# Coastal Athletic Association Football Conference

The Coastal Athletic Association Football Conference, formerly the Colonial Athletic Association Football Conference, branded as CAA Football, is a collegiate athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division I whose full members are located in East Coast states, from Maine to North Carolina. Most of its members are public universities, and the conference is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. The conference is run by the same administration as the multisport conference Coastal Athletic Association (CAA; formerly the Colonial Athletic Association) but is legally a different entity.

## History

CAA Football was formed in 2005, although it did not begin play until 2007, as a separate conference independent of the CAA, but administered by the CAA front office. In the 2004–05 academic year, the CAA had five member schools that sponsored football, all of them as football-only members of the Atlantic 10 Conference. In 2005, Northeastern accepted the CAA's offer of membership, giving the CAA the six football-playing members it needed under NCAA rules to organize a football conference. At that time, the CAA announced it would launch its new football conference in 2007. Next, the CAA invited the University of Richmond to become a football-only member effective in 2007. Once UR accepted the offer, this left the A10 football conference with only five members, less than the six required under NCAA rules. As a result, the remaining A10 football programs all decided to join the CAA for football only, ending A10 football. Since the CAA football conference had the same members as the A10 the previous year, it can be said that the CAA football conference is the A10 football conference under new management.
The CAA football conference's earliest roots are in the New England Conference, founded in 1938 by four state-supported universities in that region plus Northeastern; three of the public schools are currently in CAA Football. However, neither the multi-sports CAA nor CAA Football includes the New England Conference in CAA Football history. After the departure of Northeastern in 1945, the remaining members joined New England's other land-grant colleges, Massachusetts State College (now the University of Massachusetts Amherst) and the University of Vermont, to form the Yankee Conference under a new charter in 1946, with competition starting in 1947. That conference eventually dropped all sports other than football in 1975. Starting in the 1980s, it expanded to include many schools outside its original New England base. After the NCAA voted to limit the influence of single-sport conferences, the Yankee merged with the A-10 in 1997.
CAA Football went through many changes during the early 2010s with the loss of Georgia State, Massachusetts, and Old Dominion and the addition of Albany, Elon, and Stony Brook. Stability was maintained for a decade before the departure of James Madison in 2021 leading to the addition of Campbell, Hampton, Monmouth, North Carolina A&T, and Bryant from 2022 to 2024.

### Timeline

* May 4, 2005 – CAA Football was formed with inaugural members Delaware, Hofstra, James Madison, Maine, New Hampshire, Northeastern, Rhode Island, Richmond, Towson, Massachusetts (UMass), Villanova, and William & Mary.
* May 31, 2006 – Old Dominion, at the time a member of the all-sports CAA, announced plans to add football for the 2009 season and join CAA Football in 2011.
* June 11, 2009 – Georgia State, at the time a member of the all-sports CAA, announced the addition of Football in 2011, and joining the CAA football conference in 2012.
* November 9, 2009 – Northeastern announced plans to drop football after the 2009 season.
* December 3, 2009 – Hofstra also announced that the university would no longer be sponsoring football.
* June 1, 2010 – Due to the reduction of the conference, CAA Football did not use the division format for the 2010 season.
* April 20, 2011 – UMass announced that it would transition to FBS beginning fall 2011, and would become a football-only member of the Mid-American Conference (MAC).
* April 7, 2012 – Georgia State began an FBS transition in advance of its 2013 move to the Sun Belt Conference.
* May 17, 2012 – Old Dominion announced its plans to join Conference USA and transition to FBS status for the 2013 season.
* August 7, 2012 – Albany and Stony Brook both accepted offers of membership in CAA Football for the 2013 season.
* May 23, 2013 – Elon announced that the school would become a member of CAA Football and the all-sports CAA for the 2014 season.
* November 6, 2021 – James Madison announced its departure for the Sun Belt Conference and upgrade to FBS. Originally, JMU was slated to play the 2022 season as an FCS Independent before joining the Sun Belt in 2023, but JMU ended up joining a year earlier.
* January 25, 2022 – Hampton and Monmouth accept invitations to join CAA Football and the all-sports CAA for the 2022 season. Stony Brook, which joined CAA Football in 2013, also becomes a member of the all-sports conference.
* February 22, 2022 – North Carolina A&T accepts an invitation to join CAA Football for the 2023 season, a year after joining the all-sports CAA.
* August 3, 2022 – Campbell also accepts an invitation to join both sides of the CAA for the 2023 season.
* July 20, 2023 – CAA Football changed its full name to the Coastal Athletic Association Football Conference.
* August 10, 2023 – Bryant accepts an invitation to join CAA Football for the 2024 season.
* November 28, 2023 – Delaware announced its plans to join Conference USA and transition to FBS status for the 2025 season.
* May 14, 2024 – Richmond announced its departure from the CAA to join the Patriot League as an associate member for football for the 2025 season.

## Member institutions
### Current members

| Institution | Location | Founded | Joined | Type | Enrollment | Nickname | Primary Conference |
| State University of New York at Albany | Albany, New York | 1844 | 2013 | Public | 17,944 | Great Danes | AmEast |
| Bryant University | Smithfield, Rhode Island | 1863 | 2024 | Private | 3,751 | Bulldogs | AmEast |
| Campbell University | Buies Creek, North Carolina | 1887 | 2023 | Private | 5,622 | Fighting Camels | CAA |
| University of Delaware | Newark, Delaware | 1743 | 2007 | Public | 23,281 | Fightin' Blue Hens | CAA |
| Elon University | Elon, North Carolina | 1889 | 2014 | Private | 6,991 | Phoenix | CAA |
| Hampton University | Hampton, Virginia | 1868 | 2022 | Private (HBCU) | 3,516 | Pirates | CAA |
| University of Maine | Orono, Maine | 1865 | 2007 | Public | 11,404 | Black Bears | AmEast |
| Monmouth University | West Long Branch, New Jersey | 1933 | 2022 | Private | 5,675 | Hawks | CAA |
| University of New Hampshire | Durham, New Hampshire | 1866 | 2007 | Public | 15,305 | Wildcats | AmEast |
| North Carolina A&T State University | Greensboro, North Carolina | 1891 | 2023 | Public (HBCU) | 13,332 | Aggies | CAA |
| Towson University | Towson, Maryland | 1866 | 2007 | Public | 22,923 | Tigers | CAA |
| University of Rhode Island | Kingston, Rhode Island | 1892 | 2007 | Public | 16,883 | Rams | A-10 |
| University of Richmond | Richmond, Virginia | 1830 | 2007 | Private | 4,002 | Spiders | A-10 |
| Stony Brook University | Stony Brook, New York | 1957 | 2013 | Public | 26,782 | Seawolves | CAA |
| Villanova University | Villanova, Pennsylvania | 1842 | 2007 | Private | 11,023 | Wildcats | Big East |
| College of William & Mary | Williamsburg, Virginia | 1693 | 2007 | Public | 8,817 | Tribe | CAA |

#### Notes

* ↑ Delaware is officially chartered as a "privately-governed, state-assisted" institution. This status is broadly similar to that of New York State's statutory colleges, most of which are housed at Cornell University, or institutions in Pennsylvania's Commonwealth System of Higher Education.

### Former members

| Institution | Location | Founded | Joined | Left | Type | Enrollment | Nickname | Subsequent Football Conference | Current Football Conference |
| Hofstra University | Hempstead, New York | 1935 | 2007 | 2009 | Private | 10,871 | Pride | none (dropped football) | none (dropped football) |
| Georgia State University | Atlanta, Georgia | 1913 | 2012 | 2013 | Public | 32,082 | Panthers | Sun Belt (FBS) | Sun Belt (FBS) |
| James Madison University | Harrisonburg, Virginia | 1908 | 2007 | 2022 | Public | 21,227 | Dukes | Sun Belt (FBS) | Sun Belt (FBS) |
| University of Massachusetts | Amherst, Massachusetts | 1863 | 2007 | 2012 | Public | 28,635 | Minutemen | MAC (FBS) | FBS Independent (MAC in 2025) |
| Northeastern University | Boston, Massachusetts | 1898 | 2007 | 2009 | Private | 21,627 | Huskies | none (dropped football) | none (dropped football) |
| Old Dominion University | Norfolk, Virginia | 1930 | 2011 | 2013 | Public | 24,932 | Monarchs | CUSA (FBS) | Sun Belt (FBS) |

### Membership timeline

Current members  Former members  Other Conference  Other Conference

## Conference champions

| * | Denotes a tie for regular season conference title |
| † | Denotes team failed to qualify for FCS Playoffs |
| Bold type | Denotes national champion in the same season |
| Year | Team(s) | Conference record | Overall record(s) | Head coach(es) |
| 2007* | UMass Richmond | 7–1 | 10–3 11–3 | Don Brown Dave Clawson |
| 2008 | James Madison | 8–0 | 12–2 | Mickey Matthews |
| 2009* | Richmond Villanova | 7–1 | 11–2 14–1 | Mike London Andy Talley |
| 2010* | Delaware William & Mary | 6–2 | 12–3 8–4 | K. C. Keeler Jimmye Laycock |
| 2011 | Towson | 7–1 | 9–3 | Rob Ambrose |
| 2012* | New Hampshire Richmond† Villanova Towson† | 6–2 | 8–3 8–3 8–3 7–4 | Sean McDonnell Danny Rocco Andy Talley Rob Ambrose |
| 2013 | Maine | 7–1 | 10–3 | Jack Cosgrove |
| 2014 | New Hampshire | 8–0 | 10–1 | Sean McDonnell |
| 2015* | James Madison Richmond William & Mary | 6–2 | 9–2 8–3 8–3 | Everett Withers Danny Rocco Jimmye Laycock |
| 2016 | James Madison | 8–0 | 14–1 | Mike Houston |
| 2017 | James Madison | 8–0 | 14–1 | Mike Houston |
| 2018 | Maine | 7–1 | 10–4 | Joe Harasymiak |
| 2019 | James Madison | 8–0 | 14–2 | Curt Cignetti |
| 2020 | Delaware | 4–0 | 5−0 | Danny Rocco |
| 2021* | James Madison Villanova | 7–1 | 10–1 9–2 | Curt Cignetti Mark Ferrante |
| 2022* | New Hampshire William & Mary | 7–1 | 9–4 11–2 | Ricky Santos Mike London |
| 2023* | UAlbany Richmond Villanova | 7–1 | 9–2 8–3 9–2 | Greg Gattuso Russ Huesman Mark Ferrante |
| 2024* | Richmond Rhode Island | 8–0 7–1 | 10–3 11–3 | Russ Huesman Jim Fleming |
* ↑ CAA Football recognized Richmond and Rhode Island as co-champions because Rhode Island's only conference loss was to Delaware, which was ineligible for the FCS playoffs due to its transition to FBS.

### All-time conference championships

| School | Championships | Outright championships | Years |
| James Madison ‡ | 6 | 4 | 2008, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2021 |
| Richmond ‡ | 6 | 0 | 2007, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2023, 2024 |
| Villanova | 4 | 0 | 2009, 2012, 2021, 2023 |
| New Hampshire | 3 | 1 | 2012, 2014, 2022 |
| William & Mary | 3 | 0 | 2010, 2015, 2022 |
| Maine | 2 | 2 | 2013, 2018 |
| Delaware ‡ | 2 | 1 | 2010, 2020 |
| Towson | 2 | 1 | 2011, 2012 |
| UAlbany | 1 | 0 | 2023 |
| Rhode Island | 1 | 0 | 2024 |
| Massachusetts | 1 | 0 | 2007 |
Co-championships are designated by italics.
BOLD denotes the team won the National Championship
$^‡$Former member of CAA Football
* ^a The CAA's 2020–21 NCAA Division I FCS football season was played in Spring 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Several teams opted out, and some games were canceled. The Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens completed the season with a 5-0 overall record, 4–0 in conference, and won the North Division title; the James Madison Dukes completed the season with a 5-0 overall record, 3–0 in conference, and won the South Division title. A vote of the CAA athletic directors, not including Delaware or James Madison, was held to determine a champion. The Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens were declared the 2020 CAA football champions as a result of this vote and were awarded the automatic qualifier for the FCS playoffs.

## NCAA FCS national championships

| School | Championships | Finals appearances | Won | Lost |
| James Madison | 2 | 4 | 2004, 2016 | 2017, 2019 |
| Delaware | 1 | 4 | 2003 | 1982, 2007, 2010 |
| Villanova | 1 | 1 | 2009 | |
| UMass | 1 | 3 | 1998 | 1978, 2006 |
| Richmond | 1 | 1 | 2008 | |
| Towson | 0 | 1 | | 2013 |
* ↑ James Madison left CAA Football (and the multi-sports CAA) in 2022 to join the FBS Sun Belt Conference.
* 1 2 3 Won as a member of Atlantic 10 Conference football.
* ↑ Delaware will leave CAA Football (and the multi-sports CAA) in 2025 to join the FBS Conference USA.
* ↑ Delaware was an NCAA I-AA independent in the 1982 season.
* ↑ UMass became a football-only member of the Mid-American Conference in 2013, and an FBS independent beginning with the 2016 season. UMass will return to the MAC in 2025, this time as a full member.
* ↑ Appeared as a member of the Yankee Conference.
* ↑ Richmond will leave CAA Football in 2025 to become a football-only member of the Patriot League.

## All-time NFL Draft selections

| Year | Round | Selection | Player | Position | College | NFL team |
| 2008 | 1 | 18 | Joe Flacco | Quarterback | Delaware | Baltimore Ravens |
| 2008 | 4 | 125 | Arman Shields | Wide receiver | Richmond | Oakland Raiders |
| 2008 | 5 | 149 | Tim Hightower | Running back | Richmond | Arizona Cardinals |
| 2008 | 6 | 207 | Matt Sherry | Tight end | Villanova | Cincinnati Bengals |
| 2009 | 3 | 73 | Derek Cox | Cornerback | William & Mary | Jacksonville Jaguars |
| 2009 | 4 | 125 | Lawrence Sidbury | Defensive end | Richmond | Atlanta Falcons |
| 2010 | 2 | 61 | Vladimir Ducasse | Offensive tackle | UMass | New York Jets |
| 2010 | 6 | 178 | Arthur Moats | Defensive end | James Madison | Buffalo Bills |
| 2010 | 6 | 184 | Adrian Tracy | Linebacker | William & Mary | New York Giants |
| 2010 | 6 | 203 | Scotty McGee | Kick returner | James Madison | Jacksonville Jaguars |
| 2010 | 7 | 234 | Sean Lissemore | Defensive tackle | William & Mary | Dallas Cowboys |
| 2011 | 2 | 49 | Ben Ijalana | Offensive tackle | Villanova | Indianapolis Colts |
| 2011 | 7 | 206 | Justin Rogers | Cornerback | Richmond | Buffalo Bills |
| 2012 | 4 | 98 | Gino Gradkowski | Guard | Delaware | Baltimore Ravens |
| 2012 | 4 | 133 | Jerron McMillian | Safety | Maine | Green Bay Packers |
| 2013 | 4 | 114 | B. W. Webb | Cornerback | William & Mary | Dallas Cowboys |
| 2013 | 4 | 116 | Earl Watford | Guard | James Madison | Arizona Cardinals |
| 2013 | 5 | 152 | Cooper Taylor | Safety | Richmond | New York Giants |
| 2013 | 7 | 241 | Jared Smith | Defensive tackle | New Hampshire | Seattle Seahawks |
| 2014 | 3 | 94 | Terrance West | Running back | Towson | Cleveland Browns |
| 2014 | 6 | 184 | Kendall James | Cornerback | Maine | Minnesota Vikings |
| 2015 | 5 | 171 | Nick Boyle | Tight End | Delaware | Baltimore Ravens |
| 2015 | 7 | 245 | Tre McBride | Wide receiver | William & Mary | Tennessee Titans |
| 2016 | 6 | 185 | DeAndre Houston-Carson | Cornerback | William & Mary | Chicago Bears |
| 2016 | 7 | 239 | Trevor Bates | Linebacker | Maine | Indianapolis Colts |
| 2017 | 2 | 59 | Tanoh Kpassagnon | Defensive end | Villanova | Kansas City Chiefs |
| 2017 | 7 | 236 | Brad Seaton | Offensive tackle | Villanova | Tennessee Titans |
| 2018 | 4 | 108 | Kyle Lauletta | Quarterback | Richmond | New York Giants |
| 2018 | 5 | 145 | Bilal Nichols | Defensive tackle | Delaware | Chicago Bears |
| 2018 | 6 | 192 | Jamil Demby | Offensive tackle | Maine | Los Angeles Rams |
| 2019 | 2 | 60 | Nasir Adderley | Safety | Delaware | Los Angeles Chargers |
| 2019 | 6 | 193 | Oli Udoh | Offensive tackle | Elon | Minnesota Vikings |
| 2019 | 7 | 227 | Jimmy Moreland | Cornerback | James Madison | Washington Redskins |
| 2020 | 5 | 171 | Isaiah Coulter | Wide receiver | Rhode Island | Houston Texans |
| 2020 | 7 | 231 | Ben DiNucci | Quarterback | James Madison | Dallas Cowboys |
| 2022 | 6 | 185 | Christian Benford | Cornerback | Villanova | Buffalo Bills |
| 2023 | 5 | 152 | Colby Sorsdal | Offensive tackle | William & Mary | Detroit Lions |
| 2024 | 6 | 208 | Dylan Laube | Running back | New Hampshire | Las Vegas Raiders |

## Conference facilities

Departing members in pink. Future members in gray.
| School | Football stadium | Capacity |
| Albany | Bob Ford Field at Tom & Mary Casey Stadium | 8,500 |
| Bryant | Beirne Stadium | 5,500 |
| Campbell | Barker–Lane Stadium | 5,500 |
| Delaware | Delaware Stadium | 18,500 |
| Elon | Rhodes Stadium | 11,250 |
| Hampton | Armstrong Stadium | 10,000 |
| Maine | Harold Alfond Sports Stadium | 8,419 |
| Monmouth | Kessler Field | 4,600 |
| New Hampshire | Wildcat Stadium | 11,015 |
| North Carolina A&T | Truist Stadium | 21,500 |
| Rhode Island | Meade Stadium | 6,580 |
| Richmond | E. Claiborne Robins Stadium | 8,700 |
| Stony Brook | Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium | 12,300 |
| Towson | Johnny Unitas Stadium | 11,198 |
| Villanova | Villanova Stadium | 12,500 |
| William & Mary | Walter J. Zable Stadium | 12,259 |