In recent years, the Elon University football team has been a middle-of-the-pack performer in a very strong conference.

The squad has hovered just below the top tier in the Coastal Athletic Association, but the departure of some elite teams, and an influx of newcomers, might offer the perfect opportunity for the Phoenix to rise.

Elon is coming off back-to-back 6-6 seasons but is highly motivated and looking to build on the momentum of two huge wins to close out the 2025 campaign.

FloCollege subscribers will get to watch all the action unfold, as each of Elon’s CAA games during the 2026 season will be broadcast live on FloCollege and the FloSports app.

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Head coach Tony Trisciani is back to lead the Phoenix for his eighth season in North Carolina, and he’s approaching two decades of coaching programs in the CAA.

Nearly two-thirds of his 30-year coaching career has been spent in the conference, including two opportunities to be part of the defensive coaching staff at Elon before taking over the program in December 2018.

Since 2021, Elon is the only CAA team to post a conference record of .500 or better each season, and the Phoenix fell just short of securing at least a share of the CAA championship in 2022 and 2023.

Along with the normal addition of talented recruits, Trisciani also made a handful of coaching additions earlier this year, and all of that could have the Phoenix ready to seriously contend for their first CAA title. 

Elon was picked to finish third in the CAA this year via the conference’s preseason poll, landing behind two-time defending champion Rhode Island and a Monmouth team hoping for redemption after just missing the FCS Playoffs in 2025.

As we get ready for the new season, which begins for the Phoenix on Aug. 27, here are five things to know about Elon football and the CAA:

Elon Football Through The Years

The Elon football team has been in action since 1909, though the squad has been pretty quiet since joining the FCS nine decades later.

Elon was one of the seven charter members North State Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and played there until leaving in 1989. It now is known as Conference Carolinas. 

The team’s first major jump was to the NCAA Division II level from 1991 to 1998, and then up to NCAA Division I FCS competition in 1999.

Elon owns 19 conference championships overall, but the last one came in 1981 as a member of the South Atlantic Conference and as the springboard to a second consecutive National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics national title. 

Since joining the FCS, the Phoenix have made the playoffs just four times – 2009, 2017, 2018 and 2022 – losing in the first round each time.

The team’s time in the CAA began in 2014, with a portion of the early years being under the guidance of Curt Cignetti. 

If that name sounds familiar, it’s because he spent a lot of time in the spotlight last season when he led the Indiana Hoosiers to a perfect regular season (12-0) and a historic run through the College Football Playoff that ended with a win over the Miami Hurricanes in the championship game.

In two seasons at Elon (2017-2018), Cignetti went 8-4 and 6-5 before moving on and making way for Trisciani. In seven previous seasons, Trisciani is 38-37. He has won six or more games five consecutive times. To learn more about Cignetti and where he went after Elon, check out the video below.

Elon Adds 21 Players And Four Coaches Ahead Of 2026 Season

During the early signing period for high school recruits, which saw them sign their letters of intent during the first week of December, Elon landed 14 players. Another was added later in the week.

Among the newcomers will be a little bit of everything needed to build depth at each position – a quarterback, running back, wide receiver, three linemen on each side of the ball and four defensive backs. 

In the current college football landscape, the fluidity of the transfer portal has seen more and more players enjoy the chance to jump levels or move to teams where they can have a bigger impact.

Elon is not immune to that, from both sides, and Trisciani was able to attract another six players in time for spring practice. Those players came through the transfer portal, while eight of the December signees enrolled early, giving them a few extra months in the locker room.

On the coaching side of things, Trisciani brought in four new faces, with the announcements beginning early in the new calendar year.

The first addition was Jalen Hairston, who will serve as the program’s cornerbacks coach. He moves to Elon after a stint as a defensive coach at CAA rival Maine. 

Two weeks later, JB Lageman was introduced as Elon’s new defensive line coach. His move came after four years and multiple coaching roles at the Virginia Military Institute.

The next to join the Elon staff was Patrick Brown, who was brought in as the program’s secondary/SPURs coach and also made the move after time on the VMI coaching staff.

The door to the coaching office opened again in April, when Baer Hunter was introduced as the next tight ends coach. His career path saw him coach at multiple FBS schools after a successful playing career at Appalachian State (2016-2021).

How Did The Elon Perform Overall In 2025?

Elon started the 2025 campaign with a 4-2 record, but a midseason slump left the Phoenix needing to win their final two games just to finish at 6-6 overall and 4-4 in CAA play.

They did that, defeating Campbell and North Carolina A&T to close out the year.

The finale against the Aggies was a lopsided conference win in which the hosts led 34-10 at halftime and cruised to a 55-17 victory to remain at .500 for the year. 

The offensive onslaught was the highest point total for the Phoenix against a CAA opponent since they joined the league in 2014 and matched their season-high output, which game in a 55-7 win over Davidson in their second game of the year.

The win against NC A&T was a nice way to end the season and a confidence boost for two young players – redshirt freshman quarterback Landen Clark and sophomore defensive end Kahmari Brown, who were name the CAA Offensive Player of the Week and the CAA Co-Defensive Player of the Week, respectively. 

Unfortunately for Elon, success brings the spotlight, which often brings opportunities for standout players to move to bigger programs or even skip to the next level of NCAA play.

Clark, who was later names the CAA Co-Offensive Rookie of the Year, accounted for 336 yards of offense and six touchdowns (four passing, two rushing) in the final game of the season, and after starting all 12 games for the Phoenix, some new suitors came knocking.

He spent two years at Elon but now will play for FBS standout LSU in 2026. 

Brown also has moved on. The second-team All-American will play for the Iowa Hawkeyes this season. 

In all, 15 Elon players earned All-CAA recognition after the 2025 season, and there still will be some key returners on the field in 2026.

2025 CAA Award Winners From Elon

• Landen Clark, QB, RS-Freshman – Co-Offensive Rookie of the Year
• Isaiah Fuhrmann, WR, So. – First-Team Offense
• Kahmari Brown, DL, So. – First-Team Defense
• Jeff Yurk, P, Sr. – First-Team Defense
• *Dylan Magazu, FB/HB, So., Second-Team Offense
• *Tim Hogan, OL, Jr. – Second-Team Offense
• *Brodie Carroll, LB, So. – Second-Team Defense
• Ishmel Atkins, CB, Jr. – Second-Team Defense
• DJ James-Hamilton, S, Jr. – Second-Team Defense
• *Luke Barnes, PK, So. – Third-Team Offense
• Asher Cunningham, LB, So. – Third-Team Defense
• *Tony Hart, S, So. – Third-Team Defense
• *Jimmyll Williams, RB, Jr. – Honorable Mention
• Jake Louro, DL, RS-Sr. – Honorable Mention
• *Jevean Brown, SPEC, Gr. – Honorable Mention

*On 2026 roster

2025 Elon Football Results

• Aug. 28 (Thu): Duke 45, Elon 17 (L)
• Sept. 6 (Sat): Elon 55, Davidson 7 (W)
• Sept. 13 (Sat): Elon 37, Western Carolina 31 (W)
• Sept. 20 (Sat): ETSU 26, Elon 16 (L)
• Sept. 27 (Sat): Elon 41, Hampton 20 (W)
• Oct. 4 (Sat): Elon 17, Towson 3 (W)
• Oct. 11 (Sat): Villanova 29, Elon 21 (L)
• Oct. 18 (Sat): William & Mary 26, Elon 21 (L)
• Oct. 25 (Sat): Maine 35, Elon 14 (L)
• Nov. 8 (Sat): Rhode Island 34, Elon 20 (L)
• Nov. 15 (Sat): Elon 31, Campbell 24 (W)
• Nov. 22 (Sat): Elon 55, North Carolina A&T 17 (W)

A Look At The CAA And Elon Football In 2026

It seems like a breakthrough for Elon is imminent, and with the departure of some top teams recently, Elon’s stock in the CAA has been trending upward.

Even after a couple of down seasons within the conference, there has been enough team shuffling and additions to the Elon roster – players and coaches – to see the Phoenix picked to finish third this year behind two-time defending champion Rhode Island and a very motivated Monmouth squad that got snubbed for the playoffs last year.

All but one of the first-place votes (coaches can’t vote for their own teams) went to Rhode Island, but there’s no reason to think Elon can’t play up to the level seen from URI and the other top contenders in 2025.

Who are the standouts who will help made that happen?

Eight Elon players earned CAA preseason recognition, and that probably shouldn’t be a surprise, since most of them are coming off All-CAA seasons, too:

Preseason All-CAA Offense

• Jimmyll Williams, Sr., RB
• Dylan Magazu, Jr., FB/HB
• Tim Hogan, Gr., OL

Preseason All-CAA Defense

• Brodie Carroll, Jr., LB
• Tony Hart III, Jr., S

Preseason All-CAA Special Teams

• Luke Barnes, Jr., PK

Honorable Mention

• Landyn Backey, RS-Sr., WR
• Dillon Pardue, Gr., DL

Elon originally was looking at an 11-game schedule in 2026, but a late addition to the slate will see the Phoenix play six home games at Rhodes Stadium and six games on the road.

The added 12th game, now Elon’s season opener, will take place Thursday, Aug. 27 against Glenville State. It will be Elon’s only non-Saturday contest this season. 

The 11-contest 2026 schedule for the Phoenix includes five home games at Rhodes Stadium and a six-game road slate. 

Elon Football Schedule For 2026

All Times Eastern

• Aug. 27 (Thu): 7 p.m. vs. Glenville State
• Sept. 5 (Sat): 6 p.m. at Davidson
• Sept. 12 (Sat): Noon at Rhode Island*
• Sept. 19 (Sat): 6 p.m. vs. Sacred Heart*
• Sept. 26 (Sat): 2 p.m. vs. Maine*
• Oct. 3 (Sat): 1 p.m. at New Hampshire*
• Oct. 10 (Sat): 2 p.m. vs. Wofford
• Oct. 17 (Sat): 7:30 p.m. at Stanford
• Oct. 31 (Sat): 1 p.m. at North Carolina A&T*
• Nov. 7 (Sat): 2 p.m. vs. Hampton*
• Nov. 14 (Sat): 2 p.m. vs. Campbell*
• Nov. 21 (Sat): 1 p.m. at Towson*

*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)

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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