What Is 2011 Albany Great Danes football

Overview

The 2011 Albany Great Danes football team represented the University at Albany, SUNY in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). Competing as a member of the Northeast Conference (NEC), the team was led by head coach Bob Ford, who retired after the season following a 13-year tenure.

The Great Danes played their home games at University at Albany Stadium, a 8,500-seat facility on campus. The 2011 season marked a transitional year as Albany prepared to shift its football affiliation to the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) in 2013.

• Record: The team finished with a 6–5 overall record, marking a slight decline from their 7–4 mark in 2010.
• Head Coach:Bob Ford coached his final season in 2011, ending a 13-year career with a 77–75 overall record.
• Home Stadium: Games were played at University at Albany Stadium, located on the school’s uptown campus.
• Conference: Albany competed in the Northeast Conference (NEC) for football, though it was not a full CAA member until 2013.
• Scoring: The offense averaged 25.4 points per game, totaling 279 points across 11 games.

Season Performance

The 2011 campaign saw the Great Danes play a challenging non-conference schedule and a competitive NEC slate. Despite missing the FCS playoffs, the team showed resilience in close games and developed key players for future seasons.

• Offensive Leader: Quarterback Vinny Curry threw for 1,842 yards and 14 touchdowns, leading the passing attack.
• Rushing Standout: Running back Lavon Barnes rushed for 673 yards and five touchdowns on 137 carries.
• Defensive MVP: Linebacker Justin March recorded 8.5 sacks, one of the top marks in the NEC.
• Non-Conference Play: Albany went 3–3 against non-conference opponents, including a win over FBS team UMass.
• Conference Record: The Great Danes posted a 3–3 record in NEC play, finishing mid-table.
• Final Game: Their season ended with a loss to in-state rival Stony Brook on November 19, 2011.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2011 season compared to recent years in terms of performance and key metrics:

The 2011 season was consistent with prior years in win-loss record but showed a dip in conference performance. The NEC standings were competitive, and Albany’s transition phase continued as coaching changes loomed. The team maintained strong offensive production but struggled with consistency in close games.

Why It Matters

The 2011 season was significant as the final year of Bob Ford’s coaching legacy and a bridge to future competitiveness in the CAA. It highlighted player development and set the stage for future conference realignment.

• Coaching Transition: Bob Ford’s retirement paved the way for Greg Gattuso, who brought new energy to the program.
• Player Development: Standouts like Justin March and Vinny Curry improved draft visibility for future prospects.
• Conference Shift: The move toward the CAA signaled Albany’s ambition to compete at a higher FCS level.
• Recruiting Impact: Competitive seasons helped maintain strong regional recruiting in New York and New Jersey.
• Stadium Growth: Continued use of on-campus stadium strengthened fan engagement and home-field advantage.
• Program Legacy: The 2011 team contributed to a foundation that led to future playoff appearances in the 2010s.

While not a playoff year, the 2011 Albany Great Danes played a pivotal role in the program’s long-term trajectory, balancing end-of-era leadership with emerging talent and strategic conference planning.