What Happened to Sam Houston Bearkats Football?
Sam Houston Bearkats Football has undergone a significant transformation, transitioning from a dominant FCS program, culminating in a 2020 National Championship, to an NCAA Division I FBS team in Conference USA. After an initial adjustment period, the Bearkats achieved bowl eligibility and won their first FBS bowl game in 2024, now continuing their journey under head coach Phil Longo.
Quick Answer
Sam Houston Bearkats Football transitioned from the FCS to the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), joining Conference USA on July 1, 2023. After a 3-9 inaugural FBS season in 2023, they made history in 2024 by achieving a 10-3 record, becoming bowl eligible, and winning the New Orleans Bowl. The team is currently led by head coach Phil Longo, who took over in December 2024, and as of October 8, 2026, holds a 1-3 record in the 2026 season, playing in a newly renovated Bowers Stadium.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
First Football Team
Sam Houston State University fields its first intercollegiate football team.
NAIA National Co-Championship
Sam Houston wins its first national championship, sharing the NAIA title after a tie in the championship game.
Transition to NCAA Division I-AA (FCS)
The Bearkats move up from NCAA Division II to Division I-AA, now known as the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).
K.C. Keeler Hired as Head Coach
K.C. Keeler, a highly successful FCS coach, is named the 15th head coach, beginning a transformative era for the program.
FCS National Championship Victory
Sam Houston defeats South Dakota State 23-21 to win its first NCAA Division I FCS National Championship, capping off the delayed 2020 season.
Joins Western Athletic Conference (WAC)
The Bearkats leave the Southland Conference to join the Western Athletic Conference, which relaunched its football league at the FCS level.
Accepts Conference USA Invitation
Sam Houston announces it will join Conference USA (CUSA) at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) level, effective July 1, 2023.
Official FBS Transition and CUSA Membership
Sam Houston officially becomes an FBS team and a member of Conference USA, though they are ineligible for postseason play due to transition rules.
Inaugural FBS Season (3-9 Record)
The Bearkats complete their first FBS season with a 3-9 overall record and a 2-6 conference record in CUSA.
Achieves Bowl Eligibility
Sam Houston defeats FIU 10-7, becoming bowl eligible in just their second year since joining the FBS.
Wins New Orleans Bowl
The Bearkats defeat Georgia Southern 31-26 in the New Orleans Bowl, securing their first FBS bowl victory and finishing the season 10-3.
Phil Longo Named Head Coach
Phil Longo, a former Sam Houston offensive coordinator, is appointed the 16th head coach of the Bearkats, replacing K.C. Keeler.
Challenging Season Amidst Stadium Renovations (2-10 Record)
The Bearkats finish the 2025 season with a 2-10 record (1-7 CUSA), playing all home games at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston due to renovations at Bowers Stadium.
Bowers Stadium Renovations Completed
Multi-million dollar renovations to Bowers Stadium are completed, providing an upgraded home venue for the Bearkats.
Current 2026 Season Status
As of today, the Sam Houston Bearkats football team holds a 1-3 overall record in the 2026 NCAA Division I FBS season under head coach Phil Longo.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The Sam Houston Bearkats football program, with a history dating back to 1912, established itself as a formidable force in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) for decades. A pivotal moment came in the spring of 2021 (for the delayed 2020 season) when the Bearkats, under head coach K.C. Keeler, captured their first FCS National Championship, defeating South Dakota State 23-21 in a thrilling finish.
This success coincided with a period of significant conference realignment in college athletics. In July 2021, Sam Houston moved from the Southland Conference to the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). However, their stay in the WAC was brief, as the university accepted an invitation to join Conference USA (CUSA) at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) level on November 5, 2021, with the transition officially beginning on July 1, 2023.
The move to FBS presented new challenges. In their inaugural FBS season in 2023, the Bearkats finished with a 3-9 record (2-6 in CUSA) and were ineligible for a bowl game due to transition rules. The 2024 season marked a significant turning point, as Sam Houston, in just its second year in FBS, achieved bowl eligibility with a 10-3 record (6-2 CUSA) and secured their first-ever FBS bowl victory, winning the New Orleans Bowl 31-26 against Georgia Southern. Following this historic season, head coach K.C. Keeler departed, and Phil Longo was named the 16th head coach in program history in December 2024, returning to Huntsville where he previously served as offensive coordinator.
The 2025 season under Coach Longo was a challenging one, as the Bearkats finished with a 2-10 record (1-7 CUSA). This season was further complicated by extensive renovations to their home stadium, Bowers Stadium, which required the team to play all their home games at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston. As of October 8, 2026, Sam Houston Bearkats Football is in its second season under Phil Longo, competing in Conference USA. Bowers Stadium has completed its multi-million-dollar renovations, providing the team with a true home-field advantage once again. The team currently holds a 1-3 record in the 2026 season.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Sam Houston Bearkats Football made different choices?