The Coastal Athletic Association Football Conference is approaching two decades of history, but many things have changed since the league began play in 2007.

Only four of the original 12 teams remain, while CAA Football has grown to as large as 16 members.

The current iteration will see 13 teams in the standings for the 2026 season, including Campbell University, which is a few years removed from being the new kid on the block. 

Like all of the CAA teams, all of Campbell’s conference games this year can be watched live on FloCollege and the FloSports app.

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The Campbell Fighting Camels made their CAA debut in 2023 and posted a respectable 4-4 record in a stacked conference. 

They haven’t put up much of a fight since, however, going 1-7 in 2024 and 2-6 in 2025, while compiling a 5-19 overall record.

Since the conclusion of the 2025 season, the CAA lost two perennial contenders – Villanova and William & Mary – but added Sacred Heart, an 8-4 team last year.

The four original teams still fighting for CAA glory are New Hampshire (three), Maine (two), Rhode Island (two) and Towson (two) have combined for nine conference titles. Rhode Island shared the championship with Richmond in 2024 and won it outright in 2025.

While the next big milestone season for CAA Football lies ahead, Campbell will be celebrating something special this year, as the 2026-2027 school years marks the school’s 50th anniversary as a member of NCAA Division I.

As we get settled in for this important season, here are five things to know about Campbell University football ahead of the 2026 campaign:

There Have Been Two Eras Of Campbell Football

Football-wise, there have been two distinct eras at Campbell. 

The first lasted from 1925 to 1950, minus the World War II years of 1946-1948. Then, the program was dormant until being revived in time for the 2008 NCAA Division I FCS season.

The Camels played in the Pioneer Football League from 2008-2017 and the Big South from 2018-2022. The team’s best finish in league play has been third place – in the PFL (2017) and the Big South (2022). 

In the modern era, the Camels are 68-127, and they haven’t won a game since October 2025.

Campbell remains under the leadership of Braxton Harris, a former assistant coach who returned to Buies Creek, North Carolina, in 2024 as the new head coach. He is 5-19 over his first two years as the man in charge.

Is this the year the squad can break through in the CAA and put together its first winning season since going 6-5 three consecutive times from 2017-2019?

Campbell Has A New Defensive Coordinator For 2026

As the calendar turned to 2026, Campbell announced the hiring of a new defensive coordinator for the 2026 season as part of a defensive overhaul.

Brandon Butcher was brought in after spending a year as the linebackers coach at the University of Texas at El Paso. Prior to that, he was the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at the University of Tennessee at Martin, where he was a part of four consecutive conference titles. 

In 2025, Campbell gave up 35.8 points per game, which ranked 12th in the 14-team CAA. It was much the same in the other defensive categories – rushing yards allowed per game (sixth; 137.4), interceptions (eighth; seven), total yards allowed per game (12th; 411.7), sacks registered (t12th; 20) and passing yards allowed per game (14th; 274.3).

Joining Butcher on the defensive coaching staff will be Antonio Minnifee, a former defensive assistant at Pitt, who will work with the outside linebackers. 

DaQuaun Jamison joins the crew as the defensive passing game coordinator and cornerbacks coach. He previously was the defensive backs coach at Duquesne.

Finally, Blaine Miller makes the move to Campbell after a year at Syracuse. He was brought in as the defensive run game coordinator and defensive line coach. 

How Did The Campbell Fighting Camels Perform Overall In 2025?

The Campbell football team struggled in 2025. 

The Camels opened the year with three consecutive losses and closed the season with another five-game losing streak.

The team’s first win in 2025, on the way to a 2-10 record, was an instant classic. 

Campbell downed CAA newcomer Bryant in a 50-48 double-overtime thriller that ended with a 2-point conversion up the middle being the difference. 

It was the first overtime win for Campbell since 2019 and first 50-point effort since 2023. 

Through the end of regulation, the score was knotted at 35. 

The other conference win for the Camels in 2025 was a 38-21 win over Hampton in October. Hampton ended up winless at the bottom of the CAA standings (0-8).

Despite the struggles for Campbell, the team was not snubbed when it came to individual recognition.

Three Camels earned All-CAA nods at the conclusion of the season, though all three will be playing for other teams in 2026, going to Houston Christian, Alabama State and West Georgia, respectively.

2025 CAA Award Winners From Campbell

• Trayjen Llanas-Wilcox, PR/WR, Jr., Third-Team Offense
• Randall King, WR, So., Honorable Mention
• Freddie Pelling, OL, RS-Jr., Honorable Mention  

2025 Campbell Football Results

• Aug. 29 (Fri): Rhode Island 31, Campbell 20 (L)
• Sept. 6 (Sat): East Carolina 56, Campbell 3 (L)
• Sept. 13 (Sat): Furman 28, Campbell 24 (L)
• Sept. 20 (Sat): Campbell 50, Bryant 48 (2OT) (W)
• Sept. 27 (Sat): Western Carolina 42, Campbell 35 (L)
• Oct. 4 (Sat): NC State 56, Campbell 10 (L)
• Oct. 11 (Sat): Campbell 38, Hampton 21 (W)
• Oct. 18 (Sat): New Hampshire 24, Campbell 10 (L)
• Oct. 25 (Sat): North Carolina A&T 28, Campbell 24 (L)
• Nov. 8 (Sat): William & Mary 30, Campbell 27 (OT) (L)
• Nov. 15 (Sat): Elon 31, Campbell 24 (L)
• Nov. 22 (Sat): Towson 35, Campbell 31 (L)

A Look At The CAA And Campbell Football In 2026

With the departure of a couple of talented teams, Campbell’s stock has risen within the CAA.

In the recent preseason poll, the Camels were picked to finish eighth, and senior linebacker DaVonyae Pettis earned All-CAA preseason honorable mention.

Last season, Pettis tallied 25 tackles, including team highs of 8.5 stops for loss and 4.0 sacks, while forcing three fumbles, registering seven quarterback hurries and breaking up three passes. It was his first season at Campbell, after playing two seasons at The Citadel.

Pettis also has been nominated for the 2026 Good Works Team, which recognizes players for their leadership in community service.

The team returns three other defensive starters from 2025, along with six starters on the offensive side of the ball.

A highlight on the Campbell schedule for 2026 is a Sept. 12 trip to The Swamp in Gainesville, Florida, where the Camels will face the Southeastern Conference/FBS powerhouse Florida Gators. It will be the first meeting between the two schools and Campbell’s first matchup with a team from the SEC.

Campbell’s 2026 campaign will begin on the road against East Tennessee State on Aug. 29, and conference play for the Camels will start at home against North Carolina A&T on Sept. 19.

Campbell Football Schedule For 2026

All Times Eastern

• Aug. 29 (Sat): 5:30 p.m. at ETSU
• Sept. 5 (Sat): 3:30 p.m. vs. Western Carolina
• Sept. 12 (Sat): 5:30 p.m. at Florida
• Sept. 19 (Sat): 6 p.m. vs. North Carolina A&T*
• Sept. 26 (Sat): 6 p.m. at Hampton*
• Oct. 3 (Sat): 6 p.m. at North Carolina Central
• Oct. 17 (Sat): 3:30 p.m. vs. Towson
• Oct. 24 (Sat): 1 p.m. at Maine*
• Oct. 31 (Sat): Noon at UAlbany*
• Nov. 7 (Sat): 1 p.m. vs. Stony Brook*
• Nov. 14 (Sat): 2 p.m. at Elon*
• Nov. 21 (Sat): 1 p.m. vs. Monmouth*

*CAA games 

Predicted Order Of Finish For CAA Teams In 2026

1. Rhode Island (12 first-place votes), 144
2. Monmouth, 119
3. Elon, 115
4. New Hampshire, 106
5. Stony Brook (1 first-place vote), 105
6. Towson, 93
7. Maine, 88
8. Campbell, 56
9. Bryant, 50
10. Sacred Heart, 49
11. UAlbany, 35
12. North Carolina A&T, 28
13. Hampton, 26

*Villanova and William & Mary left the CAA for the Patriot League, and Sacred Heart joins the CAA for the 2026 season. 

Order Of Finish For CAA Teams In 2025

CAA (Overall)

• Rhode Island: 8-0 (11-3)
• Villanova: 7-1 (12-3)
• New Hampshire: 6-2 (8-5)
• Monmouth: 6-2 (9-3)
• William & Mary: 6-2 (7-5)
• Maine: 5-3 (6-6)
• Elon: 4-4 (6-6)
• Stony Brook: 4-4 (6-6)
• Towson: 4-4 (6-6)
• Campbell: 2-6 (2-10)
• North Carolina A&T: 2-6 (2-10)
• Bryant: 1-7 (3-9)
• UAlbany: 1-7 (2-10)
• Hampton: 0-8 (2-10)

Campbell Football Fast Facts

• The first Campbell football team took the field in 1925 when the school was known as the Buies Creek Academy.
• Campbell is 0-14 against FBS opponents. The University of Florida is the lone FBS team on this year’s schedule.
• The Camels play their home games at Barker-Lane Stadium in Buies Creek, North Carolina.
• The first game of the modern Campbell football era was a 12-6 loss to Birmingham Southern to kick off the 2008 season. After four consecutive losses, the Camels’ first win came against Carthage (36-27). It was the only game CU won that year.

Final AFCA Division I FCS Coaches Poll For 2025 Season

1. Montana St. (14-2)
2. Illinois St. (12-5)
3. Montana (13-2)
4. Villanova (12-3)
5. North Dakota St. (12-1)
6. Tarleton St. (12-2)
7. Stephen F. Austin (11-3)
8. UC Davis (9-4)
9. Lehigh (12-1)
10. Rhode Island (11-3)
11. South Dakota (10-5)
12. ACU (9-5)
13. Yale (9-3)
14. South Dakota St. (9-5)
15. Tennessee Tech (11-2)
16. North Dakota (8-6)
17. Youngstown St. (8-5)
18. Mercer (9-3)
19. Southeastern Louisiana (9-4)
20. Monmouth (N.J.) (9-3)
21. Lamar (8-5)
22. Jackson St. (9-3)
23. Harvard (9-2)
24. West Georgia (8-3)
25. South Carolina St. (10-3)

Dropped Out: Southern Illinois (25)

Others Receiving Votes: New Hampshire, 35; Lafayette, 30; Southern Illinois, 29; Drake, 20; UT Rio Grande Valley, 20; Prairie View A&M, 16; Central Connecticut St., 15; Richmond, 15; Alabama St., 10; Presbyterian, 10; Southern Utah, 5; Austin Peay, 2.

Some Things To Know About FCS Football

The FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) is the second tier of NCAA Division I football, with the top tier being the FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision). 

While the FBS determines its national champion through a 12-team, committee-selected College Football Playoff, the FCS Championship includes 24 teams.

The FCS conference champions automatically qualify for the playoffs, and the remaining spots are filled via at-large selection. 

This season, there will be 128 programs across 13 conferences. The regular season will begin in late August, and the playoffs will get underway at the end of November. 

Who Won The Each Football National Championship For The 2025-2026 Season?

• Division I FBS – Indiana def. Miami, 27-21
• Division I FCS – Montana State def. Illinois State 35-34 (OT)
• Division II – Ferris State def. Harding, 42-21
• Division III – University of Wisconsin-River Falls def. North Central (Ill.), 24-14

When Do The 2026 NCAA Division I FCS Playoffs Start?

The first round of the 2026 NCAA FCS Playoffs will be Nov. 28.

The format includes 24 teams and five rounds of play – first round, second round, quarterfinals, semifinals and the championship game. Everything through the semifinals will be played at the site of the participating schools.

Round 2 is set for Dec. 5, the quarterfinals will be held Dec. 11 (one game) and Dec. 12 (three games) and the semifinals will take place Dec. 19.

The 2026 FCS national championship will be determined Jan. 11, 2027, at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. Music City first hosted the title tilt in 2025 after 15 consecutive visits to Frisco, Texas.

Every game will be broadcast live on the ESPN family of networks. 

How Do The FCS Playoffs Work?

The 24 FCS teams that advance to the playoffs are situated into a single-elimination bracket.

The top 16 teams are seeded, with the first eight earning byes into the second round. Seeds 9-16 must play in the opening round of action, but they get to play host, as do the higher seeds in each game through the semifinals.

The two semifinal winners then make the trip to Nashville to play for the national championship.

In 2025, Montana State defeated Illinois State 35-34 in overtime to claim the trophy. 

Since 2011, North Dakota State had been dominating the FCS landscape, winning 10 national titles, but the Bison have now moved to a bigger pasture – the FBS level as part of the Mountain West Conference.

Inside the Rise of JMU Football With Head Coach Curt Cignetti

Before they were in the College Football Playoff, they were built in the CAA. 

Go inside the rise of James Madison Football under head coach Curt Cignetti. 

Archived Footage On FloCollege

Video footage from all games will be archived and stored in a video library for FloCollege subscribers to watch for the duration of their subscriptions.

Watch The 2026 College Football Season On FloCollege

FloCollege is the home of the best FCS, Division II and Division III football action all season long. 

Don’t miss the latest college football action by bookmarking the FloCollege schedule page for the latest games. 

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