The Charleston Golden Eagles football program represents the University of Charleston in college football at the NCAA Division II level as a member of the Mountain East Conference (MEC). The Golden Eagles play their home games at University of Charleston Stadium at Laidley Field in Charleston, West Virginia.
History The University of Charleston first fielded a football team in 1904, when the school was known as Morris Harvey College. The program competed as an independent before joining the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC) in 1924.
The 1950 team finished undefeated at 10–0 and defeated Emory and Henry 35–14 in the 1951 Tangerine Bowl. Under head coach Eddie King, the Golden Eagles won five WVIAC championships between 1948 and 1954, including an extended conference winning streak that began after a loss to West Virginia Tech in 1949 and continued without another conference defeat through the end of the 1956 season. The university discontinued the football program following the 1956 season.
The 1950 Golden Eagles are recognized by the university as the “Unofficial Small College National Champions,” the only team in school history to receive a national designation.
On November 19, 2002, the university announced that after a 47-year hiatus, football would be reinstated for the 2003 season, with the school rejoining the WVIAC and competing at the NCAA Division II level. Charleston played its first football game since 1956 against rival West Virginia Tech at Laidley Field, falling 17–21. Following the dissolution of the WVIAC in 2012, Charleston became a charter member of the newly formed Mountain East Conference (MEC) in 2013.
Under head coach Pat Kirkland, who took over in 2011, the Golden Eagles recorded a breakout season in 2015, finishing 10–2 and earning the program's first berth in the NCAA Division II Football Championship, placing No. 20 in the final national poll. Kirkland led the program to six MEC runner-up finishes before departing for Jacksonville State following the 2021 season. Former UC player and assistant coach Quinn Sanders was hired in 2022.
The 2023 team finished 10–2, reached No. 19 in the national rankings, and captured the university's first MEC championship, securing its first NCAA postseason appearance since 2015. Charleston defeated New Haven in the first round before falling to Kutztown. The 2024 squad completed an undefeated regular season, climbed as high as No. 6 nationally, and averaged 43.9 points per game. Junior running back Chavon Wright rushed for 2,235 yards and an NCAA Division II-record 38 rushing touchdowns, finishing as the runner-up for the Harlon Hill Trophy. The team finished No. 15 following a first-round playoff loss to Ashland.
Following the 2024 season, head coach Quinn Sanders stepped down to become the offensive coordinator at Northern Illinois. Michael Tesch was named head coach for the 2025 campaign. The Golden Eagles entered the year ranked No. 14 nationally and finished 8–3, earning a share of the MEC title.
Conference affiliations
Independent (1904–1923) West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (1924–1956) Football program discontinued after 1956 and reinstated for 2003 Independent (2003–2004) West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (2005–2012) Mountain East Conference (2013–present)
Head coaches Since its inception in 1904, Charleston has had 21 head coaches.
Years Coach Record Pct. Seasons 1904–1907 Walter Ropp 5–5 4 1910–1913 Skeeter Shelton 8–10–3 4 1917, 1921–1923 Herman R. Beckelheimer 12–19–2 4 1919 William W. Lovell 1–5 1 1920, 1926–1928 Elbert M. Fulton 13–21–1 4 1924–1925 Heyward J. Hindman 1–10 2 1929 Arthur Rezzonico 0–11 1 1930 Frank Arritt 2–5–2 1 1931 Gibby Welch 5–5 1 1932–1933 Red Weaver 1–17 2 1933–1935 Walter Walker 5–12–1 3 1936 Homer C. Martin 0–9 1 1937–1941 Thurman Ward 28–14–4 5 1942 Cebe Ross 6–1–2 1 1946 Alderson Propps 0–2 1 1946–1956 Eddie King 63–33–4 11 2003–2004 Mike Springston 5–16 2 2005–2010 Tony DeMeo 43–23 6 2011–2021 Pat Kirkland 70–41 11 2022–2024 Quinn Sanders 27–8 3 2025–present Mike Tesch 8–3 1
Championships
Conference
Throughout the history of the University of Charleston football program, the Golden Eagles have secured 11 conference championships, spanning multiple coaching eras and conference affiliations.
Year Conference Coach Record Conference record 1938 WVIAC Thurman Ward 8–1–1 7–0–1 1941† WVIAC Thurman Ward 5–3–1 3–0–1 1942 WVIAC Cebe Ross 6–1–2 4–0 1948 WVIAC Eddie King 5–2–2 3–0–1 1950 WVIAC Eddie King 10–0 5–0 1951 WVIAC Eddie King 6–3–1 4–0 1953 WVIAC Eddie King 6–4–1 4–0 1954 WVIAC Eddie King 8–2 4–0 2023 MEC Quinn Sanders 10–2 8–1 2024 MEC Quinn Sanders 11–1 9–0 2025† MEC Michael Tesch 8–3 7–1 † Co-champions Source:
Division For the 2020 season, the Mountain East Conference temporarily adopted a divisional format.
Year Division Head coach Opponent CG Result 2020 MEC South Pat Kirkland Notre Dame (OH) L, 34–51 Source:
Undefeated seasons
The 1950 Golden Eagles remain the only squad in school history to complete an undefeated season, finishing 10–0 and capping the year with a 35–14 victory over Emory and Henry in the 1951 Tangerine Bowl.
Year Overall Record Conf. Record Head coach 1950 10–0 5–0 Eddie King
Postseason
NCAA Division II playoffs The Golden Eagles have made three appearances in the NCAA Division II playoffs with a combined record of 1–3.
Year Round Opponent Result 2015 First Round IUP L, 21–47 2023 First RoundSecond Round New HavenKutztown W, 52–44L, 31–32 2024 First Round Ashland L, 38–40
Bowl games The Golden Eagles appeared in four bowl games between 1951 and 1954, finishing with a 3–1 record.
Date Bowl W/L Opponent PF PA January 1, 1951 Tangerine Bowl W Emory and Henry 35 14 November 22, 1951 Burley Bowl W Lebanon Valley 27 20 January 2, 1954 Elks Bowl W East Carolina 12 0 December 17, 1954 Cigar Bowl L Tampa 0 21 Total 4 bowl games 3–1 74 55
National rankings
Year Record AFCA D2† 2009 9–2 23 — 2012 9–2 25 — 2015 10–2 20 — 2023 10–2 19 18 2024 11–1 15 18 † D2football.com rankings began in 2019.
Individual awards and achievements
The Charleston Golden Eagles football program has produced numerous standout players and coaches throughout its history.
National awards
List of All-Americans Since 1939, twenty-four Charleston players have earned All-America honors through the 2024 season. One was a consensus First Team honoree, indicated in bold.
1939: Al Thacker (G) 1941: Al Thacker (G) 1950: Leon McCoy (C), Dewey Romine (HB), Charley Hubbard (End) 1954: Fauster Vittone 2006: Blake Burr (HB) 2009: Chris Almonte (DE) 2011: Jordan Roberts (RB) 2012: Jordan Roberts (RB) 2014: Justin Avery (LB), Torie Wagner (CB) 2015: Brett Benes (P), Torie Wagner (CB), Justin Johnson (G) 2016: Brett Benes (P), Justin Johnson (G) 2017: Jalen Nelson (DL) 2018: John Cominsky (DE), Kahzin Daniels (DE) 2019: Mike Strachan (WR), Kei Beckham (CB) 2021: Tyreik McAllister (RB) 2022: Ninon Washington (CB), Chavon Wright (RB) 2023: Chavon Wright (RB), Donovan McCollister (G), Nick Evans (DL), Javonte Howard (QB) 2024: Donovan McCollister (G), Chavon Wright (RB), Cashawn Beasley (S)
Harlon Hill Trophy 2024: Chavon Wright – 2nd place
Conference awards
At the conclusion of the 2025 season, Charleston players have earned eight Offensive or Defensive Player of the Year awards, achieved by seven different athletes. One player has received Freshman of the Year honors, and Charleston coaches have earned five Coach of the Year awards.
Offensive Player of the Year 2012: Jordan Roberts (RB) 2021: Tyreik McAllister (RB) 2023: Chavon Wright (RB) 2024: Chavon Wright (RB)
Defensive Player of the Year 2014: Justin Avery (LB) 2018: John Cominsky (DE) 2023: Nick Evans (DL) 2025: Aden Miller (LB)
Offensive Freshman of the Year 2022: Chavon Wright (RB)
Coach of the Year 1954: Eddie King 2005: Tony DeMeo (D2Football.com) 2012: Pat Kirkland 2023: Quinn Sanders 2024: Quinn Sanders
Regional awards Charleston competes in NCAA Division II Region 1.
D2CCA Region 1 Offensive Player of the Year 2024: Chavon Wright (RB)
Hardman Award 2024: Chavon Wright (RB)
All records per UC Athletics Year-by-year results
Legend † Conference champions ‡ Division champions Bowl game berth Playoff berth (NCAA DII) +List of Charleston Golden Eagles football seasonsSeasonTeamHead coachConferenceDivisionRegular season resultsPostseasonOverallConferenceWinLossTieWinLossTieFinishMorris Harvey Golden Eagles (1904–1956) 1904 1904 Walter Ropp Independent — 3 0 — — — — — 1905 1905 0 1 — — — — — 1906 1906 0 1 — — — — — 1907 1907 2 3 — — — — — 1908 1908 No Coach 3 0 — — —— — 1909 1909 0 3 — — — — — 1910 1910 Skeeter Shelton 0 2 1 — — — — — 1911 1911 4 3 — — —— — 1912 1912 2 2 — — — — — 1913 1913 2 3 2 — — —— — 1914 1914 Unknown 0 4 — — — —— 1915 No team 1916 1916 Unknown Independent — 0 2 0 — — — — — 1917 1917 Herman R. Beckelheimer 2 4 1 — — — — — 1918 No team 1919 1919 William W. Lovell Independent — 1 5 — — — — — 1920 1920 Elbert M. Fulton 5 2 — — — — — 1921 1921 Herman R. Beckelheimer 6 3 — — — — — 1922 1922 4 4 1 — — — — — 1923 1923 0 8 — — — — — 1924 1924 Heyward J. Hindman WVIAC 0 4 — 1925 1925 1 6 0 3 DNQ — 1926 1926 Elbert M. Fulton 3 6 0 3 DNQ — 1927 1927 3 4 1 1 2 DNQ — 1928 1928 2 9 1 6 11th — 1929 1929 Arthur Rezzonico 0 11 0 8 14th — 1930 1930 Frank Arritt 2 5 2 1 3 2 8th — 1931 1931 Gibby Welch 5 5 4 5 3rd — 1932 1932 Red Weaver 0 9 0 4 7th — 1933 1933 1 8 0 5 7th — 1934 1934 Walter Walker 3 5 1 3 2 1 3rd — 1935 1935 2 7 2 4 4th 1936 1936 Homer C. Martin 0 9 0 7 9th 1937 1937 Thurman Ward 5 4 3 4 4th 1938 1938 † 8 1 1 7 0 1 1st 1939 1939 5 3 12 2 1 4th 1940 1940 5 3 1 4 11 3rd 1941 1941 † 5 3 1 3 0 1 T-1st 1942 1942 † Cebe Ross 6 1 2 4 0 1st 1943 No team — World War II 1944 1945 1946 1946 Alderson Propps / Eddie King WVIAC — 25 2 3 7th 1947 1947 Eddie King 4 5 3 3 7th 1948 1948 † 5 2 2 3 0 11st 1949 1949 72 3 1 3rd 1950 1950 † 10 0 5 0 1st Tangerine Bowl: (W) Emory and Henry, 12-0 1951 1951 † 6 3 14 0 1st Burley Bowl: (W) Lebanon Valley, 27-20 1952 1952 6 3 4 0 2nd 1953 1953 † 64 14 0 1st Elks Bowl: (W) East Carolina, 12-0 1954 1954 † 8 2 4 0 1st Cigar Bowl: (L) Tampa, 0-21 1955 1955 45 20 DNQ 1956 1956 5 4 1 0 DNQ Totals (1904–1956) All-time:153–188–19() Conference:70–66–8() — Postseason:3–1() SeasonTeamHead coachConferenceDivisionRegular season resultsPostseasonFinal rankingOverallConferenceAFCAD2WinLossFinishWinLossCharleston Golden Eagles (2003–present) 2003 2003 Mike Springston Independent— 2 9 – – – – — — 2004 2004 3 7 – – – – — — 2005 2005Tony DeMeoWVIAC 8 3 3rd 6 2— — — 2006 2006 5 6 T–3rd 4 3— — — 2007 2007 8 3 T–2nd 6 2 — — — 2008 2008 7 4 T–4th 5 3 — — — 2009 2009 9 2 T–2nd 6 2 — 23 — 2010 2010 6 5 T–5th 4 4 — — — 2011 2011 Pat Kirkland 5 6 T–4th 5 3 — — — 2012 2012 9 2 T–2nd 6 2 — 25 — 2013 2013MEC 6 5 3rd 6 3 — — — 2014 2014 8 3 T–3rd 7 3 — — — 2015 2015 10 22nd 9 1 Lost NCAA Division II First Round vs. IUP, 21-47 20 — 2016 2016 3 8 T–6th 3 7 — — — 2017 2017 4 6 T–4th 4 6 — — — 2018 2018 6 5 4th 6 4 — — — 2019 2019 8 3 2nd 7 3 — — — 2020 2020 ‡ South 3 1 1st (South) 3 0 — — — 2021 2021— 8 2 2nd 8 2 — — — 2022 2022Quinn Sanders 6 5 T–4th 6 4 — — — 2023 2023 † 10 21st 8 1 Won NCAA Division II First Round vs. New Haven, 52-44 Lost NCAA Division II Second Round vs. Kutztown, 31-32 19 18 2024 2024 † 11 11st 9 0 Lost NCAA Division II First Round vs. Ashland, 38-40 15 18 2025 2025 † Mike Tesch 8 3T–1st 7 1 – – – Totals (2003–2025) All-time:152–92() Conference:125–53() Postseason:1–3()
Era Seasons Overall W–L–T Conference W–L–T Postseason Morris Harvey (1904–1956) 51 153–188–19 () 70–66–8 () 3–1 () Charleston (2003–present) 23 152–92 () 125–53 () 1–3 () Combined 74 305–280–19 () 195–119–8 () 4–4 ()