What Is 2013 Richmond Spiders football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2013 Richmond Spiders football team represented the University of Richmond in the NCAA Division I FCS football season, finishing with a 6–5 overall record under head coach Danny Rocco. They competed in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) and did not qualify for the FCS playoffs.

Key Facts

The 2013 Richmond Spiders finished with a 6–5 overall record
Head coach Danny Rocco led the team in his fifth season
They played home games at E. Claiborne Robins Stadium
The Spiders competed in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA)
They did not qualify for the FCS playoffs in 2013

Overview

The 2013 Richmond Spiders football team represented the University of Richmond during the 2013 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Competing in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA), the team was led by head coach Danny Rocco in his fifth year at the helm.

The Spiders played their home games at E. Claiborne Robins Stadium in Richmond, Virginia, and finished the season with a 6–5 overall record. Despite a competitive schedule, they fell short of qualifying for the FCS playoffs, marking a transition period in the program’s recent history.

Record: The team finished the season with a 6–5 overall record, reflecting a slightly above-average performance but falling short of postseason eligibility.
Conference: As members of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA), the Spiders faced strong competition from regional rivals like New Hampshire and James Madison.
Head Coach: Danny Rocco, in his fifth season, emphasized player development and program stability during a rebuilding phase for the team.
Home Stadium: E. Claiborne Robins Stadium, located on campus, hosted all home games and has a seating capacity of approximately 8,700.
Postseason: The Spiders did not qualify for the 2013 FCS playoffs, ending their season after the regular schedule concluded in November.

How It Works

The structure of NCAA Division I FCS football involves a regular season followed by a 24-team playoff to determine the national champion. Teams are evaluated based on win-loss records, strength of schedule, and conference performance.

Division I FCS: The Football Championship Subdivision is the second tier of NCAA Division I football, where teams compete for a playoff berth rather than a bowl game.
CAA Membership: The Colonial Athletic Association includes 12 football-playing schools, and Richmond has been a member since 1988, competing annually for the conference title.
Playoff Qualification: Only 24 teams qualify for the FCS playoffs, with automatic bids going to conference champions and at-large bids awarded by a selection committee.
Schedule Format: The 2013 Spiders played 11 games, including six conference matchups and five non-conference contests against teams like Virginia Tech and Stony Brook.
Recruiting Impact: Performance in seasons like 2013 influences recruiting, as consistent success helps attract higher-caliber high school athletes to the program.
Player Development: The season served as a developmental year for younger players, with several freshmen and sophomores seeing significant playing time under Rocco’s leadership.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2013 Richmond Spiders with other CAA teams and the eventual 2013 FCS champion:

Team	Overall Record	Conference Record	Postseason Result	Head Coach
Richmond Spiders	6–5	5–3	Did not qualify	Danny Rocco
James Madison	8–4	6–2	Lost in quarterfinals	Mike Houston
New Hampshire	11–3	7–1	Lost in semifinals	Sean McDonnell
North Dakota State	15–0	8–0 (Missouri Valley)	National Champions	Craig Bohl
Towson	11–3	7–1	Lost in championship game	Caleb Funkhouser

This table illustrates how the 2013 Richmond Spiders compared to both conference peers and national contenders. While Richmond had a winning conference record at 5–3, their overall 6–5 mark was not enough to earn an at-large playoff bid. In contrast, teams like New Hampshire and Towson dominated the CAA and advanced deep into the playoffs, while North Dakota State completed a perfect 15–0 season to claim the national title.

Why It Matters

The 2013 season was a transitional year for the Richmond program, offering insights into long-term development and competitive positioning within the FCS landscape.

Program Stability: Maintaining consistent leadership under Danny Rocco helped stabilize the team despite fluctuating win-loss records.
Player Growth: Several underclassmen gained valuable experience, laying the foundation for improved performance in subsequent seasons.
Recruiting Pipeline: Competitive seasons help maintain visibility, aiding in attracting talent from Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic region.
CAA Relevance: Remaining competitive in the CAA ensures Richmond stays relevant in conference standings and playoff discussions.
Fan Engagement: Even non-playoff seasons contribute to fan loyalty and stadium attendance, supporting athletic department revenue.
Historical Context: The 2013 season is part of a broader narrative of Richmond football, which won the 2008 FCS national championship and continues to build on that legacy.

While the 2013 Richmond Spiders did not achieve postseason success, the season played a crucial role in shaping the future trajectory of the program, emphasizing development, conference competitiveness, and long-term sustainability in FCS football.