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East Tennessee State Buccaneers football

For information on all East Tennessee State University sports, see East Tennessee State Buccaneers.

The East Tennessee State Buccaneers football program is the intercollegiate American football team for East Tennessee State University (ETSU) located in Johnson City, Tennessee. The team was dormant from the end of the 2003 season until being reinstated for the 2015 season. They played all of their 2015 home games and all but one of their 2016 home games at Kermit Tipton Stadium before the opening of the new William B. Greene Jr. Stadium for the 2017 season.[2] The remaining 2016 home game, against Western Carolina on September 17, was played at nearby Bristol Motor Speedway, which was already set up for football due to a game the prior week between the University of Tennessee and Virginia Tech.[3] Before ETSU dropped football, it competed in NCAA Division I as a Southern Conference (SoCon) football program. The revived program played as an independent in 2015 before returning to the SoCon in 2016.[4]

East Tennessee State Buccaneers football
2024 East Tennessee State Buccaneers football team
First season1920; 104 years ago
Athletic directorRichard Sander
Head coachWill Healy
1st season, 0–0 (–)
StadiumWilliam B. Greene Jr. Stadium
(capacity: 7,694)
Field surfaceArtificial
LocationJohnson City, Tennessee
NCAA divisionDivision I FCS
ConferenceSouthern Conference
All-time record394–454–27 (.466)
Bowl record4–2 (.667)
Conference titles5 (1 SMAC, 2 OVC, 2 SoCon)
RivalriesChattanooga Mocs, Western Carolina Catamounts
ColorsNavy blue and gold[1]
   
MascotBucky
Websiteetsubucs.com/football

History

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East Tennessee State Normal School fielded its first football team in 1920. Navy blue and old gold, chosen in 1911, were the school colors. The team only played five games that year including two against local high school teams. W.R. Windes was the head coach for the first two seasons. In 1925, the school's name was changed to East Tennessee State Teachers College. The athletic teams were named "The Teachers". John Robinson was the head coach for the next 5 years.

In 1930, the school's name changed again to State Teachers College, Johnson City. In 1932, Gene McMurray was named the head coach. He coached for 10 straight seasons until the school stopped playing due to World War II. He came back to coach the team in 1946. His winning percentage during his 11 seasons was the highest in the history of Buc football. During his tenure, the team won the Smoky Mountain Conference championship in 1938[5] and the team's name changed to the "Buccaneers" (1935).

In 1943, the school's name changed to East Tennessee State College. In 1952, Star Wood became head coach. He led the team for 13 seasons; 1952 to 1953 and then 1955 to 1965. Coach Wood tops the list of total wins with 64. From 1952 to 1956, the team made five consecutive appearances in the Burley Bowl, compiling a 3–2 record. East Tennessee State College joined the Ohio Valley Conference in 1957.

In 1963, the college gained university status to become East Tennessee State University. Coach John Robert Bell led the team to a 10–0–1 record in 1969. They won the Ohio Valley Conference Championship and defeated Louisiana Tech, led by quarterback Terry Bradshaw, in the Grantland Rice Bowl. The Memorial Center opened in 1977 and was nicknamed the "Mini-Dome". The football team played their homes games indoors until the program was discontinued. In 1978, ETSU joined the Southern Conference.

The 1996 ETSU football team led by Coach Mike Cavan had a record of 10–3 and participated for the first time in the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs, defeating Villanova in a first-round game.

In 2003, ETSU decided to discontinue the football team due to financial reasons. The last game was played at home on November 22, 2003, against The Citadel. ETSU won the game 16–13 with a last second field goal. The school further left the Southern Conference.[6]

On January 29, 2013, the Student Government Association voted 22–5 to a $125 per semester fee increase that would fund the re-instatement of the football program. University President Dr. Brian Noland, who was in attendance for the vote, said that fee would be sufficient to support football and Title IX requirements that support additional women's athletics. Noland crafted a football proposal to submit to the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR). The Regents passed it in March 2013.[7]

On March 29, 2013, the TBR approved a $125 fee increase to reinstate football at ETSU. It had also become widely known across the campus that the Mini-Dome would not host home games. ETSU is building a brand new football stadium to play host to all of its home games. On May 30, 2013, ETSU accepted an invitation to rejoin the Southern Conference in 2014 and reinstated football, with operations beginning shortly thereafter and the first class signed in 2014 in preparation for the first game in the 2015 season.[8]

The Carl Torbush era

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Veteran coach Carl Torbush was chosen to helm the rebuilding of the program, and signed the first class in 2014 in preparation for the 2015 season debut.[9] For the first two years, they played home games at Kermit Tipton Stadium/Steve Spurrier Field located on the campus of Science Hill High School in Johnson City.[2] It was announced on February 6, 2015, that ETSU would play Tennessee at Neyland Stadium on September 8, 2018, the first meeting between the two schools. ETSU will receive a $500,000 payment for the game.[10] The Carl Torbush era began on September 3, 2015, as the Bucs took on the Kennesaw State Owls. On July 15, 2015, it was announced that the first game against Kennesaw State and the homecoming game against Emory & Henry had sold out, and that standing-only tickets were then available.[11] Torbush and the fledgling Bucs finished the 2015 season with a 2–9 record, with the wins over Warner and Kentucky Wesleyan. Torbush then lead a much improved Bucs team to a 5–6 (2–6 SoCon) in 2016 including a revenge win against Kennesaw State, a win over Western Carolina at Bristol Motor Speedway (the most attended game in the program's history), and an upset against then 18th-ranked Samford. In 2017, the Bucs returned on campus to William B. Greene Jr. Stadium, where they were mostly successful. However, the Bucs finished with a disappointing 4–7 record. After the season, Torbush decided to retire on December 8, 2017, citing his age as key factor in not signing a contract [12] In three years as the Buccaneers head coach, Torbush finished with an 11–22 (4–12 SoCon) record.

The Randy Sanders era

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On December 17, 2017, following the retirement of Carl Torbush earlier in the month, the East Tennessee State Buccaneers named, former Florida State Seminoles football offensive coordinator, Randy Sanders as their eighteenth head coach.[13] On September 1, 2018, Sanders won his first game as a head coach defeating Mars Hill 28–7. On September 4, 2021, Sanders led the Buccaneers to their first FBS win since 1987, defeating Vanderbilt 23–3. The season ended with a loss to North Dakota State in the Quarterfinals.

Conference history

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Classifications

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  • 1952–1956: NAIA
  • 1957–1972: NCAA College Division
  • 1973–1977: NCAA Division II
  • 1978–2003: NCAA Division I–AA (now FCS)
  • 2004–2014: No team
  • 2015–present: NCAA Division I FCS

Conference memberships

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Note: ETSU was a full member of the Southern Conference in the 2015–16 school year, but played the 2015 football season as an FCS independent.

Conference championships

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The Buccaneers have won five conference championships, with one coming in the Smoky Mountain Conference, two in the Ohio Valley Conference and two in the Southern Conference.

Season Conference Coach Overall record Conference record
1938 Smoky Mountain Conference Gene McMurray 6–2 5–1
1962† Ohio Valley Conference Star Wood 8–2 4–2
1969 John Robert Bell 10–0–1 6–0–1
2018† Southern Conference Randy Sanders 8–4 6–2
2021 11–1 7–1

† Co-champions

Division I-AA/FCS Playoffs results

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The Buccaneers have appeared in the I-AA/FCS playoffs three times with an overall record of 2–3.

Year Round Opponent Result
1996 First Round
Quarterfinals		 Villanova
Montana		 W 35–29
L 14–44
2018 First Round Jacksonville State L 27–34
2021 Second Round
Quarterfinals		 Kennesaw State
North Dakota State		 W 32–31
L 3–27

Notable former players

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Main article: List of East Tennessee State Buccaneers in the NFL draft

Notable alumni include:

Yearly results

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Year Coach Win Loss Tie Pct. PF PA Delta
1920 William R. Windes 3 2 0 .600 18 85 -67
1921 William R. Windes 4 3 0 .571 95 137 -42
1922 James Karl Luck 6 3 0 .667 142 152 -10
1923 James Karl Luck 3 6 0 .333 105 343 -238
1924 James Karl Luck 3 4 1 .437 79 158 -79
1925 John Robinson 3 4 0 .428 57 109 -52
1926 John Robinson 3 4 1 .437 65 163 -98
1927 John Robinson 1 7 0 .125 26 162 -136
1928 John Robinson 4 3 0 .571 65 113 -48
1929 John Robinson 2 5 1 .312 31 116 -85
1930 Jack S. Batey 0 7 0 .000 13 161 -148
1931 Jack S. Batey 1 4 2 .285 42 106 -64
1932 Gene McMurray 3 3 1 .500 74 56 18
1933 Gene McMurray 6 1 2 .778 131 45 86
1934 Gene McMurray 4 3 1 .562 56 47 9
1935 Gene McMurray 5 3 0 .625 80 68 12
1936 Gene McMurray 5 3 0 .625 82 32 50
1937 Gene McMurray 5 5 0 .500 77 107 -30
1938 Gene McMurray 6 2 0 .750 112 75 37
1939 Gene McMurray 5 3 0 .625 61 83 -22
1940 Gene McMurray 4 4 0 .500 65 61 4
1941 Gene McMurray 2 5 0 .285 21 85 -64
1946 Gene McMurray 7 1 0 .875 125 56 69
1947 Loyd Roberts 5 4 0 .555 148 130 18
1948 Loyd Roberts 6 2 1 .722 98 73 25
1949 Loyd Roberts 5 4 0 .555 125 135 -10
1950 Loyd Roberts 3 5 1 .389 126 125 1
1951 Loyd Roberts 4 5 0 .444 115 148 -33
1952 Star Wood 5 2 2 .667 188 125 63
1953 Star Wood 5 4 0 .555 220 164 56
1954 Hal Littleford 5 4 1 .550 165 160 5
1955 Star Wood 6 3 1 .650 145 111 34
1956 Star Wood 4 5 0 .444 108 133 -25
1957 Star Wood 5 6 0 .454 160 151 9
1958 Star Wood 5 4 0 .555 133 120 13
1959 Star Wood 6 3 0 .667 135 119 16
1960 Star Wood 3 4 2 .444 126 120 6
1961 Star Wood 3 7 0 .300 136 214 -78
1962 Star Wood 7 3 0 .700 182 102 80
1963 Star Wood 7 2 0 .777 167 121 46
1964 Star Wood 5 5 0 .500 135 139 -4
1965 Star Wood 2 6 1 .277 129 208 -79
1966 John Robert Bell 3 6 0 .333 112 119 -7
1967 John Robert Bell 3 6 1 .350 133 145 -12
1968 John Robert Bell 5 5 0 .500 151 170 -19
1969 John Robert Bell 10 0 1 .954 219 114 105
1970 John Robert Bell 7 1 2 .800 161 81 80
1971 John Robert Bell 0 9 1 .050 108 242 -134
1972 John Robert Bell 3 7 0 .300 203 221 -18
1973 Roy Frazier 4 7 0 .363 244 263 -19
1974 Roy Frazier 4 6 1 .409 125 152 -27
1975 Roy Frazier 2 8 1 .227 157 239 -82
1976 Roy Frazier 3 7 0 .300 112 204 -92
1977 Roy Frazier 3 8 0 .272 233 356 -123
1978 Jack Carlisle 4 7 0 .363 230 272 -42
1979 Jack Carlisle 7 4 0 .636 278 150 128
1980 Jack Carlisle 2 9 0 .181 144 250 -106
1981 Jack Carlisle 6 5 0 .545 191 242 -51
1982 Jack Carlisle 2 9 0 .181 123 217 -94
1983 Buddy Sasser 3 8 0 .272 173 178 -5
1984 Buddy Sasser 6 5 0 .545 144 167 -23
1985 Mike Ayers 0 10 1 .045 150 271 -121
1986 Mike Ayers 6 5 0 .545 264 266 -2
1987 Mike Ayers 5 6 0 .454 232 244 -12
1988 Don Riley 3 8 0 .272 180 363 -183
1989 Don Riley 4 7 0 .363 218 325 -107
1990 Don Riley 2 9 0 .181 240 330 -90
1991 Don Riley 1 10 0 .090 183 396 -213
1992 Mike Cavan 5 6 0 .454 219 313 -94
1993 Mike Cavan 5 6 0 .454 213 222 -9
1994 Mike Cavan 6 5 0 .545 306 266 40
1995 Mike Cavan 4 7 0 .363 224 305 -81
1996 Mike Cavan 10 3 0 .769 378 286 92
1997 Paul Hamilton 7 4 0 .636 340 242 98
1998 Paul Hamilton 4 7 0 .363 269 340 -71
1999 Paul Hamilton 6 5 0 .545 272 251 21
2000 Paul Hamilton 6 5 0 .545 282 267 15
2001 Paul Hamilton 6 5 0 .545 193 226 -33
2002 Paul Hamilton 4 8 0 .333 167 286 -119
2003 Paul Hamilton 5 7 0 .416 270 233 37
2015 Carl Torbush 2 9 0 .182 180 416 -236
2016 Carl Torbush 5 6 0 .454 174 308 -134
2017 Carl Torbush 4 7 0 .363 211 313 -102
2018 Randy Sanders 8 4 0 .667 312 304 8
2019 Randy Sanders 3 9 0 .250 - - -
2020 Randy Sanders 4 2 0 .666 126 113 13
2021 Randy Sanders 11 2 0 .846 425 295 130
2022 George Quarles 3 8 0 .272 323 336 -13
2023 George Quarles 3 8 0 .272 200 350 -150
Total 371 446 27 .454 13981 16459 -2478

[14]

Future non-conference opponents

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Future non-conference opponents announced as of July 9, 2024.[15]

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028
at Appalachian State Murray State at North Dakota State Virginia–Wise at Murray State
Virginia–Wise at Tennessee at North Carolina
North Dakota State at West Georgia West Georgia
at Elon Elon

References

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  1. ^ East Tennessee State University Brand Guidelines. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  2. ^ a b "ETSU looks to Science Hill for home field advantage over next 2 seasons".
  3. ^ "ETSU, WCU to Play at Bristol Motor Speedway" (Press release). Southern Conference. January 29, 2016. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  4. ^ "College Football Data Warehouse". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on April 19, 2012. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
  5. ^ "ETST TAKE FIRST SMOKY MOUNTAIN TITLE". Kingsport Times. Kingsport, Tennessee. AP. November 20, 1938. Retrieved March 26, 2017 – via newspapers.com.
  6. ^ History bucfootball.com
  7. ^ "Johnson City Press: News".
  8. ^ "ETSU among three invited to join Southern Conference in 2014". Hilton Head, SC. June 1, 2013.
  9. ^ Carl Torbush coach ETSU knoxnews.com June 19, 2013[dead link‍]
  10. ^ "ETSU football to face Tennessee during 2018 season". Johnson City, TN. February 6, 2015.
  11. ^ "ETSU football opener, Homecoming sellout in minutes". Johnson City, TN. July 15, 2015.
  12. ^ "Torbush announces retirement as ETSU football coach". Johnson City, TN. December 8, 2017.
  13. ^ Randy Sanders named the East Tennessee State Buccaneers 18th head football coach wjhl.com
  14. ^ "East Tennessee State Yearly Totals". Archived from the original on December 19, 2012. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
  15. ^ "East Tennessee State Buccaneers Football Future Schedules". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved January 16, 2023.
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