How a small Alabama university became a giant-slayer in college football
In short: Troy University has evolved from a program that once paused for the Great Depression into an FBS powerhouse. By consistently upsetting major conference opponents and securing multiple national championships across divisions, the Trojans have carved out a reputation as one of the most resilient and ambitious programs in college football history.
The Troy Trojans football program, based at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Alabama, has a history defined by both long-standing traditions and dramatic transitions. While the team has been fielded continuously since 1946, its early years were marked by significant interruptions, including an eight-year hiatus from 1913 to 1920 due to low participation and World War I, and a cancellation in 1929 following the Wall Street Crash. Despite these rocky beginnings, the program eventually found its footing, winning 23 conference championships throughout its history.
The modern era of Troy football is largely defined by the tenure of Larry Blakeney, who took over in 1990. Blakeney was instrumental in the program's ambitious climb through the ranks, becoming one of only two coaches to lead a team from NCAA Division II to Division I-A. His leadership saw the Trojans secure victories over major BCS conference schools like Mississippi State, Missouri, and Oklahoma State. Under his guidance, the team also achieved significant success in the Sun Belt Conference, which they joined in 2004.
Following Blakeney's retirement in 2014, the program continued to demonstrate its capacity for high-level performance under coaches like Neal Brown and Jon Sumrall. Brown led the team to three consecutive 10-win seasons and a historic upset of LSU in 2017, snapping the Tigers' 46-game non-conference home winning streak. Sumrall later achieved a 12-win season in 2022 and back-to-back Sun Belt championships in 2022 and 2023. Today, the program remains a formidable competitor, having transitioned through various conference affiliations and national championship levels, including NAIA and Division II titles, to establish itself as a consistent force in the Sun Belt.
The program's success is often attributed to its ability to adapt and recruit effectively, even as a non-AQ school. Coaches like Blakeney were recognized for their recruiting prowess, and the team has frequently produced record-breaking quarterbacks, such as Corey Robinson and Brandon Silvers. Despite occasional struggles with inexperience and injury, as seen during the transition to current head coach Gerad Parker, the Trojans' history of overcoming adversity remains a central pillar of their identity.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Troy Trojans football
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