What Is 2006 The Citadel Bulldogs football

Content on WhatAnswers is provided "as is" for informational purposes. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees. Content is AI-assisted and should not be used as professional advice.

Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2006 The Citadel Bulldogs football team represented The Citadel Military College of South Carolina during the 2006 NCAA Division I FCS season, finishing with a 5–6 record under head coach Andy Reid. They competed in the Southern Conference, going 3–4 in conference play.

Key Facts

The 2006 season marked The Citadel Bulldogs' 5–6 overall record
Head coach Andy Reid led the team during his fourth season
They played in the Southern Conference with a 3–4 conference record
Home games were held at Johnson Hagood Stadium in Charleston
Quarterback Ben Dupree led the team in rushing with 438 yards

Overview

The 2006 The Citadel Bulldogs football team represented The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, in the 2006 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Competing as members of the Southern Conference (SoCon), the team was led by head coach Andy Reid in his fourth year at the helm.

Playing their home games at Johnson Hagood Stadium in Charleston, South Carolina, the Bulldogs finished the season with a 5–6 overall record and a 3–4 mark in conference play. Despite not securing a postseason berth, the team showed resilience in a challenging schedule featuring several ranked opponents.

Record: The Bulldogs ended the season with a 5–6 overall record, their first losing season since 2002, reflecting a transitional phase in the program.
Conference: Competing in the Southern Conference, they posted a 3–4 conference record, placing them in the lower half of the league standings.
Head Coach:Andy Reid was in his fourth season, striving to rebuild consistency after a 6–5 campaign in 2005.
Stadium: All home games were played at Johnson Hagood Stadium, which has a capacity of 11,500 and is one of the oldest FCS stadiums in continuous use.
Key Player: Sophomore quarterback Ben Dupree emerged as a dual-threat leader, rushing for 438 yards and passing for 831 yards during the season.

How It Works

The structure of The Citadel’s football program follows standard NCAA Division I FCS protocols, including scholarship limits, scheduling, and conference alignment. The team operates under strict military discipline, reflecting the school’s status as a senior military college.

Division: The Bulldogs compete in the FCS (Football Championship Subdivision), the second-highest tier of NCAA Division I football, with a maximum of 63 scholarship players.
Schedule: The 2006 season included 11 games, with six against Southern Conference opponents and five against non-conference teams.
Recruiting: As a military college, The Citadel emphasizes character and leadership, with recruits required to meet academic and physical standards for ROTC participation.
Gameplay: The team ran a triple-option offense in 2006, leveraging mobile quarterbacks and disciplined line play to control the clock and limit opponent possessions.
Season Timeline: The season began on September 2, 2006, with a loss to South Carolina, and concluded on November 18 with a win over Western Carolina.
Discipline: Players are cadets, required to adhere to military structure, including early mornings, uniform codes, and leadership training, which shapes team culture.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2006 Bulldogs’ performance can be better understood when compared to other Southern Conference teams and prior Citadel seasons.

Team	Overall Record	SoCon Record	Postseason	Head Coach
The Citadel	5–6	3–4	No	Andy Reid
Georgia Southern	9–3	7–1	Won FCS Quarterfinals	Mike Sewak
Appalachian State	10–3	7–1	Won FCS Championship	Jerry Moore
Western Carolina	6–5	4–4	No	Jackie Sherrill
Chattanooga	6–5	5–3	No	Randy Sanders

The Citadel’s 5–6 record placed them behind stronger SoCon programs like Appalachian State and Georgia Southern, both of which advanced deep into the FCS playoffs. While not dominant, the season maintained competitive balance within the conference, with three conference wins against quality opponents.

Why It Matters

The 2006 season was a transitional year that highlighted both challenges and potential within The Citadel football program. It underscored the difficulty of maintaining competitiveness in a military-focused academic environment while facing increasingly athletic FCS opponents.

Player Development: The emergence of Ben Dupree signaled a shift toward mobile quarterbacks, influencing offensive strategy in subsequent years.
Recruiting Impact: A losing record made recruiting more difficult, though the military structure continued to attract disciplined, character-driven athletes.
Conference Standing: Finishing with a .429 winning percentage kept the Bulldogs from postseason contention but avoided the bottom of the SoCon.
Institutional Identity: The season reinforced The Citadel’s dual mission of military training and athletics, setting it apart from non-military FCS programs.
Historical Context: This season was part of a rebuilding phase after a 6–5 2005 season, showing the volatility of FCS-level programs with limited scholarships.
Long-Term Influence: Lessons from 2006 contributed to future improvements, culminating in a 9–3 season and FCS playoff appearance in 2015.

While not a standout year, the 2006 campaign provided valuable experience and set the foundation for future progress in The Citadel’s football program.