What Is 2014 Albany Great Danes football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2014 Albany Great Danes football team represented the University at Albany in the NCAA Division I FCS football season, finishing with a 7–5 record under head coach Greg Gattuso and advancing to the FCS playoffs for the second consecutive year.

Key Facts

The 2014 Albany Great Danes finished the season with a 7–5 overall record.
They played in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) and posted a 5–3 conference record.
Head coach Greg Gattuso led the team in his fourth season at Albany.
The Great Danes qualified for the FCS playoffs but lost in the first round to New Hampshire.
Quarterback Kyle Flood threw for 2,127 yards and 15 touchdowns during the season.

Overview

The 2014 Albany Great Danes football team represented the University at Albany in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) during the 2014 season. Competing as a member of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA), the team was led by fourth-year head coach Greg Gattuso and played its home games at Tom & Mary Casey Stadium.

The Great Danes showed consistent offensive performance and solid defensive efforts throughout the season, earning a winning record and a second consecutive playoff berth. Despite falling short in the postseason, the 2014 campaign marked continued progress for the program under Gattuso’s leadership.

Record: The team finished the season with a 7–5 overall record, including a 5–3 mark in CAA play, placing them in the upper half of the conference standings.
Playoff appearance: Albany qualified for the FCS playoffs for the second straight year, highlighting the program’s growing competitiveness at the national level.
Key loss: The Great Danes were eliminated in the first round of the FCS playoffs by the New Hampshire Wildcats with a final score of 31–14.
Offensive leader: Quarterback Kyle Flood started most games, throwing for 2,127 yards and 15 touchdowns while completing 58% of his passes.
Defensive strength: Linebacker John Loughney led the team with 97 total tackles, earning him a second-team All-CAA selection.

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 selected based on conference performance, strength of schedule, and overall win-loss record, with automatic bids going to conference champions and at-large bids awarded by a selection committee.

Regular season: The Great Danes played a 12-game schedule, facing a mix of CAA opponents and non-conference teams, including a notable win over Stony Brook.
CAA competition: As members of the Colonial Athletic Association, Albany competed against strong programs like New Hampshire, Maine, and James Madison.
Playoff qualification: Teams qualify for the FCS playoffs via automatic bids (conference champions) or at-large selections based on national rankings.
Coaching staff: Head coach Greg Gattuso emphasized discipline and defense, building on a foundation established since taking over in 2011.
Home field advantage: Playing at Tom & Mary Casey Stadium in Albany, NY, the team posted a 5–1 home record during the 2014 season.
Recruiting impact: The 2014 season reflected the success of recent recruiting classes, with 14 starters being underclassmen or first-time starters.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2014 Albany Great Danes compared to previous and subsequent seasons:

Season	Overall Record	CAA Record	Playoff Result	Head Coach
2012	5–6	3–5	Did not qualify	Greg Gattuso
2013	8–5	6–2	Lost in second round	Greg Gattuso
2014	7–5	5–3	Lost in first round	Greg Gattuso
2015	6–6	4–4	Did not qualify	Greg Gattuso
2016	7–5	5–3	Lost in first round	Greg Gattuso

The 2014 season represented a slight dip in performance compared to 2013 but remained consistent with the program’s upward trajectory. While the team maintained a winning record and playoff appearance, offensive efficiency declined slightly compared to the previous year, and injuries affected depth in key positions.

Why It Matters

The 2014 season was a critical chapter in Albany’s development as a competitive FCS program. It demonstrated the team’s ability to remain consistently above .500 and qualify for postseason play, which is essential for recruiting and national recognition.

Program momentum: Making the playoffs in back-to-back seasons helped solidify Albany as a rising force in the FCS landscape.
Recruiting boost: Success on the field translated into higher recruiting rankings and increased interest from top regional prospects.
Conference credibility: Strong performances against CAA rivals improved the conference’s national reputation and RPI rankings.
Player development: Several 2014 players, including linebacker John Loughney, went on to earn All-CAA honors in subsequent seasons.
Coaching stability: Greg Gattuso’s leadership through multiple winning seasons provided long-term stability for the program.
Foundation for future: The 2014 season laid the groundwork for future success, including a quarterfinal appearance in 2018.

Overall, the 2014 Albany Great Danes football team played a pivotal role in establishing the university as a consistent contender in FCS football, balancing competitive performance with long-term program growth.