2012 NCAA Division I FCS football season

American college football season August 2023 December 2025 2012 NCAA logo.svg 122 August – November November 24 – December 15 January 5, 2013 FC Dallas Stadium, Frisco, TX North Dakota State Taylor Heinicke, Old Dominionhttps://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/8757364/old-dominion-monarchs-qb-taylor-heinicke-wins-walter-payton-award Taylor Heinicke wins Payton Award Associated Press ESPN.com December 17, 2012 December 18, 2012 Caleb Schreibeis, Montana State The 2012 NCAA Division I FCS football season, part of college football in the United States, was organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level. The season began on August 30, 2012, and concluded with the 2013 NCAA Division I Football Championship Game on January 5, 2013, at FC Dallas Stadium in Frisco, Texas. North Dakota State beat Sam Houston State for the second year in a row, 39-13, to repeat as champions. Conference changes and new programs 2010–13 NCAA conference realignment The Great West Conference dropped football after the 2011 season. No teams played as independents in 2012, for the first time in the history of Division I-AA/FCS. School 2011 Conference 2012 Conference Cal Poly Great West Big Sky Georgia State FCS Independent CAA Massachusetts CAA (FCS) MAC (FBS) North Dakota Great West Big Sky South Alabama FCS Independent Sun Belt (FBS) South Dakota Great West MVFC Southern Utah Big Sky Texas State FCS Independent WAC (FBS) UC Davis Great West Big Sky UTSA FCS Independent WAC (FBS) FCS team wins over FBS teams August 30: Eastern Washington 20, Idaho 3 August 30: McNeese State 27, Middle Tennessee 21 September 1: Tennessee–Martin 20, Memphis 17 September 1: Youngstown State 31, Pittsburgh 17 September 8: Illinois State 31, Eastern Michigan 14 September 8: North Dakota State 22, Colorado State 7 September 8: Northern Arizona 17, UNLV 14 September 8: Sacramento State 30, Colorado 28 September 15: Cal Poly 24, Wyoming 22 September 29: Stony Brook 23, Army 3 Conference standings Conference summaries Championship games Conference Champion Runner-upScoreOffensive Player of the YearDefensive Player of the YearCoach of the Year SWAC Arkansas–Pine Bluff Jackson State 24–21http://www.swac.org/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=632758&SPID=93263&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=27400&ATCLID=205822289 UAPB Comes from Behind to Win SWAC Title!!!!! Southwestern Athletic Conference December 8, 2012 January 6, 2013 Rico Richardson (WR, Jackson State)http://www.swac.org/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=632758&SPID=93263&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=27400&ATCLID=205820687 SWAC Releases 2012 All-Conference Team Southwestern Athletic Conference December 4, 2012 January 6, 2013 Brandon Thurmond (DT, Arkansas–Pine Bluff) Other conference winners Note: Records are regular-season only, and do not include playoff games. ConferenceChampionRecordOffensive Player of the YearDefensive Player of the YearCoach of the Year Big Sky Eastern Washington Montana State Cal Poly 9–2 (7–1)10–1 (7–1)9–2 (7–1) DeNarius McGhee (Montana State) Jody Owens (Montana State) Beau Baldwin (Eastern Washington)Tim Walsh (Cal Poly) Big South Coastal CarolinaLibertyStony Brook 8–3 (5–1)6–5 (5–1)9–2 (5–1) Miguel Maysonet (Stony Brook) Quinn Backus (Coastal Carolina) Joe Moglia (Coastal Carolina) CAA New HampshireRichmondVillanovaTowsonOld Dominion had the best conference record at 7–1, but was not eligible for the title because it announced its 2013 departure for Conference USA in May 2012. Under CAA bylaws, a school that announces its departure immediately becomes ineligible for conference championships. 8–3 (6–2)8–3 (6–2)8–3 (6–2)7–4 (6–2) Taylor Heinicke (Old Dominion) Stephon Robertson (James Madison) Andy Talley (Villanova) Ivy Penn 6–4 (6–1) Colton Chapple (Harvard) Mike Catapano (Princeton) MEAC Bethune-Cookman 9–2 (8–0) Nick Elko (Delaware State) Keith Pough (Howard) Brian Jenkins (Bethune Cookman) MVFC North Dakota State 10–1 (7–1) Matt Brown (Illinois State) Marcus Williams (North Dakota State) Craig Bohl (North Dakota State) NEC WagnerAlbany 9–2 (7–1) Jordan Harris (Bryant) Nolan Nearhoof (Robert Morris) Walt Hameline (Wagner) OVC Eastern Illinois 7–4 (6–1) Erik Lora (Eastern Illinois) Blake Peiffer (Southeast Missouri State) Dino Babers (Eastern Illinois) Patriot Colgate 8–3 (6–0) Gavin McCarney (Colgate) Robert McCabe (Georgetown) Dick Biddle (Colgate) Pioneer ButlerDrake 8–3 (7–1) Matt Lancaster (Butler) Tyler Moorehead (Drake) Jeff Voris (Butler) Southern Georgia SouthernAppalachian StateWofford 8–3 (6–2) Eric Breitenstein (Wofford) Jeremy Kimbrough (Appalachian State)Davis Tull (Chattanooga) Kevin Higgins (The Citadel)Pat Sullivan (Samford) Southland Central ArkansasSam Houston State 9–2 (6–1)8–3 (6–1) Wynrick Smothers (Central Arkansas) Darnell Taylor (Sam Houston State) Clint Conque (Central Arkansas) a Playoff qualifiers Automatic berths for conference champions Big Sky Conference – Eastern Washington Big South Conference – Coastal Carolina Colonial Athletic Association – Villanova Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference – Bethune-Cookman Missouri Valley Football Conference – North Dakota State Northeast Conference – Wagner Ohio Valley Conference – Eastern Illinois Patriot League – Colgate Southern Conference – Georgia Southern Southland Conference – Central Arkansas At large qualifiers Big Sky Conference - Montana State and Cal Poly Big South Conference - Stony Brook Colonial Athletic Association - New Hampshire and Old Dominion Missouri Valley Football Conference - Illinois State and South Dakota State Southern Conference - Wofford and Appalachian State Southland Conference - Sam Houston State Abstains Ivy League – Penn Southwestern Athletic Conference – Arkansas–Pine Bluff Postseason NCAA Division I playoff bracket y 1 First RoundNovember 24Campus sites Second RoundDecember 1Campus sites QuarterfinalsDecember 7 and December 8Campus sites SemifinalsDecember 14 and December 15Campus sites National Championship Game January 5FC Dallas Stadium,Frisco, Texas ESPN2 Dial Global Sports2013 FCS National Championship Bowl: North Dakota State Bisons vs. Sam Houston State Bearkats http://stats.statbroadcast.com/statmonitr/?id=14493 Stat Broadcast January 1, 2013 Eastern Illinois 10 South Dakota State* 58 Coastal Carolina 24 Bethune-Cookman* 14 Colgate 20 Wagner* 31 Villanova 10 Stony Brook* 20 South Dakota State 3 1 North Dakota State* 28 New Hampshire 7 Wofford* 23 Coastal Carolina 35 4 Old Dominion* 63 Central Arkansas 16 5 Georgia Southern* 24 Wagner 19 2 Eastern Washington* 29 Illinois State †38 Appalachian State* 37 Stony Brook 10 3 Montana State* 16 Cal Poly 16 Sam Houston State* 18 1 North Dakota State* 14 Wofford 7 4 Old Dominion* 35 5 Georgia Southern 49 2 Eastern Washington* 51 Illinois State 35 3 Montana State* 16 Sam Houston State 34 1 North Dakota State* 23 5 Georgia Southern 20 2 Eastern Washington* 42 Sam Houston State 45 1 North Dakota State* 39 Sam Houston State 13 * Home team    † Overtime Coaching changes Preseason and in-season This is restricted to coaching changes that took place on or after May 1, 2012. For coaching changes that occurred earlier in 2012, see 2011 NCAA Division I FCS end-of-season coaching changes. SchoolOutgoing coachDateReasonReplacement Southern Stump Mitchell September 17 Firedhttp://www.gojagsports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=641586&SPID=96902&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=205686928&DB_OEM_ID=28100 Mitchell reassigned, Odums named interim coach Southern University Athletic Media Relations September 17, 2012 November 26, 2012 Dawson Odums (interim) Davidson Tripp Merritt November 5 Firedhttp://www.pioneer-football.org/news/archives/2012/806/davidson-dismisses-head-coach-merritt/ Davidson dismisses head coach Merritt Davidson College Athletic Media Relations November 5, 2012 November 17, 2012 Brett Hayford (interim) Florida A&M Joe Taylor November 7 Retiredhttp://www.famuathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=606545&SPID=80904&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=25300&ATCLID=205727418 Joe Taylor Steps Down As FAMU Head Football Coach Florida A&M Sports Information November 7, 2012 November 20, 2012 Earl Holmes (interim) End of season SchoolOutgoing coachDate announcedReasonReplacement Georgia State Bill Curry August 15 Retiredhttps://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/8271433/bill-curry-georgia-state-panthers-coach-retire-season Bill Curry to retire after season Associated Press ESPN.com August 15, 2012 November 26, 2012 Trent Mileshttps://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/8696200/georgia-st-hires-trent-miles-replace-retiring-bill-curry Georgia State hires Trent Miles November 30, 2012 Associated Press December 1, 2012 ESPN.com Campbell Dale Steele November 5 Firedhttp://www.pioneer-football.org/news/archives/2012/805/campbell-head-coach-steele-will-not-return-in-2013/ Campbell head coach Steele will not return in 2013 Campbell University Athletic Media Relations November 5, 2012 November 17, 2012 Mike Minterhttp://www.campbell.edu/news/item/mike-minter-named-head-football-coach-at-campbell-university Mike Minter named head football coach at Campbell University Campbell University Athletic Media Relations November 27, 2012 November 27, 2012 Northwestern State Bradley Dale Peveto November 19 FiredBradley Dale Peveto won't return Associated Press ESPN.com https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/8653981/bradley-dale-peveto-return-northwestern-state-football-coach November 19, 2012 November 28, 2012 Jay Thomashttp://www.nsudemons.com/news/2012/12/20/FB_1220125229.aspx Former Southland champion coach Jay Thomas takes over NSU football Northwestern State University Sports Information December 20, 2012 December 23, 2012 Western Illinois Mark Hendrickson November 19 Firedhttp://www.galesburg.com/newsnow/x719495586/Western-Illinois-football-coach-wont-return https://archive.today/20130102220909/http://www.galesburg.com/newsnow/x719495586/Western-Illinois-football-coach-wont-return dead January 2, 2013 Western Illinois football coach won't return The Register-Mail Galesburg.com November 20, 2012 November 27, 2012 Bob Nielsonhttp://www.goleathernecks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=50026&SPID=4963&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=205838274&DB_OEM_ID=12000 Bob Nielson Named Leatherneck Head Football Coach Western Illinois Athletics December 19, 2012 December 23, 2012 Morehead State Matt Ballard November 20 Firedhttp://www.kentucky.com/2012/11/20/2415467/morehead-state-fires-football.html Morehead State fires football coach Ballard Lexington Herald-Leader November 20, 2012 November 20, 2012 Rob Tenyerhttp://www.msueagles.com/news/2012/12/13/FB_1213121921.aspx Tenyer Introduced as Morehead State Head Football Coach Morehead State University Athletic Media Relations December 13, 2012 December 18, 2012 Indiana State Trent Miles November 30 Hired by Georgia State Mike Sanfordhttp://www.gosycamores.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=65228&SPID=7269&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=205826960&DB_OEM_ID=15200 Mike Sanford Tabbed As Indiana State Head Football Coach Indiana State University Athletics December 14, 2012 December 18, 2012 Jacksonville State Jack Crowe November 30 FiredHead football coach Jack Crowe out at Jacksonville State Jacksonville State Sports Information AL.com http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/11/head_football_coach_jack_crowe.html#incart_river November 30, 2012 December 1, 2012 Bill Clarkhttp://www.jsugamecocksports.com/news/2012/12/18/FB_1218124434.aspx?path=football JSU Announces Bill Clark as Head Football Coach Jacksonville State University Athletics December 15, 2012 December 23, 2012 UC Davis Bob Biggs December 1 Retiredhttp://www.ucdavisaggies.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120111aaa.html Biggs To Retire From Coaching After 2012 Season UC Davis Sports Information December 1, 2012 December 18, 2012 Ron Gouldhttp://www.ucdavisaggies.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/121712aae.html Ron Gould Named UC Davis Head Football Coach UC Davis Sports Information December 17, 2012 December 18, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20170928150715/http://www.ucdavisaggies.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/121712aae.html September 28, 2017 dead Appalachian State Jerry Moore December 2 Retiredhttp://www.goasu.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=104458&SPID=12811&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=21500&ATCLID=205819345 Jerry Moore Tenure Comes to an End at Appalachian Appalachian Sports Information December 2, 2012 December 18, 2012 Scott Satterfieldhttp://www.goasu.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=104458&SPID=12811&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=21500&ATCLID=205825054 Satterfield Named App State's 20th Football Coach Appalachian Sports Information December 14, 2012 December 18, 2012 Cornell Kent Austin December 17 Hired by Hamilton Tiger-Catshttps://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/football/report-ticats-hire-kent-austin-to-be-head-coach-head-up-football-operations/article6469834/ Ticats hire Kent Austin to be head coach, head up football operations Rachel Brady The Globe and Mail Toronto December 17, 2012 December 23, 2012 David Archerhttp://cornellbigred.com/news/2013/1/3/FB_0103132924.aspx David Archer '05 Named The 27th Football Coach At Cornell University Cornell University Sports Information January 3, 2013 January 10, 2013 San Diego Ron Caragher December 17 Hired by San Jose Statehttp://usdtoreros.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/121712aaa.html Caragher Named New San Jose State University Head Football Coach University of San Diego Official Athletic Site December 17, 2012 July 14, 2013 Dale Lindsey Davidson Brett Hayford December 21 Permanent replacement Paul Nicholshttp://www.davidsonwildcats.com/news/2012/12/21/FB_1221125906.aspx?path=football Davidson Names Alum Paul Nichols Head Football Coach Davidson College Athletics December 21, 2012 December 23, 2012 Charleston Southern Jay Mills January 3 RetiredCharleston Southern football coach Mills resigns http://msn.foxsports.com/collegefootball/story/Charleston-Southern-football-coach-Mills-resigns-00818166 https://archive.today/20130426000550/http://msn.foxsports.com/collegefootball/story/Charleston-Southern-football-coach-Mills-resigns-00818166 dead April 26, 2013 Associated Press FOXSports.com January 3, 2013 February 10, 2013 Jamey ChadwellShelton David Charleston Southern introduces Chadwell as new football coach http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20130118/PC20/130119257/1268/charleston-southern-introduces-chadwell-as-new-football-coach&source=RSS February 10, 2013 The Post and Courier January 18, 2013October 2025 medicmedic Delaware K. C. Keeler January 7 FiredTresolini Kevin http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20130107/SPORTS07/130107025/UD-fires-football-coach-K-C-Keeler UD fires football coach K.C. Keeler The News Journal January 7, 2013 January 7, 2013 Dave Brockhttps://www.espn.com/blog/ncfnation/post/_/id/76351/rutgers-oc-dave-brock-headed-to-delaware Rutgers OC Dave Brock headed to Delaware ESPN January 18, 2013 January 18, 2013 Gardner–Webb Ron Dickerson, Jr. January 17 ResignedGardner–Webb coach resigns https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/8858440/gardner-webb-runnin-bulldogs-coach-ron-dickerson-jr-resigns-pursue-other-opportunities Associated Press ESPN.com January 18, 2013 February 10, 2013 Carroll McCrayhttp://www.goupstate.com/article/20130128/ARTICLES/130129650 North Greenville football coach McCray leaves for Gardner-Webb The Greenville News Greenville, South Carolina GoUpstate.com January 28, 2013 February 10, 2013 Savannah State Steve Davenport April 17 FiredHeath Donald SSU fires football coach Davenport http://savannahnow.com/sports/2013-04-17/ssu-fires-football-coach-davenport#.UW9Owiugm0I 18 April 2013 Savannah Morning News 17 April 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130422032823/http://savannahnow.com/sports/2013-04-17/ssu-fires-football-coach-davenport 22 April 2013 live Earnest Wilson IIIhttp://savannahnow.com/sports/2013-06-07/earnest-wilson-iii-hired-new-ssu-football-coach Earnest Wilson III hired as new SSU football coach Savannah Morning News 12 July 2013 In addition to the above changes, Southern named its interim head coach Dawson Odums as permanent head coach on December 14.http://www.gojagsports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=641586&SPID=96902&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=205825007&DB_OEM_ID=28100 Broussard tabs Odums as Southern's head coach Southern University Athletic Media Relations December 14, 2012 December 18, 2012 See also College football 2012 NCAA Division I FCS football rankings References 30em