North Dakota State University (NDSU) has solidified its dominance in NCAA FCS football, securing its 10th national championship in the 2024-25 season. With a reign that dates back to 2011, the Bison’s impressive run includes 10 titles, making them the program with the most FCS national championships, four ahead of their nearest competitors.
The Bison’s journey to their 10th title began in 2011 and includes a series of victories that have left a lasting legacy. In 2018, NDSU surpassed Georgia Southern—formerly an FCS powerhouse but now an FBS member—with their seventh national title. The following year, they added an eighth by defeating James Madison. After claiming a ninth title in 2021, the Bison returned to the top of the FCS in 2024, cementing their place in history.
The most recent first-time FCS champion is South Dakota State, who triumphed over North Dakota State in 2022 to claim the title. With that victory, South Dakota State became one of 23 schools to win an FCS championship since the competition began in 1978.
Here’s a comprehensive list of every school that has won an FCS championship, ranked from the most titles to the fewest:
Schools with the Most NCAA FCS Football Championships
| School | Number of Titles | Years |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota State | 10 | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2024 |
| Georgia Southern | 6 | 1985, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1999, 2000 |
| Youngstown State | 4 | 1991, 1993, 1994, 1997 |
| Appalachian State | 3 | 2005, 2006, 2007 |
| Eastern Kentucky | 2 | 1979, 1982 |
| James Madison | 2 | 2004, 2016 |
| Marshall | 2 | 1992, 1996 |
| Montana | 2 | 1995, 2001 |
| South Dakota State | 2 | 2022, 2023 |
| Boise State | 1 | 1980 |
| Delaware | 1 | 2003 |
| Eastern Washington | 1 | 2010 |
| Florida A&M | 1 | 1978 |
| Furman | 1 | 1988 |
| Idaho State | 1 | 1981 |
| Louisiana-Monroe | 1 | 1987 |
| Massachusetts | 1 | 1998 |
| Montana State | 1 | 1984 |
| Richmond | 1 | 2008 |
| Sam Houston | 1 | 2020 |
| Southern Illinois | 1 | 1983 |
| Villanova | 1 | 2009 |
| Western Kentucky | 1 | 2002 |
Key FCS Football Facts
Consecutive Championships: Five schools have won FCS titles in consecutive seasons. North Dakota State leads the way with five consecutive titles from 2011 to 2015, as well as three-peat championships from 2017 to 2019. Appalachian State achieved a three-peat from 2005 to 2007. The most recent team to accomplish this feat is South Dakota State, winning back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023. Other teams with consecutive wins include Georgia Southern (1985-86, 1989-90, 1999-00) and Youngstown State (1993-94).
Coaching Records: Jim Tressel of Youngstown State and Chris Klieman of North Dakota State share the record for the most FCS championships as head coaches, each with four titles. Klieman tied Tressel in 2018, before departing for Kansas State in the FBS. Other notable coaches include Craig Bohl (North Dakota State), Jerry Moore (Appalachian State), and Erk Russell (Georgia Southern), who each won three championships.
Championship Game Appearances: North Dakota State has made the most FCS championship game appearances, with 11, boasting a record of 10-1 in title games. Georgia Southern follows with 8 appearances (6-2 record), while Montana has appeared in 8 championship games (2-6 record). Youngstown State is next, with 7 appearances (4-3 record).
Additional Milestones: Thirty-five different programs have reached the FCS national championship game. McNeese is the only school to have reached the title game twice without securing a victory. Before winning in 2020, Sam Houston had been a runner-up in 2011 and 2012.
The FCS football championship landscape continues to evolve, but North Dakota State’s dominance remains unparalleled, with other schools continuing to challenge for the coveted title.
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