# Johns Hopkins Blue Jays football

The Johns Hopkins Blue Jays football team represents Johns Hopkins University in the sport of American football. The Blue Jays compete in Division III of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) as members of the Centennial Conference. Johns Hopkins has fielded a team since 1882. Johns Hopkins has won or shared 13 Centennial Conference titles since the 2002 season, including 10 straight titles through the 2018 season.

## History

Hopkins' first team was assembled in 1881, and spent an entire year training and learning a version of the game. Their sport, which was closer to rugby, was played in Druid Hill Park. After the training, the team planned a two-game 1882 season. The squad had to play the season under the title of the Clifton Athletic Club, due to the school's policy on the sport of football. The first was a practice game with the Baltimore Athletic Club, played on October 7. The Hopkins team lost the contest 4–0. The following game was their first true game, to be played against the Naval Academy.

## Seasons

| Year | Coach | Overall | Conference | Standing | Coaches$^#$ | D3$^°$ |
| No coach (Independent) (1882–1894) ||||||||
| No coach: | No coach: | 24–33–5 (.427) | | | | |
| George Burlingame (Independent) (1895, 1897–1898) ||||||||
| Burlingame: | Burlingame: | 7–10–1 (.417) | | | | |
| Ivan Thorson & Bond (Independent) (1899–1900) ||||||||
| Thorson & Bond: | Thorson & Bond: | 9–3–2 (.714) | | | | |
| Byron W. Dickinson (Independent) (1901–1902) ||||||||
| Dickinson: | Dickinson: | 6–3–2 (.636) | | | | |
| Lawrence Lee Iseman (Independent) (1904–1905) ||||||||
| Iseman: | Iseman: | 8–2–4 (.714) | | | | |
| Patrick McDonnell & Alexander Randall (Independent) (1906) ||||||||
| McDonell & Randall: | McDonell & Randall: | 2–5–1 (.313) | | | | |
| J. Abner Saylor (Independent) (1907–1908) ||||||||
| Saylor: | Saylor: | 7–5–3 (.567) | | | | |
| Thomas Lynn (Independent) (1909–1910) ||||||||
| Lynn: | Lynn: | 11–3–1 (.767) | | | | |
| Edwin Harlan (Independent) (1911) ||||||||
| Harland: | Harland: | 4–5 (.444) | | | | |
| Max Rohde (Independent) (1912) ||||||||
| Rohde: | Rohde: | 0–9 (.000) | | | | |
| John H. Gates (Independent) (1913–1914) ||||||||
| Gates: | Gates: | 3–11–1 (.233) | | | | |
| Charles Brickley (Independent) (1915) ||||||||
| Brickey: | Brickey: | 6–2 (.750) | | | | |
| Harry E. Brennick (Independent) (1916) ||||||||
| Brennick: | Brennick: | 2–7 (.222) | | | | |
| B. Russell Murphy (Independent) (1917–1919) ||||||||
| Murphy: | Murphy: | 6–11–4 (.381) | | | | |
| Ray Van Orman (Independent) (1920–1935) ||||||||
| Van Orman: | Van Orman: | 60–64–7 (.485) | | | | |
| C. Gardner Mallonee (Independent) (1936–1942, 1943–1945) ||||||||
| Mallonee: | Mallonee: | 17–26–6 (.408) | | | | |
| Howdy Myers (Mason–Dixon Conference) (1946–1949) ||||||||
| 1946 | Myers | 5–3 | 2–0 | 2nd | | |
| 1947 | Myers | 5–2–1 | | | | |
| 1948 | Myers | 7–1 | 3–0 | 1st | | |
| 1949 | Myers | 4–4 | 2–1 | T–2nd | | |
| Myers: | Myers: | 21–10–1 (.691) | | | | |
| Myers: | Myers: | 26–14–1 (.646) (including 1979) | | | | |
| Charles H. Guy (Mason–Dixon Conference) (1950) ||||||||
| 1950 | Guy | 3–4–1 | 0–2–1 | 8th | | |
| Guy: | Guy: | 3–4–1 (.438) | | | | |
| Frank R. Burns (Mason–Dixon Conference) (1951–1952) ||||||||
| 1951 | Burns | 2–5–1 | 0–2–1 | 5th | | |
| 1952 | Burns | 4–4 | 1–2 | T–3rd | | |
| Burns: | Burns: | 6–9–1 (.406) (.406) | | | | |
| John Bridgers (Mason–Dixon Conference) (1953–1956) ||||||||
| 1953 | Bridgers | 2–6 | 0–3 | 6th | | |
| 1954 | Bridgers | 2–6 | 1–2 | 5th | | |
| 1955 | Bridgers | 2–6 | 0–2 | 5th | | |
| 1956 | Bridgers | 4–3–1 | 3–0 | 1st | | |
| Bridgers: | Bridgers: | 10–21–1 (.359) (.328) | | | | |
| Wilson L. Fewster (Mason–Dixon Conference, Middle Atlantic Conference South (1958~)) (1957–1965) ||||||||
| 1957 | Fewster | 3–2–2 | 1–1–1 | 3rd | | |
| 1958 | Fewster | 5–3 | 5–1 | 2nd | | |
| 1959 | Fewster | 7–1 | 6–0 | 1st | | |
| 1960 | Fewster | 5–2–1 | 5–1 | 1st | | |
| 1961 | Fewster | 3–4–1 | 2–3–1 | 6th | | |
| 1962 | Fewster | 2–6 | 2–4 | 7th | | |
| 1963 | Fewster | 0–6–1 | 0–4–1 | 11th | | |
| 1964 | Fewster | 2–6 | 2–4 | 9th | | |
| 1965 | Fewster | 1–6–1 | 1–4–1 | 10th | | |
| Fewster: | Fewster: | 28–36–6 (.443) | | | | |
| Alex Sotir (Middle Atlantic Conference South & Mason–Dixon Conference) (1966–1970) ||||||||
| 1966 | Sotir | 0–6–2 | 0–4–2 | 11th | | |
| 1967 | Sotir | 6–1 | 6–0 | 1st | | |
| 1968 | Sotir | 7–2 | 6–1 | 1st | | |
| 1969 | Sotir | 5–4 | 5–2 | 1st | | |
| 1970 | Sotir | 5–4 | 5–2 | 3rd | | |
| Sotir: | Sotir: | 23–17–2 (.571) | | | | |
| Dennis Cox (Middle Atlantic Conference South & Mason–Dixon Conference (~1974)) (1971–1978) ||||||||
| 1971 | Cox | 6–3 | 5–2 | 3rd | | |
| 1972 | Cox | 6–3 | 5–2 | 3rd | | |
| 1973 | Cox | 6–3 | 4–2 | 4th | | |
| 1974 | Cox | 3–5–1 | 3–2–1 | 5th | | |
| 1975 | Cox | 3–5–1 | 3–3–1 (3–2–1) | 5th | | |
| 1976 | Cox | 3–5–1 | 2–4–1 (2–3–1) | 8th | | |
| 1977 | Cox | 1–8–1 | 0–8–1 (0–6–1) | 10th | | |
| 1978 | Cox | 3–6 | 2–5 | 10th | | |
| Cox: | Cox: | 31–38–4 (.452) | | | | |
| Howdy Myers (Middle Atlantic Conference South) (1979) ||||||||
| 1979 | Myers | 5–4 | 4–4 | 6th | | |
| Myers: | Myers: | 5–4 (.556) | | | | |
| Myers: | Myers: | 26–14–1 (.646) (incl. 1946–49) | | | | |
| Jerry Pfeifer (Middle Atlantic Conference South (~1982), Centennial Conference (1983~)) (1980–1989) ||||||||
| 1980 | Pfeifer | 1–8 | 0–8 | 11th | | |
| 1981 | Pfeifer | 7–2 | 6–2 | 2nd | | |
| 1982 | Pfeifer | 3–6 | 2–6 | 9th | | |
| 1983 | Pfeifer | 5–4 | 3–4 | 5th | | |
| 1984 | Pfeifer | 5–4 | 3–4 | 5th | | |
| 1985 | Pfeifer | 6–3 | 4–3 | 4th | | |
| 1986 | Pfeifer | 3–5–1 | 2–4–1 | 5th | | |
| 1987 | Pfeifer | 4–6 | 3–4 | 5th | | |
| 1988 | Pfeifer | 1–9 | 1–6 | 7th | | |
| 1989 | Pfeifer | 1–9 | 1–6 | 8th | | |
| Pfeifer: | Pfeifer: | 36–56–1 (.392) | 25–47–1 (.349) | | | |
| Jim Margraff (Centennial Conference) (1990–2018) ||||||||
| 1990 | Margraff | 5–4–1 | 4–2–1 | 3rd | | |
| 1991 | Margraff | 5–4–1 | 3–4 | 4th | | |
| 1992 | Margraff | 6–4 | 4–3 | T–3rd | | |
| 1993 | Margraff | 4–6 | 2–5 | 6th | | |
| 1994 | Margraff | 4–6 | 4–3 | 4th | | |
| 1995 | Margraff | 6–3–1 | 4–2–1 | 3rd | | |
| 1996 | Margraff | 7–3 | 5–2 | 3rd | | |
| 1997 | Margraff | 7–3 | 5–2 | 3rd | | |
| 1998 | Margraff | 7–3 | 5–2 | T–2nd | | |
| 1999 | Margraff | 4–6 | 3–4 | 5th | | |
| 2000 | Margraff | 5–5 | 4–3 | T–4th | | |
| 2001 | Margraff | 6–3 | 4–2 | 3rd | | |
| 2002 | Margraff | 9–2 | 5–1 | T–1st | | |
| 2003 | Margraff | 10–1 | 5–1 | T–1st | 24 | 25 |
| 2004 | Margraff | 9–2 | 4–2 | T–1st | | |
| 2005 | Margraff | 8–3 | 5–1 | 1st | | |
| 2006 | Margraff | 5–5 | 3–3 | T–3rd | | |
| 2007 | Margraff | 4–6 | 3–5 | 7th | | |
| 2008 | Margraff | 8–3 | 6–2 | T–2nd | | |
| 2009 | Margraff | 10–3 | 7–1 | 1st | 8 | 11 |
| 2010 | Margraff | 8–3 | 7–2 | T–1st | | |
| 2011 | Margraff | 10–1 | 9–0 | 1st | 19 | 18 |
| 2012 | Margraff | 10–2 | 8–1 | 1st | 12 | 22 |
| 2013 | Margraff | 10–1 | 9–0 | 1st | 12 | 12 |
| 2014 | Margraff | 11–1 | 9–0 | 1st | 10 | 10 |
| 2015 | Margraff | 11–1 | 9–0 | 1st | 10 | 13 |
| 2016 | Margraff | 11–1 | 9–0 | 1st | 9 | 11 |
| 2017 | Margraff | 9–2 | 8–1 | T–1st | 20 | 20 |
| 2018 | Margraff | 12–2 | 8–1 | T–1st | 5 | 5 |
| Margraff: | Margraff: | 221–89–3 (.711) | | | | |
| Greg Chimera (Centennial Conference) (2019–2023) ||||||||
| 2019 | Chimera | 8–3 | 6–3 | 3rd | | |
| 2020 | Chimera | Season cancelled | | | | |
| 2021 | Chimera | 10–2 | 8–1 | T–1st | 13 | 14 |
| 2022 | Chimera | 10–1 | 8–1 | 2nd | 21 | 21 |
| 2023 | Chimera | 12–1 | 6–0 | 1st | 7 | 8 |
| Chimera: | Chimera: | 40–7 (.851) | 28–5 (.848) | | | |
| Dan Wodicka (Centennial Conference) (2024–present) ||||||||
| 2024 | Wodicka | 12–2 | 6–0 | 1st | 3 | 3 |
| Wodicka: | Wodicka: | 12–2 (–) | 6–0 (–) | | | |
| Total: | Total: | 607–491–57 (.550) | | | | |
| National championship  Conference title  Conference division title or championship game berth ||||||||
| $^†$Indicates Bowl Coalition, Bowl Alliance, BCS, or CFP / New Years' Six bowl. $^#$Rankings from final Coaches Poll. ||||||||

## Postseason appearances
### NCAA Division III

The Blue Jays have made thirteen appearances in the NCAA Division III playoffs, with a combined record of 15–13.
| Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
| 2005 | First Round | Thiel | L, 3–28 |
| 2009 | First Round Second Round Quarterfinals | Hampden–Sydney Thomas More Wesley | W, 23–7 W, 31–29 L, 0–12 |
| 2011 | First Round | St. John Fisher | L, 12–23 |
| 2012 | First Round Second Round | Washington & Jefferson Mount Union | W, 42–10 L, 13–55 |
| 2013 | First Round | Wesley | L, 24–29 |
| 2014 | First Round Second Round | Rowan Hobart | W, 24–16 L, 21–24 |
| 2015 | First Round Second Round | Western New England Wesley | W, 52–20 L, 37–42 |
| 2016 | First Round Second Round | Randolph–Macon Mount Union | W, 42–21 L, 21–28 |
| 2017 | First Round | Washington & Jefferson | L, 28–31 |
| 2018 | First Round Second Round Quarterfinals Semifinals | MIT Frostburg State RPI Mount Union | W, 49–0 W, 58–27 W, 37–14 L, 20–28 |
| 2021 | First Round Second Round | Salisbury Mount Union | W, 45–20 L, 35–45 |
| 2023 | First Round Second Round Quarterfinals | Western Connecticut Union (NY) Randolph–Macon | W, 62–20 W, 39–17 L, 36–39 |
| 2024 | Second Round Third Round Quarterfinals Semifinals | Grove City DePauw Mary Hardin–Baylor Mount Union | W, 17–14 W, 14–9 W, 17–10 L, 37–45 |

## Notable players

Bill Stromberg earned a B.A. from Hopkins in 1982 and became one of the most decorated athletes in the history of Johns Hopkins, making him "arguably the best football player in Johns Hopkins history." He is considered one of the best wide receivers in NCAA Division III history as the holder of six national and 13 school records. Stromberg was inducted into the Johns Hopkins Hall of Fame and then elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2004, and was, as of 2017, the only Hopkins football player to be inducted there. Hopkins constructed a new baseball field and athletic facilities which was named Stromberg Stadium in 2014 in his honor.
After graduation, Stromberg signed as a free agent with the Philadelphia Eagles, played a few preseason games before pulling a hamstring, and was ultimately cut before the 1982 season began. He became the CEO of Baltimore-based asset management firm T. Rowe Price in 2016.
Wide Receiver and National Lacrosse Hall of Famer Joe Cowan was drafted by the Baltimore Colts in 1969.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore was a wide receiver for the Blue Jays while in college.