Though the Chapman University football program debuted more than a century ago, the team’s major highlights only started rolling in recently. 

Part of the reason is that after a relatively unsuccessful run as California Christian from 1923-1932, the program went on a 62-year hiatus, returning in 1994 with the first of three consecutive winning seasons. 

While the next two decades weren’t quite as memorable, the Panthers found their stride in 2014 with their first Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title and inaugural trip to the NCAA Division III Playoffs. 

Chapman has been a threat ever since, and 2025 should be no different, though there have been some big changes within the program.

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The head coach who eventually turned around the Chapman football program, Bob Owens, announced his retirement in May and stepped away from the program at the end of June. 

In 2006, he inherited a struggling team that had just endured six consecutive losing seasons, and while it took him some time to find a rhythm, he has transformed Chapman football.

In 18 full seasons, plus the 2020 campaign, which was canceled due to COVID-19, Owens compiled an overall record of 106-63. That includes 13 winning seasons, four SCIAC championships and four trips to the playoffs.  

The best year for Owens and the Panthers was 2019, a 10-1 campaign that included a 7-0 conference mark and advancement to the second round of the Division III playoffs. The record season ended with a 34-33 loss to Minnesota’s Saint John’s after a 68-65 opening-round win over Linfield. 

Part of Owens’ legacy includes winning the first SCIAC championship game under the conference’s new two-division format, which was introduced in 2023. He also captained the SCIAC Coaching Staff of the Year in 2014, 2017, 2019 and 2023 – their championship seasons.

As of July 1, a new Chapman head coach has not been announced. Who will be lucky enough to inherit the talented program?

In 2024, the Panthers were 7-3 overall and 6-2 in SCIAC games, winning the conference’s Surf Division. They lost to Pomona-Pitzer in the championship game, 37-34.

How To Stream Chapman Football Games In 2025

Every SCIAC and home Chapman University football game will stream live on FloCollege and the FloSports app. 

Game replays, highlights and breaking news will also be available on both platforms.

Chapman Football Schedule 2025

All Times Eastern/Pacific

• Sept. 6 (Sat): 10 p.m./7 p.m. vs. Hardin-Simmons
• Sept. 20 (Sat): 4 p.m./1 p.m. at Linfield
• Sept. 27 (Sat): 10 p.m./7 p.m. vs. La Verne
• Oct. 4 (Sat): 10 p.m./7 p.m. vs. Redlands
• Oct. 11 (Sat): 10 p.m./7 p.m. at Pomona-Pitzer
• Oct. 18 (Sat): 10 p.m./7 p.m. at Cal Lutheran
• Oct. 25 (Sat): 10 p.m./7 p.m. vs. Claremont-Mudd-Scripps
• Nov. 1 (Sat): 10 p.m./7 p.m. vs. Pomona-Pitzer
• Nov. 8 (Sat): 4 p.m./1 p.m. at La Verne
• Nov. 15 (Sat): 10 p.m./7 p.m. vs. TBD (SCIAC Championship)

What Was The Chapman Football Record In 2024?

7-3 (6-2 SCIAC)

• Chapman 43, Pacific University 23
• Whitworth 35, Chapman 28
• Chapman 32, Redlands 10
• Chapman 24, Cal Lutheran 20
• Chapman 41, Claremont-Mudd-Scripps 13
• Pomona-Pitzer 21, Chapman 17
• Chapman 28, Cal Lutheran 18
• Chapman 9, Claremont-Mudd-Scripps 7
• Chapman 42, La Verne 21
• Pomona-Pitzer 37, Chapman 34 (SCIAC Championship)

When Do The 2025 NCAA Division III College Football Playoffs Start?

The first round of the 2025 NCAA Division III Playoffs will be Nov. 22.

The 2025 Division III Football Championship title game will be played Jan. 10, 2026, at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.

College Football Rankings 2024 – Final AFCA Division III Coaches Poll

End Of 2024 Season

1. North Central (Ill.) (43) 15-0
2. Mount Union (Ohio) 14-1
3. Johns Hopkins (Md.) 12-2
4. Susquehanna (Pa.) 12-2
5. Salisbury (Md.) 12-1
6. Springfield (Mass.) 12-1
7. St. John’s (Minn.) 11-1
8. Cortland (N.Y.) 11-1
9. DePauw (Ind.) 11-1
10. Bethel (Minn.) 11-3
11. Mary Hardin-Baylor (Tex.) 8-4
12. Wartburg (Iowa) 10-2
13. Hope (Mich.) 11-1
14. Carnegie Mellon (Pa.) 10-2
15. Hardin-Simmons (Tex.) 10-1
16. Linfield (Ore.) 10-2
17. Wisconsin-Platteville 9-2
18. Randolph-Macon (Va.) 10-2
19. Endicott (Mass.) 10-2
20. Grove City (Pa.) 9-2
21. Wisconsin-La Crosse 8-4
22. Aurora (Ill.) 9-2
23. Whitworth (Wash.) 10-2
24. Washington & Jefferson (Pa.) 9-2
25. Coe (Iowa) 9-2

Others Receiving Votes: Hobart (N.Y.), 80; Lake Forest (Ill.), 49; John Carroll (Ohio), 42; Trinity (Tex.), 37; Wheaton (Ill.), 26; Wisconsin-River Falls, 24; King’s (Pa.), 15; Centre (Ky.), 11; Maryville (Tenn.), 10; Massachusetts-Dartmouth, 5; Texas Lutheran, 5; Ursinus (Pa.), 3; Wisconsin-Oshkosh, 2; Alma (Mich.), 1.

Highlights: Chapman Vs. Pomona-Pitzer Football | 2024 SCIAC Championship

Archived Footage On FloCollege

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