The Citadel Bulldogs football

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The Citadel Bulldogs football
AmericanFootball current event.svg 2024 The Citadel Bulldogs football team
Citadel Bulldogs logo.svg
First season 1905; 119 years ago
Athletic director Mike Capaccio
Head coach Maurice Drayton
2nd season, 0–11 (.000)
Stadium Johnson Hagood Stadium
(capacity: 11,427)
FieldSansom Field
Year built1948
Field surfaceArtificial turf
Location Charleston, South Carolina
NCAA division Division I FCS
Conference Southern Conference
All-time record508–571–32 (.472)
Bowl record1–0 (1.000)
Playoff appearances5
Playoff record2–5
Conference titles4 (1961, 1992, 2015, 2016)
ColorsInfantry blue and white [1]
   
Fight song"The Fighting Light Brigade"
MascotBulldog
Marching band The Regimental Band and Pipes
Website citadelsports.com

The Citadel Bulldogs football program represents The Citadel in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). The Bulldogs play in the Southern Conference, as they have since 1936. The Bulldogs are coached by Maurice Drayton, who was hired on January 12, 2023, to replace Brent Thompson, whose contract was not renewed. [2] [3] [4]

Contents

History

Facilities

The Bulldogs first recorded stadium was College Park, located in the northeast corner of Hampton Park in Charleston, South Carolina. This field predated the current College Park at the same site, which is used as a practice facility for The Citadel Bulldogs baseball. Due to increasing attendance and the poor state of the stadium, the Bulldogs moved to the original Johnson Hagood Stadium in 1927. In 1948, that stadium was replaced by the current Johnson Hagood Stadium, which lies just to the south of The Citadel's gates in Charleston.

Johnson Hagood Stadium CitadelStadium.jpg
Johnson Hagood Stadium

Johnson Hagood is a 21,000-seat stadium, in which The Citadel routinely ranks in the top 25 in attendance at the FCS level. In 2001, the Altman Athletic Center opened in the south end zone, complete with new home and visitor's locker rooms, official's locker rooms, and an upstairs hospitality area for donors. In 2008, The Citadel completed a re-construction of the west stands and West Side Tower. The stands contain reserved premium seats and bleacher seats, while the tower, shared with the South Carolina National Guard, contains twelve suites, a club level, and state of the art press box. During preparation for construction, workers discovered the remains of sailors from failed test runs of the H.L. Hunley . These remains were reinterred in Magnolia Cemetery in Charleston.

Beginning in 2012, The Citadel implemented a points system for parking and seat selection in Johnson Hagood Stadium, joining many large programs who use similar systems. The program is designed to reward long-time and large donors to The Citadel athletics by giving them preference in selecting seat and parking locations. [5]

In 2016, The Citadel determined that lead paint needed remediation on the east (visitor's) side of the stadium. The work resulted in the entire east side being closed for the first game of the 2016 season and some sections being opened for subsequent games. The capacity was thus 10,500 for the first game and about 15,000 for later games. [6] [7] [8] The Board of Visitors decided to fully renovate the east side of the stadium, announcing that decision on December 2, 2016. [9]

Practice and on-campus facilities

Practices are held at the Maybank Triplets Practice Facility, an artificial turf field at the north edge of campus. The Bulldogs utilize Seignious Hall, located across from McAlister Field House for weightlifting, locker rooms, team meeting and video space, and academic tutoring. The Citadel Sports Medicine Department also utilizes Seignious Hall. [10]

Coaches and staff

Coaches from The Citadel have often been targeted for larger programs. Former head and assistant coaches at The Citadel include Bobby Ross, Charlie Taaffe, Ellis Johnson, Frank Beamer, Al Davis, Ralph Friedgen, and Mike Houston. [11]

Head coaches

[12]

NameFirst YearFinal YearNo. Seasons
Syd Smith 190519051
Ralph Foster 190619083
Sam Costen 190919102
Louis LeTellier 191119122
George Rogers 191319194
Harvey O'Brien 191619215
Carl Prause 192219298
Johnny Floyd 193019312
Tatum Gressette 193219398
Bo Rowland 194019423
J. Quinn Decker 194619527
John D. McMillan 195319542
John Sauer 195519562
Eddie Teague 195719659
Red Parker 196619727
Bobby Ross 197319775
Art Baker 197819825
Tom Moore 198319864
Charlie Taaffe 198719959
Don Powers 199620005
Ellis Johnson 200120033
John Zernhelt 200420041
Kevin Higgins 200520139
Mike Houston 201420152
Brent Thompson 201620226
Maurice Drayton 2023recent6

Seasons and results

Conference championships

The Citadel has won four conference championships, three outright and one shared.

SeasonConferenceCoachOverall recordConference record
1961 Southern Conference Eddie Teague 7–35–1
1992 Charlie Taaffe 11–26–1
2015† Mike Houston 9–46–1
2016 Brent Thompson 10–28–0

† denotes co–champions

Postseason appearances

Bowl games

SeasonCoachBowlOpponentResult
1960 Eddie Teague Tangerine Bowl Tennessee Tech W 27–0

NCAA Division I-AA/FCS Playoffs results

The Citadel has appeared in the NCAA Division I Football Championship playoffs five times, posting a 2–5 record.

YearRoundOpponentResult
1988 First Round Georgia Southern L 20–38
1990 First Round Georgia Southern L 0–31
1992 First Round
Quarterfinals		 North Carolina A&T
Youngstown State 		W 44–0
L 17–42
2015 First Round
Second Round		 Coastal Carolina
Charleston Southern 		W 41–38
L 6–14
2016 Second Round Wofford L 3–17

Rivalries

The Citadel's primary rivals are the VMI Keydets football and Furman Paladins football. The game with VMI is known as the Military Classic of the South. The Citadel and Furman have been heated, annual rivals since both joined the Southern Conference in 1936. The Citadel is 151-174-9 all-time against in-state opponents.

OpponentWinsLossesTiesFirst meetingLast Citadel winLast Opponent win
VMI 43322192020212020–21
Furman 3761319132020–212021

Record vs. Current SoCon opponents

Excludes Furman and VMI, listed above.
East Tennessee State returned to the SoCon in 2016.
OpponentWinsLossesTiesFirst meetingLast Citadel winLast Opponent win
Chattanooga 20332192620212018
East Tennessee State [lower-alpha 1] 13170196620192021
Mercer [lower-alpha 2] 1171190620192021
Samford 780198920182021
Western Carolina 26191197220192021
Wofford 44301191620212019
  1. ↑ East Tennessee State did not sponsor football from 2004–2014
  2. ↑ Mercer did not sponsor football from 1941–2012

Record vs instate opponents

Division I, non-SoCon only
OpponentWinsLossesTiesFirst meetingLast Citadel winLast Opponent win
Charleston Southern [lower-alpha 1] 86—200220242021
Clemson 5321190919312017
Coastal Carolina 11—20142015 [lower-alpha 2] 2014
Presbyterian 51111191520171979
South Carolina 8403190520152011
South Carolina State 420198920012024
  1. ↑ In 2018, Charleston Southern vacated three wins against The Citadel, including one from the 2015 playoffs, after NCAA sanctions. [13]
  2. ↑ The Bulldogs won a 2015 matchup in the first round of the NCAA Division I FCS Playoffs.

Bulldogs in professional football

Many Citadel alumni have played in various professional leagues, including the National Football League, Canadian Football League and Arena Football League. Sixteen players have been drafted in the NFL Draft and AFL Draft, and other players have signed as undrafted free agents. Likely the most famous Citadel alumni in professional football are Running Back Stump Mitchell and broadcaster Paul Maguire. Andre Roberts is a recent player who achieved success in the NFL and Cortez Allen recently played with the Pittsburgh Steelers for 5 seasons; Running Back Travis Jervey played in 2 Super Bowls with the Green Bay Packers and was named an All Pro as a special teams player. [14]

Individual honors

All-Americans
This list includes selected First Team All-Americans at The Citadel [15]

YearNameAFCAAPWalter CampSports Network/STATSFootball Gazette
1976 Brian Ruff
Green check.svgY
1985Jim Gabrish
Green check.svgY
1986Scott Thompson
Green check.svgY
1988Carlos Avalos
Green check.svgY
Green check.svgY
Green check.svgY
Green check.svgY
1990J. J. Davis
Green check.svgY
1991 Lester Smith
Green check.svgY
Green check.svgY
1992Lester Smith
Green check.svgY
Green check.svgY
Green check.svgY
Carey Cash
Green check.svgY
Green check.svgY
Green check.svgY
Terrence Forney
Green check.svgY
Lance Hansen
Green check.svgY
Green check.svgY
1994Levi Davis
Green check.svgY
1995Brad Keeney
Green check.svgY
1997Carlos Frank
Green check.svgY
2008 Andre Roberts
Green check.svgY
Green check.svgY
2012Mike Sellers
Green check.svgY
Green check.svgY
Green check.svgY
2015Tyler Renew
Green check.svgY
Dee Delaney
Green check.svgY
2016Dee Delaney
Green check.svgY
Green check.svgY
Green check.svgY
Isaiah Pinson
Green check.svgY
Green check.svgY
Green check.svgY
Tyler Renew
Green check.svgY

Honored jerseys

The Citadel has retired six jersey numbers. The most recent jersey retired was for Marc Buoniconti in 2006. [16] [17]

No.PlayerPositionYears at The Citadel
14Jack Douglas QB 1989-1992
15 Lester Smith S 1988-1992
35 Stump Mitchell RB 1977-1980
51Brian Ruff LB 1973-1976
59Marc BuonicontiLB1985
66 John Small LB1967-1970

Future non-conference opponents

Announced schedules as of July 9, 2024. [18]

2024202520262027202820292030203120322033
at Charleston Southern North Dakota State at Charlotte at Navy Gardner–Webb at Army at Army
South Carolina State at Ole Miss Charleston Southern at North Dakota State at Clemson
North Greenville at Gardner–Webb
at Clemson

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References

  1. ↑ "Colors: The Citadel Brand Guidelines" . Retrieved October 22, 2022.
  2. ↑ Jeff Hartsell (January 9, 2014). "The Citadel introduces new football coach Mike Houston". Post and Courier . Charleston, SC. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
  3. ↑ Kevin Bilodeau (January 18, 2016). "Mike Houston leaves The Citadel for James Madison". WCSC-TV . Retrieved January 18, 2016.
  4. ↑ Kevin Bilodeau (January 19, 2016). "The Citadel names Brent Thompson as new head coach". WCSC-TV. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  5. ↑ "Priority Points System". The Citadel. Retrieved May 12, 2012.
  6. ↑ Jeff Hartsell (August 29, 2016). "Citadel considers tearing down visitors' side at Johnson Hagood Stadium". Post and Courier. Charleston, SC. Retrieved October 12, 2016.
  7. ↑ Jeff Hartsell (September 9, 2016). "Citadel football returns to (half of) Johnson Hagood Stadium". Post and Courier. Charleston, SC. Retrieved October 12, 2016.
  8. ↑ Jeff Hartsell (October 11, 2016). "Citadel home at last, with nation's best 4 road wins". Post and Courier. Charleston, SC. Retrieved October 12, 2016.
  9. ↑ Jeff Hartsell (October 11, 2016). "Citadel Notes: Stadium's east side to be renovated; Georgia Tech on 2019 schedule". Post and Courier. Charleston, SC.
  10. ↑ 2011 Citadel Football Media Guide. e-digitaleditions.com. p. 7. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
  11. ↑ 2011 Citadel Football Media Guide. e-digitaleditions.com. pp. 10–11. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
  12. ↑ 2011 Citadel Football Media Guide. e-digitaleditions.com. p. 142. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
  13. ↑ David Shelton (December 10, 2018). "Charleston Southern vacates 122 victories, 3 Big South titles, with more to come". Post and Courier. Retrieved December 16, 2018.
  14. ↑ 2011 Citadel Football Media Guide. e-digitaleditions.com. p. 12. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
  15. ↑ 2011 Citadel Football Media Guide. e-digitaleditions.com. p. 133. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
  16. ↑ "Citadel to Retire Former Football Player John Small's Jersey". October 2003.
  17. ↑ "20 years later, Citadel, paralyzed Buoniconti heal rift". February 16, 2006.
  18. ↑ "The Citadel Bulldogs Football Future Schedules". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
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