Sioux Falls	L, 21–34
2018	First Round	Tarleton State	L, 0–58

Head coaches

Main article: List of Azusa Pacific Cougars head football coaches

Name	Term
Tom Nelson	1965
Dave Drake	1966
John Crandall	1967–1969
Bob Damewood	1970–1971
Jerry Sconce	1972–1977
Jim Milhon	1978–1994
Vic Shealy	1995–1998
Pete Shinnick	1999–2005
Victor Santa Cruz	2006–2019
Rudy Carlton	2020
AJ Parnell	2026

References

1. Azusa Pacific University Graphics Standards Guide (PDF). Retrieved March 23, 2017.
2. Aird, Donovan (June 5, 2008). "How the West was undone". Mustang Daily. p. 14. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
3. "Football-Azusa Pacific Year-by-Year" (PDF). Football Media Guide. Azusa Pacific University Athletics. May 22, 2009. Retrieved October 22, 2010.
4. "Football Draws to a Close at Azusa Pacific".
5. "APU Announces Return of Football, Transition to NCAA Division III" (Press release). Azusa Pacific University. March 17, 2025. Retrieved March 17, 2025.