Florida Colleges With Football Programs

Florida State University

• Florida State University, known more commonly in athletics as the Seminoles, has a proud tradition of football that dates back to 1947. Bobby Bowden, known for wearing straw hats, was a common fixture on the sidelines for the garnet and gold for more than 25 years. Bowden coached the Seminoles to more than 350 victories and two national championships during the 1990s. The Florida State football stadium, which holds more than 83,000 fans, is even named in his honor. Deion Sanders and Derrick Brooks both played at Florida State and later went on to win a Super Bowl.

  The Florida State University
  600 W. College Ave.
  Tallahassee, FL 32306
  850-645-2527
  seminoles.com

University of Florida

• More than 90,000 fans pack Ben Hill Griffin Stadium---commonly known as "The Swamp"---during the fall to watch University of Florida football. The football team competes in the tough Southeast Conference. Nicknamed the Gators, the University of Florida has produced many NFL draft picks and All-Americans. This college program has competed in more than 30 college bowl games and won national championships in 1996, 2006, and 2008. Emmitt Smith, one of the NFL's greatest running backs, played his college football for the University of Florida.

  University of Florida
  303 W University Ave.
  Gainesville, FL 32601
  352-392-2466
  gatorzone.com

University of Miami

• The University of Miami's football history dates back to the 1930s. However, the Hurricanes came into prominence during the 1980s, winning three championships during the decade. The Hurricanes also won national titles in 1991 and 2001. In 1987, 1991, and 2001 the Hurricanes finished the season with a perfect record. From 2000-2002 the Hurricanes ran off one of the longest winning streaks in college football history, winning 34 straight contests. NFL Hall of Famers Jim Kelly and Michael Irvin played college football at Miami.

  University of Miami
  Coral Gables, FL 33124
  305-284-2211
  hurricanesports.cstv.com

University of Central Florida

• Florida is home to other football programs besides the major powerhouses. The University of Central Florida began a football program in 1979. Originally, the Golden Knights competed at the NCAA Division III level and moved up to NCAA Division I-A in 1996. Daunte Culpepper, a three time All-American quarterback, holds many of the school's offensive records.

  University of Central Florida
  4000 Central Florida Blvd.
  Orlando, Florida, 32816
  407-823-2000
  ucfathletics.cstv.com