Samford Bulldogs football, 1984–1989 encompassed all of the seasons of college football played at Samford University as a participant in NCAA Division III as an independent through their transition to Division I-AA as an independent. During the entirety of this period, Samford played their home games at Seibert Stadium in Homewood, Alabama.
In February 1974, the Board of Trustees voted to eliminate the program after 68 years of competition. The decision was made at the time due to the rising costs of running an intercollegiate football program that was compounded with dwindling fan support. In March 1984, University President Thomas E. Corts announced Samford would revive the football program for their 1984 season and competed as a Division III independent.
In April 1984, Kim Alsop was introduced as head coach for the Bulldogs. He remained as head coach for three seasons and led the Bulldogs to an overall record of 6 wins and 20 losses. In January 1987, Terry Bowden was hired as head coach at Samford, and he remained in the position through their 1992 season. He successfully led the Bulldogs through their transition from Division III to Division I-AA by the 1989 season.
1984
The 1984 Samford Bulldogs football team was an American football team that represented Samford University as an independent during the 1984 NCAA Division III football season. Led by first-year head coach Kim Alsop, the team compiled a 1–7 record.
This marked the return of football at Samford since the discontinuation of the program after their 1973 season. On April 26, University President Thomas E. Corts introduced Alsop as the head coach for the revived Samford program. Alsop came to Samford from Northside Christian High School in St. Petersburg, Florida where he served as head coach. Samfords win against Sewanee was their first since they defeated on November 3, 1973.
Schedule
1985
The 1985 Samford Bulldogs football team was an American football team that represented Samford University as an independent during the 1985 NCAA Division III football season. Led by second-year head coach Kim Alsop, the team compiled a 2–8 record.
Schedule
1986
The 1986 Samford Bulldogs football team was an American football team that represented Samford University as an independent during the 1986 NCAA Division III football season. Led by third-year head coach Kim Alsop, the team compiled a 3–6 record.
In December, Alsop's contract was not renewed by Samford which ended his tenure as head coach of the Bulldogs. In his three seasons with the program, Alsop led the Bulldogs to an overall record of 6 wins and 20 losses.
Schedule
1987
The 1987 Samford Bulldogs football team was an American football team that represented Samford University as an independent during the 1987 NCAA Division III football season. Led by first-year head coach Terry Bowden, the team compiled a 9–1 record.
In January, Bowden was hired as head coach of the Bulldogs. His father, Bobby Bowden previously served as head coach of the Bulldogs from 1959–1962 when the school was still known as Howard College. Of note, quarterback Jimbo Fisher, who transferred from Salem College, set the Division III record for touchdown passes in a season with 34.
Schedule
1988
The 1988 Samford Bulldogs football team was an American football team that represented Samford University as an independent during the 1988 NCAA Division III football season. Led by second-year head coach Terry Bowden, the team compiled a 5–6 record.
This was a transitional season for Samford, as they were moving from NCAA Division II to the NCAA's Division I-AA. During the February National Signing Day, they signed ten players to athletic scholarships and had 25 under scholarship by the start of the season.
Schedule
1989
References