2024 NCAA Division III football season explained

The 2024 NCAA Division III football season is the component of the 2024 college football season organized by the NCAA at the Division III level in the United States. The regular season began on September 1 and will end on November 16. This is the 51st season that the NCAA has sponsored a Division III championship.

Cortland is the defending national champion.

The playoffs were expanded from 32 from last season to 40 teams.^[1]

The season's playoffs will be played between November 23 and January 5, 2025, culminating in the national championship—also known as the Stagg Bowl. The game was initially set for Turner Stadium in Humble, Texas,^[2] but was later moved to Shell Energy Stadium in Houston. The move also makes the 2024 championship game the first since 2004 to be played on a grass field.^[3]

Conference changes and new programs

Membership changes

Team	Former conference	New conference
Hilbert Hawks	Independent	Empire 8	[4]
Castleton Spartans	ECFC	MASCAC	[5]
Calvin Knights	New program	MIAA	[6]
Austin Kangaroos	ASC	SCAC	[7]
Centenary Gentlemen	Restarted program	SCAC	[8]
Lyon Scots	Independent	SCAC	[9]
McMurry War Hawks	ASC	SCAC	[10]
Texas Lutheran Bulldogs	ASC	SCAC	[11]
Sul Ross Lobos	ASC	LSC (NCAA D-II)	[12]
Defiance Yellow Jackets	HCAC	MSFA (NAIA)	[13]
Birmingham–Southern Panthers	SAA	School closed	[14]
Maine Maritime Mariners	Restarted program	Independent	[15]

Other headlines

• April 18 – The NCAA D-III Management Council announced that they would support an expansion of the playoff bracket from 32 teams to 40 effective for this season. The amount of automatic qualifier bids will remain unchanged, but the amount of available at-large bids will increase from 4 to 12.
• August 1 – The Commonwealth Coast Conference announced that it would be rebranding to the Conference of New England, effective for the 2024 season.^[16]

Rankings

See main article: 2024 NCAA Division III football rankings.

Postseason

Teams

See also: List of NCAA Division III football championship appearances by team.

Automatic bids (28)

Automatic bids
Conference	School	Record	Appearance	Last
American Rivers	Wartburg	9–1	17th	2023
American Southwest	Hardin–Simmons	10–0	13th	2023
Centennial	Johns Hopkins	9–1	13th	2023
CCIW	North Central (IL)	10–0	16th	2023
ECFC	Alfred State	5–5	2nd	2023
Empire 8	Cortland	10–0	13th	2023
HCAC	Mount St. Joseph	8–2	8th	2023
Landmark	Susquehanna	9–1	6th	2023
Liberty	Hobart	9–1	13th	2016
MASCAC	UMass Dartmouth	10–0	3rd	2022
Michigan	Hope	10–0	6th	2019
Middle Atlantic	King's (PA)	9–1	2nd	2002
Midwest	Lake Forest	10–0	4th	2022
Minnesota	Saint John's (MN)	10–0	29th	2022
NEWMAC	Springfield	10–0	10th	2023
New England	Endicott	9–1	6th	2023
New Jersey	Salisbury	10–0	14th	2022
North Coast	DePauw	10–0	6th	2023
NACC	Aurora	9–1	9th	2023
Northwest	Linfield	9–1	18th	2022
Ohio	Mount Union	10–0	35th	2023
Old Dominion	Randolph–Macon	9–1	7th	2023
Presidents'	Washington & Jefferson	9–1	27th	2018
SAA	Berry	8–2	4th	2019
SCIAC	Pomona-Pitzer	8–2	2nd	2022
Upper Midwest	Northwestern (MN)	7–3	3rd	2022
USA South	Maryville	8–1	3rd	2018
Wisconsin	Wisconsin–Platteville	9–1	3rd	2016

At-large bids (12)

At-large bids
School	Conference	Record	Appearance	Last
Carnegie Mellon	Presidents'	9–1	9th	2022
Grove City	Presidents'	9–1	2nd	2023
Ursinus	Centennial	9–1	3rd	1999
Whitworth	Northwest	9–1	6th	2023
Texas Lutheran	SCAC	9–1	2nd	2014
Bethel (MN)	Minnesota	8–2	13th	2023
Coe	American Rivers	9–1	11th	2023
Centre	SAA	8–2	4th	2018
Wisconsin–La Crosse	Wisconsin	7–3	15th	2023
Trinity (TX)	SAA	8–2	16th	2023
Mary Hardin–Baylor	American Southwest	6–3	19th	2022
John Carroll	Ohio	8–2	8th	2018

Bracket

* - Host team

Bowl games

Division III has 13 bowl games, featuring teams that did not qualify for the Division III postseason tournament; this is the same number of games contested in 2023 season, but features the addition of the Fusion Bowl, two bowls organized by NIL company Opendorse, and the subtraction of the ECAC Lynah Bowl and the New England Bowl series.

Date	Time (EST)	Game	Site	Television	Teams	Affiliations	Results
Nov 23	12:00 pm	Centennial-MAC Bowl Series	Campus sites	CentennialTV MACtv (Streaming)	Widener Muhlenberg*|rowspan=3|Centennial MAC|Muhlenberg 34–7|-|Franklin & Marshall Delaware Valley*	Franklin & Marshall 7–0
			Dickinson FDU–Florham*|FDU–Florham 49–14|-|Whitelaw Bowl||Stevenson Morrisville*		MAC Empire 8	Morrisville 21–18
			Chapman Bowl			Rochester Brockport*|Liberty Empire 8|Brockport 42–23|-|Bushnell Bowl||Alfred Western Connecticut*|Empire 8 MASCAC|Western Connecticut 45–14|-|Lakefront Bowl|Raabe Stadium Wauwatosa, Wisconsin||Monmouth (IL) St. Norbert|MWC NACC|St. Norbert 20–14|-|rowspan=2|1:00 pm|Fusion Bowl|align=center|Campus sites|Northeast Sports Network|Husson Maritime*|CNE NEWMAC|Maritime 21–14|-|Cape Henry Bowl|rowspan=2|Salem Football Stadium Salem, Virginia|rowspan=2|ODAC Sports Network (streaming)|Wilkes Washington & Lee|rowspan=2|Landmark ODAC|Washington & Lee 40–21|-|5:00 pm|Cape Charles Bowl|Moravian Shenandoah|Moravian 35–14|-|3:00 p.m.|Isthmus Bowl|Bank of Sun Prairie Stadium Sun Prairie, Wisconsin||Wisconsin–Stout Wheaton (IL)|WIAC CCIW|Wheaton (IL) 35–32|-|1:00 p.m.|ForeverLawn Bowl|rowspan=2|Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium Canton, Ohio|rowspan=2|FloSports|Hanover Wabash|HCAC NCAC|Hanover 13–10|-|6:00 p.m.|Extra Points Bowl|Marietta Westminster (PA)|OAC PAC|Westminster (PA) 27–13|}* - Host team Coaching changes Preseason and in-season This is restricted to coaching changes that took place on or after May 1, 2024, and will include any changes announced after a team's last regularly scheduled games but before its playoff games. School Outgoing coach Date Reason Replacement Previous position TCNJ Casey Goff May 7, 2024 Hired as head coach for Brooke HS (WV)[17] [18] Eric Jendryaszek[19] (interim) TCNJ offensive line coach (2022–2023) Castleton Tony Volpone May 9, 2024 Resigned[20] Tyler Higley (interim; named full-time on June 13)[21] Castleton defensive coordinator (2022–2023) Westfield State Pete Kowalski May 21, 2024 Retired[22] Lou Conte[23] American International head coach (2023) Chicago Todd Gilcrist Jr. July 5, 2024 Resigned[24] Max Andrews (interim) Chicago offensive line coach (2023) Otterbein Tommy Zagorski July 12, 2024 Resigned[25] Jake Schaefer (interim) Otterbein offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach (2023) Southwestern (TX) Joe Austin July 26, 2024 Retired[26] Bill Kriesel[27] (interim; named full-time on November 5)[28] Southwestern (TX) associate head coach, defensive coordinator, and defensive backs coach (2023) Worcester State Adam Peloquin August 6, 2024 Resigned[29] Zach Besaw (interim) Worcester State defensive backs coach (2020–2023) Maine Maritime Calvin Powell October 11, 2024 Resigned[30] Bill Mottola Jr.[31] Maine Maritime assistant coach (2024) Millikin Carlton Hall October 27, 2024 Fired[32] Patrick Allgeier (interim) Millikin offensive line coach (1996–2024) End of season This list includes coaching changes announced during the season that did not take effect until the end of the season. School Outgoing coach Date Reason Replacement Previous position Wabash Don Morel September 2024 Retired (effective at before team's bowl game) Jake Gilbert Wabash defensive coordinator (2024) Dean Andrae Murphy November 7, 2024 Fired[33] (effective before conference playoffs) Eric Desmond Lee (interim) Dean athletic director (2024–present) Illinois Wesleyan Norm Eash November 10, 2024 Retired[34] (effective at season's end) Saint Vincent Aaron Smetanka November 13, 2024 Fired[35] Olivet Dan Musielewicz November 18, 2024 Fired[36] Warren Maloney (interim) Olivet associate head coach, defensive coordinator, and inside linebackers coach (2013–2024) St. John Fisher Paul Vosburgh November 19, 2024 Retired[37] Franklin (IN) Alan Hensell November 22, 2024 Fired[38] Albright Isaac Collins November 25, 2024 Moved to administrative position[39] Shaun Weaver Frostburg State defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator (2024) Hiram Jack Mrozinski November 26, 2024 Fired[40] See also 2024 NCAA Division I FBS football season 2024 NCAA Division I FCS football season 2024 NCAA Division II football season 2024 NAIA football season 2024 U Sports football season References

Notes and References

1. April 18, 2024 . DIII Management Council supports expanding football, team sport brackets. . en.
2. Web site: October 14, 2020 . From 2022-2025, Stagg will break the mold . D3Football.com . en.
3. Web site: Next Stagg Bowl gets bigger venue . D3Football.com . June 6, 2024 . November 21, 2024.
4. Web site: September 22, 2022. Football to Join Empire 8 Beginning 2024 Season. May 7, 2024. hilberthawks.com. Hilbert College.
5. Web site: January 5, 2023. Castleton University to Join MASCAC Football in 2024. May 7, 2024. mascac.com.
6. Web site: May 18, 2023. Calvin Football Announces 2024 Schedule. May 7, 2024. calvinknights.com. Calvin University.
7. Web site: November 2, 2022. SCAC announces football plan. May 7, 2024. d3football.com.
8. Web site: Centenary Announces Return of Football. gocentenary.com. November 10, 2021.
9. Web site: November 2, 2022. SCAC to Reinstate Football; Adds Lyon as Affiliate for 2024 Season. May 7, 2024. scacsports.com.
10. Web site: October 31, 2022. McMurry University Set to Join SCAC in 2024-25. May 7, 2024. scacsports.com.
11. Web site: November 21, 2023. Texas Lutheran to Join SCAC Football in 2024. May 7, 2024. scacsports.com.
12. Web site: July 24, 2023. Sul Ross State to join the LSC on July 1, 2024. May 7, 2024. lonestarconference.org.
13. Web site: October 6, 2023. Defiance College Board of Trustees approve athletic program's return to NAIA. May 10, 2024. defianceathletics.com.
14. Web site: Moody. Josh. Birmingham-Southern Announces Abrupt Closure. 2024-05-18. insidehighered.com. en.
15. News: Maine Maritime Academy to Reinstate Football Program . Maine Maritime Mariners . January 9, 2023.
16. The Conference of New England is Here. Conference of New England. August 1, 2024. August 1, 2024.
17. Web site: Beal . Barry . May 7, 2024 . Goff Resigns as Head Football Coach . May 7, 2024 . TCNJ Athletics.
18. Web site: Samuels . Doug . May 7, 2024 . Division III head coach resigns for high school head coaching job . May 7, 2024 . Footballscoop.
19. Web site: 2024-05-07 . Jendryaszek Named Interim Head Football Coach for 2024 Season . 2024-06-15 . The College of New Jersey Athletics . en.
20. Web site: 2024-03-10 . Volpone Steps Down, Higley Selected as Interim Head Football Coach . 2024-05-09 . Vermont State University Castleton . en.
21. Web site: 2024-05-09 . VTSU Castleton Removes Interim Tag, Names Higley Head Football Coach . 2024-06-14 . Vermont State University Castleton . en.
22. Web site: 2024-05-31 . Coach K Calls It a Career . en.
23. Web site: 2024-06-04 . Lou Conte, Jr. Named Head Football Coach at Westfield State . en.
24. Web site: Samuels . Doug . 2024-07-05 . Sources: Todd Gilcrist resigns after two seasons at University of Chicago . 2024-07-05 . Footballscoop.
25. Web site: 2024-07-12 . Zagorski Leaving Coaching to Focus on Personal Health . 2024-07-14 . Otterbein University Athletics . en.
26. Web site: 2024-07-16 . Joe Austin to Retire as Southwestern University Head Football Coach .
27. Web site: 2024-07-19 . Southwestern Athletics Designates Bill Kriesel as Interim Head Football Coach, Nick Mask as Assistant Head Coach . Southwestern Pirates.
28. News: November 5, 2024 . Southwestern University Names Bill Kriesel as Permanent Head Football Coach . November 26, 2024 . Southwestern University.
29. Web site: Barnett . Zach . 2024-08-06 . Sources: Division III head coach resigns one month before season opener . 2024-08-07 . Footballscoop.
30. Web site: Beaudoin . Jack . October 10, 2024 . MMA football coaches resign midseason . November 22, 2024 . Penobscot Bay Press.
31. Web site: October 22, 2025 . Bill Mottola Named Interim Head Football Coach . November 22, 2024 . Maine Maritime Academy .
32. Web site: October 27, 2024 . Hall Relieved of Head Coaching Duties at Millikin . October 28, 2024 . Millikin University Athletics.
33. Web site: Samuels . Doug . 2024-11-07 . Source: Dean College has made a head coaching change . 2024-11-08 . Footballscoop . en.
34. Web site: 2024-11-09 . Norm Eash Announces Retirement After 38 Years Leading IWU . 2024-11-10 . Illinois Wesleyan University Athletics . en.
35. News: November 13, 2024 . Saint Vincent College begins search for new football coach . November 18, 2024 . Saint Vincent College.
36. News: November 18, 2024 . The University of Olivet Announces Leadership Change in Football Program . November 18, 2024 . Olivet University.
37. News: November 19, 2024 . St. John Fisher Head Football Coach Paul Vosburgh Announces Retirement . November 19, 2024 . St. John Fisher University.
38. Web site: November 22, 2024 . Franklin College Announces Football Leadership Change . November 26, 2024 . Franklin College.
39. Web site: November 25, 2024 . Shaun Weaver Named Head Football Coach; Isaac Collins Named Director of Admissions . November 26, 2024 . Albright College Athletics.
40. Web site: 2024-11-25 . Hiram To Make Leadership Change In Football Program . 2024-12-01 . Hiram College . en.