Seven schools will launch football this fall, pushing the record census number to 778 schools participating in college football, according to data highlighted by the National Football Foundation on Thursday.
The seven new programs is the most newcomers since 12 programs came aboard in 2013. A total of 58 colleges and universities launched football in the decade proceeding 2018, and five more schools will come aboard in 2019-20.
The seven newcomers in 2018 are:
- Allen University -- Columbia, S.C., NAIA, Independent, Head coach Teddy Keaton
- Alvernia University -- Reading, Pa., Division III, Middle Atlantic Conference, Head coach Ralph Clark
- Indiana Wesleyan University -- Marion, Ind., NAIA, Mid-States Football Association, Head coach Jordan Langs
- Keiser University -- West Palm Beach, Fla., NAIA, Mid-South Conference, Head coach Doug Socha
- Lawrence Technological University -- Southfield, Mich., NAIA, Independent, Head coach Jeff Duvendeck
- Ottawa University-Arizona -- Surprise, Ariz., NAIA, Sooner Athletic Conference, Head coach Mike Nesbitt
- University of New England -- Biddeford, Maine, Division III, Commonwealth Coast Conference, Head coach Mike Lichten
“We know that we also have to make choices institutionally that will continue to expand our footprint and provide new and exciting opportunities for our students as well as positively engage our friends and partners in the community," Barton College president Dr. Douglas N. Searcy said, whose school launches football in 2019. "Bringing football to campus is exactly that kind of bold choice. Football will undoubtedly create a tremendous surge of energy and enthusiasm among students, as well as faculty, staff, alumni and the Wilson community.”