Team Information
Ground | Larry Blakeney Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium |
City | Troy, Alabama |
Conference | Sun Belt, West Division |
Nickname | Trojans |
About Troy Trojans Football
As a formidable force in NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) competitions, Troy University's football program has left an indelible mark since its inception in 2001. Joining the Sun Belt Conference in 2004, the Trojans have showcased their prowess on the gridiron, securing an impressive tally of 23 conference championships, including eight within the Sun Belt Conference. Home games are played at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Troy, Alabama.
Name of Team | Troy Trojans |
First season | 1909 |
Athletic director | Brent Jones |
Head coach | Gerad Parker |
Stadium | Veterans Memorial Stadium (capacity: 30,470) |
Location | Troy, Alabama |
Conference | Sun Belt Conference |
Division | West |
Field surface | ProGrass |
Conference titles | 23 |
Division titles | 3 |
Fight song | N/A |
Mascot | N/A |
Rivals | South Alabama (rivalry), Middle Tennessee (rivalry), UAB, Southern Miss |
Consensus All-Americans | N/A |
Troy Trojans Football Introduction
The history of Troy University's football program traces back to 1946, although its early years were marked by challenges and interruptions. Between 1909 and 1942, events like World War I and economic downturns, such as the Wall Street Crash of 1929, disrupted consistent play. Despite these hurdles, the program persisted, demonstrating resilience and determination.
Throughout its history, Troy football has experienced various conference affiliations. It began as an independent team from 1909 to 1937, then joined the Alabama Intercollege Conference, followed by the Alabama College Conference and later the Gulf South Conference. The team also had stints in the Southland Conference before settling in the Sun Belt Conference in 2004, where it remains today.
Troy Trojans Football History
The football legacy at Troy University traces back to 1909, although continuous play began in 1946. In the beginning, there were occasional breaks, especially from 1913 to 1920, because not many people were participating and also because of World War I.
Coach George Penton guided the Trojans to an undefeated season in 1911, boasting a 3–0 record. Albert Elmore, from 1931 to 1937, introduced changes, including adopting the name "Red Wave," culminating in five winning seasons out of seven.
Fred McCollum, leading from 1947 to 1950, achieved back-to-back six-win seasons. William Clipson, head coach from 1955 to 1965, struggled with a mostly losing record, punctuated by a lone winning season in 1964.
The Billy Atkins era (1966–1971) marked a resurgence, including an NAIA National Championship win in 1968. Tom Jones (1972–1973) and Byrd Whigham (1974–1975) followed with moderate success.
Charlie Bradshaw's tenure (1976–1982) witnessed highs, including a conference championship, but concluded with declining performance. Chan Gailey (1983–1984) secured a Division II championship in 1984 before departing for the NFL.
Rick Rhoades (1985–1987) and Robert Maddox (1988–1990) experienced mixed results, with Maddox resigning after a modest improvement in the 1990 season.
Troy Trojans Football Coach
Gerad Michael Parker, born on January 4, 1981, is an American college football coach and former player. He assumed the position of head football coach at Troy University on December 18, 2023. Prior to his role at Troy, Parker served as the offensive coordinator and tight ends coach at the University of Notre Dame, as well as the offensive coordinator at West Virginia University.
Parker's football career includes playing as a wide receiver at the University of Kentucky from 2000 to 2004, under head coaches Hal Mumme, Guy Morriss, and Rich Brooks. Notably, he also filled the role of interim head coach at Purdue University for six games in 2016. With his experience both on the field and in coaching positions, Parker brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Troy Trojans football program.
Here is a table listing all the head coaches and the duration they served as head coach:
Coach | Tenure |
Gerad Parker | 2023–present |
Jon Sumrall | 2022–2023 |
Chip Lindsey | 2019–2021 |
Neal Brown | 2015–2018 |
Larry Blakeney | 1990–2014 |
Robert Maddox | 1988–1990 |
Rick Rhoades | 1985–1987 |
Chan Gailey | 1983–1984 |
Charlie Bradshaw | 1976–1982 |
Byrd Whigham | 1974–1975 |
Tom Jones | 1972–1973 |
Billy Atkins | 1966–1971 |
William Clipson | 1955–1965 |
Jim Grantham | 1951–1954 |
Fred McCollum | 1947–1950 |
Albert Choate | 1938–1942 |
Albert Elmore | 1931–1937 |
Gladwin Gaumer | 1927–1928 |
Otis Bynum | 1925–1926 |
Ross V. Ford | 1924 |
J. W. Campbell | 1921–1923 |
George Penton | 1911–1912 |
Dan Herren | 1910 |
Virgil McKinley | 1909 |
Troy Trojans Football Stadium: Veterans Memorial Stadium
Veterans Memorial Stadium at Larry Blakeney Field, located in Troy, Alabama, is a symbol of American football's history and tradition. Originally constructed in 1950, the stadium has continually evolved to meet the needs of its patrons. Over time, expansions and renovations have increased its seating capacity to 30,470, offering plenty of space for fans to cheer on the Troy University Trojans.
In 1998, a significant renovation added a spacious upper deck, financed in part by a generous contribution from Richard M. Scrushy, founder of HealthSouth—however, subsequent events led to the removal of Scrushy's name from the field. Further enhancements in 2003 reshaped the stadium into a flattened "U" shape, accompanied by the installation of a synthetic turf system.
Subsequent upgrades, including the addition of LED video boards and ribbon boards in 2014, have enhanced the stadium's atmosphere. The recent construction of the $24-million North End zone Facility in 2017 further modernized the venue, ensuring an enjoyable experience for all attendees. Throughout its history, Veterans Memorial Stadium remains a cherished landmark, paying tribute to both the sacrifices of World War II and the triumphs of Trojan football.
Troy Trojans Football Rivals
South Alabama
Troy maintains a fierce intra-conference rivalry with South Alabama, known as the Battle for the Belt. This annual clash began in 2012 and has persisted every year since. Both schools have competed in the Sun Belt's West Division since 2022. Currently, Troy leads the series 8–3.
UAB
Troy and UAB have a competitive history, having faced each other 12 times. Their encounters were consistent until UAB's football program halted in 2014, only to be later revived. Scheduled to reignite in 2028, this rivalry holds significance for both teams. As of now, Troy holds a series lead of 7–5.
Tennessee
The Battle for the Palladium represents the rivalry between Troy and Middle Tennessee. Originating in 1936, it wasn't until 2003 that the annual tradition commenced, with both teams competing for the Palladium Trophy. Though the rivalry lapsed after Middle Tennessee's shift to Conference USA in 2013, a temporary resurgence occurred in 2020 due to pandemic-related scheduling adjustments.
Troy Trojans Football Record and stats
1968: Won NAIA National Championship against Texas A&I (now Texas A&M-Kingsville)
1984: Won first Division II National Championship by defeating North Dakota State
1987: Won second Division II National Championship by defeating Portland State
They have won a total of 23 conference championships, 17 outright wins and 6 shared titles
Since the start of divisional play in the Sun Belt Conference in 2018, Troy has won 2 East Division championships
Conference championships
Season | Conference | Coach | Overall Record | Conference Record |
1939 | Alabama Intercollegiate Conference | Albert Choate | 7–4 | 4–0 |
1941 | Alabama Intercollegiate Conference | Albert Choate | 5–4 | 3–0 |
1942 | Alabama Intercollegiate Conference | Albert Choate | 4–3 | 2–0 |
1967 | Alabama Collegiate Conference | Billy Atkins | 8–2 | 3–0 |
1968 | Alabama Collegiate Conference | Billy Atkins | 11–1 | 3–0 |
1969 | Alabama Collegiate Conference | Billy Atkins | 8–1–1 | 3–0 |
1971† | Gulf South Conference | Billy Atkins | 6–3 | 5–1 |
1973 | Gulf South Conference | Tom Jones | 7–2–1 | 6–2 |
1976 | Gulf South Conference | Charlie Bradshaw | 8–1–1 | 7–1 |
1984 | Gulf South Conference | Chan Gailey | 12–1 | 7–1 |
1986 | Gulf South Conference | Rick Rhoades | 10–2 | 8–0 |
1987 | Gulf South Conference | Rick Rhoades | 12–1–1 | 8–0 |
1996 | Southland Conference | Larry Blakeney | 12–2 | 5–1 |
1999† | Southland Conference | Larry Blakeney | 11–2 | 6–1 |
2000 | Southland Conference | Larry Blakeney | 10–2 | 7–0 |
2006† | Sun Belt Conference | Larry Blakeney | 8–5 | 6–1 |
2007† | Sun Belt Conference | Larry Blakeney | 8–4 | 6–1 |
2008 | Sun Belt Conference | Larry Blakeney | 8–5 | 6–1 |
2009 | Sun Belt Conference | Larry Blakeney | 9–4 | 8–0 |
2010† | Sun Belt Conference | Larry Blakeney | 8–5 | 6–2 |
2017† | Sun Belt Conference | Neal Brown | 11–2 | 7–1 |
2022 | Sun Belt Conference | Jon Sumrall | 12–2 | 7–1 |
2023 | Sun Belt Conference | Jon Sumrall | 11–2 | 7–1 |
Division championships
Year | Division | Coach | Overall Record | Conference Record | Opponent | CG Result |
2018† | Sun Belt East | Neal Brown | 10–3 | 7–1 | N/A lost tiebreaker to Appalachian State | |
2022 | Sun Belt West | Jon Sumrall | 12–2 | 7–1 | Coastal Carolina | W 45–26 |
2023 | Sun Belt West | Jon Sumrall | 11–2 | 7–1 | Appalachian State | W 49–23 |
Troy Trojans Football Roster
On the offensive side, players include:
PLAYER | POS |
Goose Crowder | QB |
Jameson Holcomb | QB |
Tucker Kilcrease | QB |
JD Sherrod | QB |
Gunnar Watson | QB |
DeWhitt Betterson Jr. | RB |
Jordon Ingram | RB |
Jordan Lovett | RB |
Asa Martin | RB |
Tae Meadows | RB |
Christian Nunnery | RB |
Damien Taylor | RB |
Cameron Torres | RB |
Kimani Vidal | RB |
Jarris Williams | RB |
Tyce Khatri | FB |
Jabre Barber | WR |
TJ Booker | WR |
Robert Bruce | WR |
Caleb Chappelle | WR |
Rondell Cole | WR |
DJ Epps | WR |
Luke Harkless | WR |
Peyton Higgins | WR |
MJ Johnson | WR |
Chris Lewis | WR |
Robert Marsh | WR |
Landon Parker | WR |
Marcus Rogers | WR |
Devonte Ross | WR |
Deshon Stoudemire | WR |
Jackson Thomas | WR |
Alex Cash | TE |
Ethan Conner | TE |
Brody Dalton | TE |
Deyunkrea Lewis | TE |
Clayton Ollendieck | TE |
Jackson Worley | TE |
Blake Austin | OL |
Tyler Bell | OL |
Grant Betts | OL |
Carson Burt | OL |
Tyler Cappi | OL |
Jeremiah Frazier | OL |
Kyler Gibson | OL |
Billy Gilmore | OL |
Derrick Graham | OL |
Obatara Jackson | OL |
Derrick Keith | OL |
Daniel King | OL |
Tavon Matthews | OL |
Noah Mercer | OL |
Elijah Philippe | OL |
Elijah Prather | OL |
Eli Russ | OL |
Colby Smith | OL |
Boaz Stanley | OL |
Kobe Williams | OL |
On the defensive, notable players include:
PLAYER | POS |
Deshaun Batiste | DE |
Raymond Cutts | DE |
Zach Edwards | DE |
T.J. Jackson | DE |
Luis Medina | DE |
Ty'Quarius Perry | DE |
Fabian Rogosch | DE |
Javon Solomon | DE |
Noah Wright | DE |
Jamarcus Chatman | DT |
Buddha Jones | DT |
Jaden Palms | DT |
Julian Peterson | DT |
AJ Pierce | DT |
Kenny Reedy | DT |
Jackson Stein | DT |
Anthony Butler | LB |
Keyshawn Campbell | LB |
Steven Cattledge | LB |
Luke Hodge | LB |
Richard Jibunor | LB |
Phillip Lee | LB |
Blake Matthews | LB |
Jayden McDonald | LB |
Malaki Pegues | LB |
Caleb Ransaw | LB |
Chris Rodgers | LB |
Eric Shaw | LB |
Riley Slaughter | LB |
Darrell Starling | LB |
Jordan Stringer | LB |
Terry Thomas | LB |
TJ Thompson | LB |
AZ Williams | LB |
Don Callis | CB |
O'shai Fletcher | CB |
Nic Floyd | CB |
LJ Green | CB |
Tye Pouncey | CB |
Tim Roberson | CB |
Reddy Steward | CB |
AJ Swanson | CB |
Tavares Williams Jr. | CB |
Damaje Yancey | CB |
Tyre Young | CB |
Reggie Bracy | S |
KC Bradford | S |
John Butler | S |
Carloss Crawford | S |
Irshaad Davis | S |
Dasheen Jackson | S |
Dorion Jackson | S |
LaBarryon Moore | S |
Dell Pettus | S |
Justin Powe | S |
Keyshawn Swanson | S |
Jack Tchienchou | S |
Troy Trojans Football Schedule
Troy Trojans 2024 Regular season matchups are as follows:
DATE | OPPONENT |
Sat, Aug 31 | Nevada |
Sat, Sep 7 | Memphis |
Sat, Sep 14 | Iowa |
Sat, Sep 21 | Florida A&M |
Sat, Sep 28 | UL Monroe |
Thu, Oct 3 | Texas State |
Tue, Oct 15 | South Alabama |
Sat, Oct 26 | Arkansas State |
Sat, Nov 2 | Coastal Carolina |
Sat, Nov 16 | Georgia Southern |
Sat, Nov 23 | Louisiana |
Sat, Nov 30 | Southern Miss |
FAQ's On Troy Trojans Football
A. The Troy Trojans football program was established in 2001, competing at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) level.
A. Troy University's football program has secured an impressive total of 23 conference championships, including eight within the Sun Belt Conference.
A. Gerad Parker currently serves as the head coach of the Troy Trojans football team, leading the team with pride and determination.
A. The Troy Trojans play their home games at Veterans Memorial Stadium, located in Troy, Alabama, with a seating capacity of 30,470.
A. The Troy Trojans football team competes in the West Division of the Sun Belt Conference at the NCAA Division I FBS level.