| West Georgia Wolves football | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| |||
 | |||
| First season | 1946; 79 years ago (1946) | ||
| Athletic director | Jason Carmichael | ||
| Head coach | Joel Taylor 2nd season, 4–7 (.364) | ||
| Stadium | University Stadium (capacity: 10,000) | ||
| Year built | 2009 | ||
| Location | Carrollton, Georgia | ||
| NCAA division | Division I FCS | ||
| Conference | United Athletic Conference | ||
| All-time record | 236–231–0 (.505) | ||
| Claimed national titles | |||
| 1 (NCAA Division III: 1982) | |||
| Playoff appearances | |||
| 11 | |||
| Conference titles | |||
| 4 | |||
| Rivalries | Valdosta State | ||
| Colors | Blue and red[1] | ||
| Website | uwgathletics.com | ||
TheWest Georgia Wolves football program represents theUniversity of West Georgia (UWG) incollege football. Previously anNCAA Division II team, they became aDivision I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) program as a member of theUnited Athletic Conference (UAC), effective July 1, 2024.
The West Georgia football team, originally known as the Braves (which was the nickname until 2006), was founded in 1946, when the school, then known as West Georgia College, was atwo-year institution.[2] They had their first practice on September 30, 1946, with 54 players reporting, and ended their first season with a record of 2–5–1.[2] Prior to the 1958 season, the school became a four-year institution, and the football team played one year with onlyfreshmen andsophomores before being discontinued.[3][4] In total, from 1946 to 1958, West Georgia won only 13 games.[5]
On May 14, 1980, it was announced that West Georgia was reviving its football team, with intentions to play in 1981 as anNCAA Division III independent.[6]Bobby Pate was hired as head coach and the team had around 385 players try out, with 115 making the squad.[7] Despite them being in their first season in 23 years, West Georgia compiled a perfect 9–0 regular season record and reached the Division III playoffs, where they lost in the first round to the ultimate national championsWidener, by one score.[8][9] In their second season back, West Georgia compiled a perfect 12–0 record and won the national championship with a shutout win overAugustana (IL).[8][10]
The team moved up to theNCAA Division II level after two years in Division III, joining theGulf South Conference (GSC), where they remained through 2023.[11][12] In their GSC tenure, the Braves / Wolves won four conference championships (1997, 1998, 2000, 2015), two NCAA regional championships (2014, 2015) and reached the Division II playoffs nine times.[13][14]
In 2023, it was announced that the team was moving to theNCAA Division I FCS level as a member of theUnited Athletic Conference (UAC), an alliance of theAtlantic Sun Conference (ASUN) andWestern Athletic Conference (WAC), effective July 1, 2024.[15]
| Gulf South Conference Champions | 1997, 1998, 2000, 2015 |
| NCAA Division II Team Playoff Participants | 1995, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2021 |
| NCAA Division II Regional Championships | 2014, 2015 |
| NCAA Division III Team Playoff Participants | 1981, 1982 |
| NCAA Division III Regional Championships | 1982 |
| NCAA Division III National Championships | 1982 |
Future non-conference opponents announced as of September 10, 2025.[16]
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 |
|---|---|---|---|
| atSamford | Chattanooga | atChattanooga | atTroy |
| atNicholls | atKennesaw State | atCincinnati | |
| East Tennessee State | atArkansas State | atSouth Alabama | |
| atEast Tennessee State |
