Charleston Golden Eagles football

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Charleston Golden Eagles football
UC Golden Eagles logo.png
First season1904;121 years ago (1904)
Athletic directorBren Stevens
Head coachMike Tesch
1st season, 8–3 (.727)
Stadium UC Stadium at Laidley Field
(capacity: 18,500)
Year built1918
Location Charleston, West Virginia 
NCAA division Division II
Conference Mountain East
All-time record305–280–19 (.521)
Playoff record1–3 (.250)
Bowl record3–1 (.750)
Unclaimed national titles
1950
Playoff appearances
2015, 2023, 2024
Conference titles
WVIAC: 1938, 1941, 1942, 1948, 1950, 1951, 1953, 1954
MEC: 2023, 2024, 2025
Conference division titles
MEC South: 2020
Consensus All-Americans1
Rivalries Concord
Glenville State
West Virginia State
WVU Tech (defunct)
ColorsMaroon and gold [1]
   
MascotMoHarv
Marching bandUniversity of Charleston Band [2]
Outfitter Nike
Website Charleston Golden Eagles

The Charleston Golden Eagles football program represents the University of Charleston in college football at the NCAA Division II level as a member of the Mountain East Conference (MEC). [3] The Golden Eagles play their home games at University of Charleston Stadium at Laidley Field in Charleston, West Virginia.

Contents

History

The University of Charleston first fielded a football team in 1904, when the school was known as Morris Harvey College. The program competed as an independent before joining the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC) in 1924.

The 1950 team finished undefeated at 10–0 and defeated Emory and Henry 35–14 in the 1951 Tangerine Bowl. Under head coach Eddie King, the Golden Eagles won five WVIAC championships between 1948 and 1954, including an extended conference winning streak that began after a loss to West Virginia Tech in 1949 and continued without another conference defeat through the end of the 1956 season. [4] The university discontinued the football program following the 1956 season.

The 1950 Golden Eagles are recognized by the university as the “Unofficial Small College National Champions,” the only team in school history to receive a national designation. [5]

On November 19, 2002, the university announced that after a 47-year hiatus, football would be reinstated for the 2003 season, with the school rejoining the WVIAC and competing at the NCAA Division II level. Charleston played its first football game since 1956 against rival West Virginia Tech at Laidley Field, falling 17–21. Following the dissolution of the WVIAC in 2012, Charleston became a charter member of the newly formed Mountain East Conference (MEC) in 2013.

Under head coach Pat Kirkland, who took over in 2011, the Golden Eagles recorded a breakout season in 2015, finishing 10–2 and earning the program's first berth in the NCAA Division II Football Championship, placing No. 20 in the final national poll. [6] Kirkland led the program to six MEC runner-up finishes before departing for Jacksonville State following the 2021 season. Former UC player and assistant coach Quinn Sanders was hired in 2022.

The 2023 team finished 10–2, reached No. 19 in the national rankings, and captured the university's first MEC championship, securing its first NCAA postseason appearance since 2015. Charleston defeated New Haven in the first round before falling to Kutztown. The 2024 squad completed an undefeated regular season, climbed as high as No. 6 nationally, and averaged 43.9 points per game. [7] Junior running back Chavon Wright rushed for 2,235 yards and an NCAA Division II-record 38 rushing touchdowns, finishing as the runner-up for the Harlon Hill Trophy. [8] The team finished No. 15 following a first-round playoff loss to Ashland.

Following the 2024 season, head coach Quinn Sanders stepped down to become the offensive coordinator at Northern Illinois. Michael Tesch was named head coach for the 2025 campaign. The Golden Eagles entered the year ranked No. 14 nationally and finished 8–3, earning a share of the MEC title. [9]

Conference affiliations

Head coaches

Since its inception in 1904, Charleston has had 21 head coaches. [4]

YearsCoachRecordPct.Seasons
1904–1907Walter Ropp5–5.5004
1910–1913 Skeeter Shelton 8–10–3.4524
1917, 1921–1923 Herman R. Beckelheimer 12–19–2.3944
1919William W. Lovell1–5.1671
1920, 1926–1928Elbert M. Fulton13–21–1.3864
1924–1925Heyward J. Hindman1–10.0912
1929Arthur Rezzonico0–11.0001
1930Frank Arritt2–5–2.3331
1931 Gibby Welch 5–5.5001
1932–1933 Red Weaver 1–17.0562
1933–1935Walter Walker5–12–1.3063
1936 Homer C. Martin 0–9.0001
1937–1941Thurman Ward28–14–4.6525
1942 Cebe Ross 6–1–2.7781
1946 Alderson Propps 0–2.0001
1946–1956 Eddie King 63–33–4.65011
2003–2004 Mike Springston 5–16.2382
2005–2010 Tony DeMeo 43–23.6526
2011–2021Pat Kirkland70–41.63111
2022–2024 Quinn Sanders 27–8.7713
2025–presentMike Tesch8–3.7271

Championships

Conference

Throughout the history of the University of Charleston football program, the Golden Eagles have secured 11 conference championships, spanning multiple coaching eras and conference affiliations.

YearConferenceCoachRecordConference record
1938 WVIAC Thurman Ward8–1–17–0–1
1941†WVIACThurman Ward5–3–13–0–1
1942WVIAC Cebe Ross 6–1–24–0
1948WVIAC Eddie King 5–2–23–0–1
1950 WVIACEddie King10–05–0
1951 WVIACEddie King6–3–14–0
1953WVIACEddie King6–4–14–0
1954WVIACEddie King8–24–0
2023 MEC Quinn Sanders 10–28–1
2024 MECQuinn Sanders11–19–0
2025†MECMichael Tesch8–37–1
† Co-champions

Source: [10]

Division

For the 2020 season, the Mountain East Conference temporarily adopted a divisional format.

YearDivisionHead CoachOpponentCG Result
2020MEC SouthPat Kirkland Notre Dame (OH) L, 34–51

Source: [11]

Undefeated seasons

The 1950 Golden Eagles remain the only squad in school history to complete an undefeated season, finishing 10–0 and capping the year with a 35–14 victory over Emory and Henry in the 1951 Tangerine Bowl.

YearOverall RecordConf. RecordHead Coach
195010–05–0 Eddie King

Postseason

NCAA Division II playoffs

The Golden Eagles have made three appearances in the NCAA Division II playoffs with a combined record of 1–3.

YearRoundOpponentResult
2015First Round IUP L, 21–47
2023First Round
Second Round		 New Haven
Kutztown 		W, 52–44
L, 31–32
2024First Round Ashland L, 38–40

Bowl games

The Golden Eagles appeared in four bowl games between 1951 and 1954, finishing with a 3–1 record.

DateBowlW/LOpponentPFPA
January 1, 1951 Tangerine Bowl W Emory and Henry 3514
November 22, 1951 Burley Bowl W Lebanon Valley 2720
January 2, 1954 Elks Bowl W East Carolina 120
December 17, 1954 Cigar Bowl L Tampa 021
Total4 bowl games3–17455

National rankings

As of the end of the 2025 season, Charleston has ended the season ranked five times in either the AFCA poll or D2Football.com rankings.

YearRecordAFCAD2†
20099–223—
20129–225—
201510–220—
202310–21918
202411–11518

† D2football.com rankings began in 2019.

Individual awards and achievements

The Charleston Golden Eagles football program has produced numerous standout players and coaches throughout its history.

National awards

List of All-Americans

Since 1939, twenty-four Charleston players have earned All-America honors through the 2024 season. One was a consensus First Team honoree, indicated in bold.

  • 1939: Al Thacker (G)
  • 1941: Al Thacker (G)
  • 1950: Leon McCoy (C), Dewey Romine (HB), Charley Hubbard (End)
  • 1954: Fauster Vittone
  • 2006: Blake Burr (HB)
  • 2009: Chris Almonte (DE)
  • 2011: Jordan Roberts (RB)
  • 2012: Jordan Roberts (RB)
  • 2014: Justin Avery (LB), Torie Wagner (CB)
  • 2015: Brett Benes (P), Torie Wagner (CB), Justin Johnson (G)
  • 2016: Brett Benes (P), Justin Johnson (G)
  • 2017: Jalen Nelson (DL)
  • 2018: John Cominsky (DE), Kahzin Daniels (DE)
  • 2019: Mike Strachan (WR), Kei Beckham (CB)
  • 2021: Tyreik McAllister (RB)
  • 2022: Ninon Washington (CB), Chavon Wright (RB)
  • 2023: Chavon Wright (RB), Donovan McCollister (G), Nick Evans (DL), Javonte Howard (QB)
  • 2024: Donovan McCollister (G), Chavon Wright (RB), Cashawn Beasley (S)

Harlon Hill Trophy

  • 2024: Chavon Wright – 2nd place [12]

Conference awards

At the conclusion of the 2025 season, Charleston players have earned eight Offensive or Defensive Player of the Year awards, achieved by seven different athletes. One player has received Freshman of the Year honors, and Charleston coaches have earned five Coach of the Year awards.

Offensive Player of the Year

  • 2012: Jordan Roberts (RB)
  • 2021: Tyreik McAllister (RB)
  • 2023: Chavon Wright (RB)
  • 2024: Chavon Wright (RB)

Defensive Player of the Year

  • 2014: Justin Avery (LB)
  • 2018: John Cominsky (DE)
  • 2023: Nick Evans (DL)
  • 2025: Aden Miller (LB)

Offensive Freshman of the Year

  • 2022: Chavon Wright (RB)

Coach of the Year

  • 1954: Eddie King
  • 2005: Tony DeMeo (D2Football.com)
  • 2012: Pat Kirkland
  • 2023: Quinn Sanders
  • 2024: Quinn Sanders

Regional awards

Charleston competes in NCAA Division II Region 1.

D2CCA Region 1 Offensive Player of the Year

  • 2024: Chavon Wright (RB)

Hardman Award

  • 2024: Chavon Wright (RB)

All records per UC Athletics [13]

Year-by-year results

Legend

 † Conference champions
 ‡ Division champions
  Bowl game berth
  Playoff berth (NCAA DII)

List of Charleston Golden Eagles football seasons
SeasonTeam Head coach ConferenceDivisionRegular season resultsPostseason
OverallConference
WinLossTieWinLossTieFinish
Morris Harvey Golden Eagles (1904–1956)
1904 1904Walter RoppIndependent—30————— 
1905 190501————— 
1906 190601————— 
1907 190723————— 
1908 1908No Coach30————— 
1909 190903————— 
1910 1910 Skeeter Shelton 021————— 
1911 191143————— 
1912 191222————— 
1913 1913232————— 
1914 1914Unknown04————— 
1915 No team
1916 1916 UnknownIndependent—020—————
1917 1917 Herman R. Beckelheimer 241—————
1918 No team
1919 1919William W. LovellIndependent—15————— 
1920 1920Elbert M. Fulton52—————
1921 1921 Herman R. Beckelheimer 63—————
1922 1922441————— 
1923 192308—————
1924 1924Heyward J. Hindman WVIAC 04— 
1925 19251603DNQ—
1926 1926Elbert M. Fulton3603DNQ— 
1927 192734112DNQ—
1928 1928291611th— 
1929 1929Arthur Rezzonico0110814th— 
1930 1930Frank Arritt2521328th— 
1931 1931 Gibby Welch 55453rd—
1932 1932 Red Weaver 09047th—
1933 193318057th—
1934 1934Walter Walker3513213rd—
1935 193527244th
1936 1936 Homer C. Martin 09079th
1937 1937Thurman Ward54344th 
1938 1938 †8117011st 
1939 19395312214th 
1940 19405314113rd 
1941 1941 †531301T-1st 
1942 1942 † Cebe Ross 612401st 
1943 No team — World War II
1944
1945
1946 1946 Alderson Propps / Eddie King WVIAC—25237th 
1947 1947 Eddie King 45337th 
1948 1948 †5223011st 
1949 194972313rd 
1950 1950 †100501st Tangerine Bowl: (W) Emory and Henry, 12-0 
1951 1951 †631401st Burley Bowl: (W) Lebanon Valley, 27-20 
1952 195263402nd 
1953 1953 †641401st Elks Bowl: (W) East Carolina, 12-0
1954 1954 †82401st Cigar Bowl: (L) Tampa, 0-21
1955 19554520DNQ 
1956 19565410DNQ 
Totals (1904–1956)All-time:
153–188–19
(.451)		Conference:
70–66–8
(.514)		—Postseason:
3–1
(.750)
SeasonTeam Head coach ConferenceDivisionRegular season resultsPostseasonFinal ranking
OverallConferenceAFCAD2
WinLossFinishWinLoss
Charleston Golden Eagles (2003–present)
2003 2003 Mike Springston Independent—29––––——
2004 200437––––——
2005 2005 Tony DeMeo WVIAC833rd62———
2006 200656T–3rd43———
2007 200783T–2nd62———
2008 200874T–4th53———
2009 200992T–2nd62—23—
2010 201065T–5th44———
2011 2011Pat Kirkland56T–4th53———
2012 201292T–2nd62—25—
2013 2013 MEC 653rd63———
2014 201483T–3rd73———
2015 20151022nd91Lost NCAA Division II First Round vs. IUP, 21-4720—
2016 201638T–6th37———
2017 201746T–4th46———
2018 2018654th64———
2019 2019832nd73———
2020 2020 ‡South311st(South)30———
2021 2021—822nd82———
2022 2022 Quinn Sanders 65T–4th64———
2023 2023 †1021st81Won NCAA Division II First Round vs. New Haven, 52-44
Lost NCAA Division II Second Round vs. Kutztown, 31-32		1918
2024 2024 †1111st90Lost NCAA Division II First Round vs. Ashland, 38-401518
2025 2025 †Mike Tesch83T–1st71–––
Totals (2003–2025)All-time:
152–92
(.623)		Conference:
125–53
(.702)		Postseason:
1–3
(.250)
EraSeasonsOverall W–L–TConference W–L–TPostseason
Morris Harvey (1904–1956)51153–188–19 (.451)70–66–8 (.514)3–1 (.750)
Charleston (2003–present)23152–92 (.623)125–53 (.702)1–3 (.250)
Combined74305–280–19 (.521)195–119–8 (.618)4–4 (.500)

[14] [15] [16]

References

  1. ↑ UC Branding Manual (PDF). Retrieved August 4, 2016.
  2. ↑ https://www.ucwv.edu/uc-life/music/
  3. ↑ "UC Football Decade Page" (PDF). s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  4. 1 2 "University of Charleston Football Game Notes" (PDF). University of Charleston Athletics. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  5. ↑ {{cite web |title=1950 Football Season — Historical Archive |url=https://ucgoldeneagles.com |publisher=University of Charles
  6. ↑ "NCAA Division II Football Championship History". NCAA.com. NCAA. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  7. ↑ "2024 Football Statistics". ucgoldeneagles.com. University of Charleston Athletics. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  8. ↑ "Wright Named to AFCA, D2 CCA All-America Teams". mountaineast.org. Mountain East Conference. December 19, 2024. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  9. ↑ "MEC Football Saturday Scoreboard – Week 11". Mountain East Conference. Retrieved November 25, 2025.
  10. ↑ https://wvswa.org/index466.htm
  11. ↑ "2020 Football Standings (To be Played in Spring 2021)". Mountain East Conference.
  12. ↑ https://www.d2football.com/zach-zebrowski-wins-harlon-hill-trophy17347024023425/
  13. ↑ https://mountaineast.org/sports/2014/7/30/FB_0730145022.aspx
  14. ↑ https://ucgoldeneagles.com/documents/2014/8/27/Morris_Harvey_Football.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  15. ↑ https://ucgoldeneagles.com/documents/2016/12/13/UC%20Football%20Decade%20Page.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  16. ↑ https://www.d2football.com/d2football.com-top-25-poll17349039580709/
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