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Central Michigan Chippewas football

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The Central Michigan Chippewas are a college football program in Division I FBS, representing Central Michigan University (CMU). CMU has the 24th highest overall winning percentage of programs playing in NCAA Division I.[2]

Central Michigan Chippewas football
2026 Central Michigan Chippewas football team
First season1896; 130 years ago
Athletic directorAmy Folan
Head coachMatt Drinkall
2nd season, 7–6 (.538)
LocationMount Pleasant, Michigan
StadiumKelly/Shorts Stadium
(capacity: 35,127)
NCAA divisionDivision I FBS
ConferenceMAC
ColorsMaroon and gold[1]
   
All-time record658–464–36 (.584)
Bowl record4–10 (.286)
National championships
ClaimedDiv. II: 1974
Conference championships
IIAC: 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1962, 1966, 1967, 1968
MAC: 1979, 1980, 1990, 1994, 2006, 2007, 2009
Division championships
MAC West: 2006, 2007, 2009, 2019, 2021
RivalriesWestern Michigan (rivalry)
Eastern Michigan (rivalry)
Uniforms
Fight songThe Fighting Chippewa
Marching bandThe Marching Chippewas
WebsiteCMUChippewas.com

The Chippewas have played in six bowl games in the last nine years, most recently defeating Washington State in the 2021 Sun Bowl. CMU drew 60,624 fans in the 2007 Motor City Bowl. CMU has played a total of eighteen post-season games (conference championships and bowl games), winning seven.

History

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Conference affiliations

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Central Michigan has been a member of the following conferences.[3]: 109–117 

Championships

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National championships

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The Chippewas won the 1974 NCAA Division II National Championship.

Year League Coach Record CG Opponent Result
1974NCAA Division IIRoy Kramer12–1DelawareW 54–14

Conference championships

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Central Michigan has won 16 conference championships, including seven Mid-American conference championships.[3]: 109–117 

Season Conference Head coach Overall record Conference record
1952Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic ConferenceBill Kelly7–26–0
19537–1–15–0–1
1954†8–25–1
19558–15–1
19569–06–0
19626–44–0
19665–53–0
1967†Roy Kramer8–22–1
1968†7–22–1
1979Mid-American ConferenceHerb Deromedi10–0–18–0–1
19809–27–2
19908–3–17–1
1994Dick Flynn9–38–1
2006Brian Kelly10–47–1
2007Butch Jones8–66–1
200912–28–0

† Co-champions

Division championships

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In the division era (1997–2023) of the MAC, Central Michigan has won 5 division championships:

Year Division Coach Opponent CG result
2006MAC WestBrian KellyOhioW 31–10
2007†MAC WestButch JonesMiamiW 35–10
2009MAC WestButch JonesOhioW 20–10
2019MAC WestJim McElwainMiamiL 21–26
2021†MAC WestJim McElwainN/A lost tiebreaker to Northern Illinois

† Co-champions

Head coaches

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Many notable coaches have contributed to CMU's culture. Some include "Wild" Bill Kelly who won seven conference championships in sixteen years and whom Kelly/Shorts Stadium is named after; national championship winning coach Roy Kramer who had a 72% winning percentage and never had a losing season in more than a decade; College Football Hall of Fame coach Herb Deromedi who is the winningest coach in MAC history[4] and Brian Kelly and Butch Jones who combined for three MAC Championships in four years, four consecutive bowl appearance and top 25 finish in the nation.

CMU head coaches through the 2025 season.[3]

Coach Seasons Years Record
Pete McCormick189613–1
Carl Pray1897–189936–5
Unknown190011–0
No team1901
Charles Tambling1902–1905, 1918518–2
No team1906
Ralph Thacker190712–4
Hugh Sutherland190814–3
Harry Helmer1909–1912414–9–2
No team1913–1915
Blake Miller191611–5
Fred Johnson191711–2
Garland Nevitt191912–2–3
Joe Simmons192014–3–1
Wallace Parker1921–1923, 1926–1928632–10–6
Lester Barnard1924–1925211–2–3
Butch Nowack1929–193028–5–2
George Van Bibber1931–1933312–9–2
Alex Yunevich1934–193639–13–1
Ron Finch1937–19461054–18–1
Lyle Bennett1947–194938–15–1
Warren Schmakel195016–4
Kenneth Kelly1951–19661691–58–2
Roy Kramer1967–19771183–32–2
Herb Deromedi1978–199316110–55–10
Dick Flynn1994–1999630–37
Mike DeBord2000–2003412–34
Brian Kelly2004–2006319–16
Jeff Quinn†2006–1–0
Butch Jones2007–2009327–13
Steve Stripling†2009–1–0
Dan Enos2010–2014526–36
John Bonamego2015–2018422–29
Jim McElwain2019–2024633–36
Matt Drinkall2025–present27–6

† Interim

Bowl games

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Playoff appearances

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NCAA Division II playoffs

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The Chippewas made one appearance in the Division II playoffs, with a combined record of 3–0.

Year Round Opponent Result
1974 Quarterfinals
Semifinals
National Championship		 Boise State
Louisiana Tech
Delaware		 W, 20–6
W, 35–14
W, 54–14

Rivalries

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Western Michigan

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These archrivals first met in 1907 and have faced one another annually since 1943. Since the two schools are separated by a two-hour drive, the visiting team typically has a strong fan and student presence at the game. The winner of the game receives the Cannon Trophy.[5] The outcome also helps determine the winner of the Michigan MAC Trophy, a trophy fought over between Michigan's three MAC football teams: the Central Michigan Chippewas, the Western Michigan Broncos, and the Eastern Michigan Eagles.[6] WMU leads the series overall 53-40-2 as of November 1, 2025.[7]

Eastern Michigan

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Ryan Radcliff looks to pass during a 2011 game against Eastern Michigan

The Chippewas and Eagles maintain a less prominent, but steady rivalry. CMU holds the series lead over Eastern Michigan, leading 65–32–6.[8][when?]

Traditions

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Kelly/Shorts game day experience

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Central Michigan has the largest on-campus stadium in the Mid-American Conference,[9] seating 32,885 fans and has been playing home football games dating back to 1896. The Sporting News has named Kelly/Shorts Stadium "the finest football facility in the Mid-American Conference" and "the best game day atmosphere in the MAC".[10]

The East End of the stadium (as of 2014) once again hosts the CMU Student section backing the football team.[11] The Chippewa Marching Band, cheerleaders, and dance team add to the game day experience[12] and has helped CMU to get a .671 winning percentage all-time at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.[13]

CMU drew a capacity crowd of 35,127 fans for the Central Michigan–Michigan State game televised on ESPNU[14] and has hosted schools from the ACC, Big Ten, and Big 12 conferences. Future opponents at home include schools from the Big Ten, ACC, Big 12, Pac-12 and Mountain West conferences.[15]

In 2010, the CMU Board of Trustees designed and set course to construct a state of the art stadium expansion to integrate a hotel, restaurant, and conference center connected by a glass atrium to new stadium suites on the east side. This addition will be custom-built into Kelly/Shorts Stadium.[16]

Newer upgrades include a video scoreboard standing six stories and featuring two video replay boards—one facing into the stadium and a second board facing outside the stadium by tailgating areas. NFL-quality permanent lighting has been installed for television and future ESPN night games.[17]

College Football Hall of Fame

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Two former Central Michigan coaches have been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.[18][19][20]

Name Position Career Induction
Herb DeromediHead coach1978–19932007
Roy KramerHead coach1967-19772023

Notable players

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Retired numbers

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Central Michigan Chippewas retired numbers
No. Player Pos. Tenure Ref.
62Jim PodoleyHB1952–1956[25]

Media

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Radio

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The CMU Sports Network broadcasts all games live throughout Michigan and online for free.

CMU Sports Network Affiliates:

Television

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The ESPN family of channels and Fox Sports affiliates have provided national and local television coverage.

CMU Sports Zone provides live and archive Internet video-feed of games, gameday coverage, and coaches shows.[27]

Future non-conference opponents

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Announced schedules as of February 18, 2026.[28]

2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2032
at New Mexico (9/5) Monmouth (9/2) at Troy (9/16) New Mexico (9/8) at Michigan State (8/31) at Old Dominion (9/18)
Colgate (9/12) at Michigan State (9/11) at Rutgers (9/15) Troy (9/7)
Wyoming (9/19) Old Dominion (9/18) at San Diego State (9/21)
at Miami (FL) (9/26) at Wyoming (9/25)

References

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  1. ↑ "Graphic Identity Guidelines". Central Michigan University Brand Identity Standards (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on January 4, 2017. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
  2. ↑ "Division I-A All-Time Winning Percentage". cfbdatawarehouse.com. Archived from the original on September 13, 2012. Retrieved August 13, 2012.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "2020 CMU Media Guide" (PDF). cmuchippewas.com. CMU Athletics. p. 113. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  4. ↑ "Inductee | Herbert William Deromedi 2007". Archived from the original on May 24, 2025. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  5. ↑ http://media.www.cm-life.com/media/storage/paper906/news/2008/10/20/Sports/Column.Cmuwmu.Game.Monumental.In.Multiple.Ways-3494654.shtml[permanent dead link]
  6. ↑ http://media.www.cm-life.com/media/storage/paper906/news/2008/12/05/Sports/Dethroned-3571428.shtml[permanent dead link]
  7. ↑ Paul, Tony. "CMU vs. WMU always 'personal'; Saturday's game a factor in MAC race, too". The Detroit News. Retrieved November 1, 2025.
  8. ↑ "mcubed.net : NCAAF Football : Series records : Central Michigan vs. Eastern Michigan". mcubed.net.
  9. ↑ "CMUCHIPPEWAS.COM - Official Athletic Site". www.cmuchippewas.com. Archived from the original on June 25, 2016. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Kelly/Shorts Stadium - CMUChippewas.com—Official Web Site of Central Michigan University Athletics". Cmuchippewas.com. October 23, 2012. Archived from the original on November 5, 2013. Retrieved September 30, 2013.
  11. ↑ "Student Ticket Information". Central Michigan University Athletics. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  12. ↑ "The Chippewa Marching Band | School of Music". Central Michigan University. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  13. ↑ "Central Michigan Football Alltime Record Home". StatMuse. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  14. ↑ "Michigan State Spartans vs. Central Michigan Chippewas - Box Score - September 08, 2012 - ESPN". Espn.go.com. September 8, 2012. Retrieved September 30, 2013.
  15. ↑ "2014 Central Michigan Chippewas Football Schedule - CMU". www.fbschedules.com.
  16. ↑ "Central Michigan Life – Proposal for on-campus hotel to go before board Thursday". Cm-life.com. Archived from the original on October 2, 2013. Retrieved September 30, 2013.
  17. ↑ "Kelly/Shorts Stadium - CMUChippewas.com—Official Web Site of Central Michigan University Athletics". Cmuchippewas.com. August 31, 2010. Archived from the original on November 1, 2013. Retrieved September 30, 2013.
  18. ↑ "CMU legend Herb Deromedi named to Football Playoff Selection Committee". December 31, 2009.
  19. ↑ "Inductees - Football Players & Coaches - College Football Hall of Fame". www.cfbhall.com.
  20. ↑ "Inductee | Roy F. Kramer 2023".
  21. ↑ "Brett Hartmann Stats - ESPN". Espn.go.com. Retrieved September 30, 2013.
  22. ↑ "Gary Hogeboom NFL Football Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. August 21, 1958. Retrieved September 30, 2013.
  23. ↑ "Gary Hogeboom - Survivor: Guatemala". Survivorfever.net. August 21, 1958. Retrieved September 30, 2013.
  24. ↑ "Robert Jackson Past Stats, Statistics, History, and Awards". databaseFootball.com. Archived from the original on October 3, 2013. Retrieved September 30, 2013.
  25. ↑ "CMU Remembers Jim Podoley". cmuchippewas.com. February 19, 2010. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
  26. ↑ "Listen to CMU Football on the Chippewa Sports Radio Network". Central Michigan University Athletics. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
  27. ↑ "More Info - Central Michigan". Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved 2010-07-07.
  28. ↑ "Central Michigan Chippewas Football Future Schedules". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved February 18, 2026.
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