What Is 2015 New Hampshire Wildcats football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2015 New Hampshire Wildcats football team represented the University of New Hampshire in the NCAA Division I FCS football season, finishing with a 6–5 overall record and 4–4 in CAA play under head coach Sean McDonnell. They did not qualify for the FCS playoffs, marking a below-average season compared to prior years.

Key Facts

Finished with a 6–5 overall record and 4–4 in CAA play
Head coach Sean McDonnell led the team in his 18th season
Played home games at Wildcat Stadium in Durham, NH
Scored 278 total points (25.3 per game) and allowed 276
Did not qualify for the FCS playoffs for the first time since 2011

Overview

The 2015 New Hampshire Wildcats football team represented the University of New Hampshire in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) as a member of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA). The team was led by head coach Sean McDonnell, who was in his 18th season at the helm, and played its home games at Wildcat Stadium in Durham, New Hampshire.

The season was marked by inconsistency, as the Wildcats posted a 6–5 overall record and a 4–4 mark in conference play. Despite showing flashes of competitiveness, they failed to secure a playoff berth for the first time since 2011, ending a streak of four consecutive FCS playoff appearances.

Record: The team finished with a 6–5 overall record, their first losing season since 2011, reflecting a decline in performance compared to previous years.
Conference performance: In CAA play, they went 4–4, placing in the middle of the 12-team league and missing out on postseason qualification.
Head coach: Sean McDonnell remained head coach for his 18th season, having led the team to multiple FCS semifinal appearances earlier in the decade.
Home stadium: The Wildcats played all home games at Wildcat Stadium, a 11,000-seat venue on the UNH campus in Durham, New Hampshire.
Scoring: They scored 278 total points (25.3 per game) and allowed 276, indicating a near-even point differential across the 11-game season.

How It Works

The 2015 season operated under standard NCAA FCS rules and CAA scheduling, with a focus on conference standings determining playoff eligibility. Each team played a 11-game regular season, including eight conference matchups, with the top teams advancing to the FCS playoffs.

Season structure: The Wildcats played an 11-game regular season, with eight games against CAA opponents and three non-conference matchups against FCS programs.
Playoff eligibility: Only teams with strong conference records typically qualify; UNH’s 4–4 CAA record placed them outside the playoff picture.
Key players: Quarterback Sean Goldrich started most games, throwing for 1,874 yards and 13 touchdowns with 10 interceptions on the season.
Defensive performance: The defense allowed 276 points (25.1 per game), struggling particularly in losses to ranked CAA teams like James Madison and William & Mary.
Notable game: A 35–28 win over Maine in October kept playoff hopes alive, but a loss to Villanova in November ended postseason chances.
Rivalries: The annual Battle for the Brice-Cowell Musket against Maine continued, with UNH winning 35–28 in Orono, Maine.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2015 season with the two prior years to illustrate performance trends:

Season	Overall Record	CAA Record	Points For	Points Against	Playoff Result
2015	6–5	4–4	278	276	Did not qualify
2014	8–5	5–3	345	288	FCS Semifinals
2013	10–3	6–2	327	219	FCS Quarterfinals
2012	7–5	5–3	275	250	FCS Second Round
2011	7–5	5–3	260	220	Did not qualify

The table shows a clear decline in performance from 2013–2014, when UNH reached the FCS semifinals, to 2015, when they failed to make the playoffs. The drop in offensive efficiency and lack of dominant wins contributed to the downturn, highlighting a transitional phase for the program.

Why It Matters

The 2015 season was a turning point for the Wildcats, signaling the end of a dominant era and the beginning of a rebuilding phase. It underscored the competitive nature of the CAA, where even historically strong programs can quickly fall behind without consistent talent development.

End of dominance: The missed playoff berth ended a four-year streak of postseason appearances, including two semifinal runs under McDonnell.
Recruiting impact: A losing season may have affected recruiting momentum, as top FCS prospects often favor playoff-competitive programs.
Coaching evaluation: Despite the downturn, McDonnell retained his position, a testament to his prior success and program loyalty.
Player development: Several 2015 players, including linebacker Trevor Williams, went on to become key contributors in future seasons.
Conference parity: The season highlighted the growing strength of the CAA, with teams like James Madison and Richmond rising as national powers.
Program trajectory: The 2015 season served as a reset, leading to strategic adjustments in recruiting and player development in subsequent years.

While not a standout year, 2015 remains a critical chapter in understanding the ebb and flow of college football programs at the FCS level, especially for a historically competitive team like New Hampshire.