Troy Trojans Football

As a formidable force in NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) competitions, Troy University's football program has left an indelible mark since its inception in 2001. Joining the Sun Belt Conference in 2004, the Trojans have showcased their prowess on the gridiron, securing an impressive tally of 23 conference championships, including eight within the Sun Belt Conference. Home games are played at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Troy, Alabama.

Troy Trojans Football Introduction

The history of Troy University's football program traces back to 1946, although its early years were marked by challenges and interruptions. Between 1909 and 1942, events like World War I and economic downturns, such as the Wall Street Crash of 1929, disrupted consistent play. Despite these hurdles, the program persisted, demonstrating resilience and determination.

Throughout its history, Troy football has experienced various conference affiliations. It began as an independent team from 1909 to 1937, then joined the Alabama Intercollege Conference, followed by the Alabama College Conference and later the Gulf South Conference. The team also had stints in the Southland Conference before settling in the Sun Belt Conference in 2004, where it remains today.

Troy Trojans Football History

The football legacy at Troy University traces back to 1909, although continuous play began in 1946. In the beginning, there were occasional breaks, especially from 1913 to 1920, because not many people were participating and also because of World War I.

Coach George Penton guided the Trojans to an undefeated season in 1911, boasting a 3–0 record. Albert Elmore, from 1931 to 1937, introduced changes, including adopting the name "Red Wave," culminating in five winning seasons out of seven.

Fred McCollum, leading from 1947 to 1950, achieved back-to-back six-win seasons. William Clipson, head coach from 1955 to 1965, struggled with a mostly losing record, punctuated by a lone winning season in 1964.

The Billy Atkins era (1966–1971) marked a resurgence, including an NAIA National Championship win in 1968. Tom Jones (1972–1973) and Byrd Whigham (1974–1975) followed with moderate success.

Charlie Bradshaw's tenure (1976–1982) witnessed highs, including a conference championship, but concluded with declining performance. Chan Gailey (1983–1984) secured a Division II championship in 1984 before departing for the NFL.

Rick Rhoades (1985–1987) and Robert Maddox (1988–1990) experienced mixed results, with Maddox resigning after a modest improvement in the 1990 season.

Troy Trojans Football Coach

Gerad Michael Parker, born on January 4, 1981, is an American college football coach and former player. He assumed the position of head football coach at Troy University on December 18, 2023. Prior to his role at Troy, Parker served as the offensive coordinator and tight ends coach at the University of Notre Dame, as well as the offensive coordinator at West Virginia University.

Parker's football career includes playing as a wide receiver at the University of Kentucky from 2000 to 2004, under head coaches Hal Mumme, Guy Morriss, and Rich Brooks. Notably, he also filled the role of interim head coach at Purdue University for six games in 2016. With his experience both on the field and in coaching positions, Parker brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Troy Trojans football program.

Here is a table listing all the head coaches and the duration they served as head coach:

Troy Trojans Football Stadium: Veterans Memorial Stadium

Veterans Memorial Stadium at Larry Blakeney Field, located in Troy, Alabama, is a symbol of American football's history and tradition. Originally constructed in 1950, the stadium has continually evolved to meet the needs of its patrons. Over time, expansions and renovations have increased its seating capacity to 30,470, offering plenty of space for fans to cheer on the Troy University Trojans.

In 1998, a significant renovation added a spacious upper deck, financed in part by a generous contribution from Richard M. Scrushy, founder of HealthSouth—however, subsequent events led to the removal of Scrushy's name from the field. Further enhancements in 2003 reshaped the stadium into a flattened "U" shape, accompanied by the installation of a synthetic turf system.

Subsequent upgrades, including the addition of LED video boards and ribbon boards in 2014, have enhanced the stadium's atmosphere. The recent construction of the $24-million North End zone Facility in 2017 further modernized the venue, ensuring an enjoyable experience for all attendees. Throughout its history, Veterans Memorial Stadium remains a cherished landmark, paying tribute to both the sacrifices of World War II and the triumphs of Trojan football.

Troy Trojans Football Rivals

South Alabama

Troy maintains a fierce intra-conference rivalry with South Alabama, known as the Battle for the Belt. This annual clash began in 2012 and has persisted every year since. Both schools have competed in the Sun Belt's West Division since 2022. Currently, Troy leads the series 8–3.

UAB

Troy and UAB have a competitive history, having faced each other 12 times. Their encounters were consistent until UAB's football program halted in 2014, only to be later revived. Scheduled to reignite in 2028, this rivalry holds significance for both teams. As of now, Troy holds a series lead of 7–5.

Tennessee

The Battle for the Palladium represents the rivalry between Troy and Middle Tennessee. Originating in 1936, it wasn't until 2003 that the annual tradition commenced, with both teams competing for the Palladium Trophy. Though the rivalry lapsed after Middle Tennessee's shift to Conference USA in 2013, a temporary resurgence occurred in 2020 due to pandemic-related scheduling adjustments.

Troy Trojans Football Record and stats

• 1968: Won NAIA National Championship against Texas A&I (now Texas A&M-Kingsville)

• 1984: Won first Division II National Championship by defeating North Dakota State

• 1987: Won second Division II National Championship by defeating Portland State

• They have won a total of 23 conference championships, 17 outright wins and 6 shared titles

• Since the start of divisional play in the Sun Belt Conference in 2018, Troy has won 2 East Division championships

Conference championships

Division championships

Troy Trojans Football Roster

On the offensive side, players include:

On the defensive, notable players include:

Troy Trojans Football Schedule

Troy Trojans 2024 Regular season matchups are as follows: