Western Carolina Catamounts football

The Western Carolina Catamounts football program represents Western Carolina University. The team competes in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) and are members of the Southern Conference. The team is coached by Mark Speir. Since the school's first football team was fielded in 1931, the Catamounts have a record of 341-502-23, have made two postseason appearances, and have played in one national championship game.

Western Carolina Catamounts football
2020 Western Carolina Catamounts football team
First season1931
Athletic directorAlex Gary
Head coachMark Speir
9th season, 32–60 (.348)
StadiumE. J. Whitmire Stadium
(Capacity: 13,742)
FieldBob Waters Field
LocationCullowhee, North Carolina
NCAA divisionDivision I FCS
ConferenceSouthern Conference
All-time record34150223 (.407)
Bowl record010 (.000)
Playoff appearances2
Playoff record3–2
RivalriesAppalachian State East Tennessee State
ColorsPurple and Gold[1]
         
Fight songFight On You Catamounts
MascotPaws
Marching bandWestern Carolina University Pride of the Mountains Marching Band
WebsiteCatamountSports.com

Western Carolina plays its home games at the 13,742 seat Bob Waters Field at E. J. Whitmire Stadium located on the campus in Cullowhee, North Carolina.

History

Head coaching history

Western Carolina has had 13 head coaches since the first team organized in 1931. Head coach Mark Speir was hired in December 2011. Bob Waters (1969–1988) holds the record for most wins (116), longest tenure (20 seasons), and highest winning percentage (.550) among all former Western Carolina coaches.

C.C. Poindexter, often called the "Father of Western Carolina Athletics", was instrumental in organizing the first football team in 1931. Then the Western Carolina Teacher's College, Poindexter was the first person hired by the college to work exclusively in athletics and became the first athletic director and football coach. He would later lead the baseball and basketball programs as well.

Tenure Coach Record Pct.
1931–1934C. C. Poindexter10–26–2.290
1935–1938Ralph James4–30–3.149
1939–1941Jim Whatley6–15–1.295
1945Marion McDonald1–3.250
1946–1955Tom Young39–55–4.418
1956–1968Dan Robinson51–67–6.435
1969–1988Bob Waters116–94–6.550
1989Dale Strahm3–7–1.318
1990–1996Steve Hodgin31–45.408
1997–2001Bill Bleil23–32.418
2002–2007Kent Briggs22–43.388
2008–2011Dennis Wagner8–36.182
2012–presentMark Speir32–60.348

Postseason

Classifications

  • 1973–1976: NCAA Division III
  • 1977: NCAA Division I
  • 1978–1981: NCAA Division I–A
  • 1982–present: NCAA Division I–AA

Conference memberships

Also members of the Smoky Mountain Conference starting in 1934.[2][3]

Rivalries

Appalachian State - Battle for the Old Mountain Jug

The main rivalry of the Catamounts was against their in-state rival Appalachian State. Western Carolina and Appalachian State played annually for the Old Mountain Jug. The two rivals first faced off in 1932, with Appalachian State winning 20-0. The Old Mountain Jug trophy was first introduced in 1976. After Appalachian State moved to the Football Bowl Subdivision in 2014, the two have not met since. Appalachian State leads the series 58-19-1.

Catamounts in the NFL

Player Position Years in NFL
Steve WilliamsDE1974
Eddie McGillTE1982–1983
Dean BiasucciK1984–1995
Tiger GreeneDB1985–1990
Louis CooperLB1985–1993
Clyde SimmonsDE1986–2000
Leonard WilliamsRB1987
Fred DavisDB1987
Tony JonesOL1988–2000
Willie J. WilliamsDB1993–2005
Andrew JordanTE1994–2001
David PattenWR1997–2008
Brad HooverFB2000–2009
Detrez NewsomeRB2018–2018
Keion CrossenDB2018–2020

See also

References

  1. Western Carolina University Athletic Guidelines (PDF). October 1, 2014. Retrieved April 9, 2016.
  2. "Catamount Grid, Cage Schedules Are Announced". Asheville Citizen-Times. Asheville, North Carolina. June 26, 1934. Retrieved March 26, 2017 via newspapers.com.
  3. "SMOKY MOUNTAIN". The Palm Beach Post. AP. November 30, 1936. Retrieved March 26, 2017 via newspapers.com.
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