What Is 2017 Albany Great Danes football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2017 Albany Great Danes football team represented the University at Albany in the NCAA Division I FCS season, finishing with a 6-5 record. They competed in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) and were led by head coach Greg Gattuso.

Key Facts

The 2017 Albany Great Danes finished the season with a 6-5 overall record and 4-4 in conference play.
Head coach Greg Gattuso was in his second season leading the team.
The team played its home games at Bob Ford Field at Tom & Mary Casey Stadium in Albany, NY.
Quarterback Vincent Testaverde started multiple games after transferring from South Florida.
Albany competed in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA), one of the top FCS conferences.

Overview

The 2017 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 Colonial Athletic Association (CAA), the team was led by head coach Greg Gattuso in his second year at the helm.

The Great Danes played their home games at Bob Ford Field at Tom & Mary Casey Stadium, a 8,500-seat venue in Albany, New York. While they did not qualify for the FCS playoffs, the 2017 season marked continued development under Gattuso’s leadership, with notable performances on both offense and defense.

Final record: The team finished the season 6-5 overall and 4-4 in CAA play, showing balanced performance across non-conference and league games.
Head coach:Greg Gattuso, son of former NFL coach Dick Gattuso, entered his second season and emphasized defensive toughness and physical play.
Stadium: The Great Danes played home games at Bob Ford Field at Tom & Mary Casey Stadium, which opened in 2013 and has hosted CAA championship contenders.
Quarterback:Vincent Testaverde, son of Heisman winner Vinny Testaverde, transferred from South Florida and started several games during the season.
Conference: The CAA is one of the strongest FCS conferences, featuring powerhouses like North Dakota State and James Madison, making a 4-4 record competitive.

How It Works

The structure of NCAA Division I FCS football includes rigorous scheduling, conference alignment, and player eligibility rules that shape team performance. For Albany, competing in the CAA meant facing physically tough opponents weekly, requiring strategic depth and roster management.

Division I FCS: The Football Championship Subdivision is the second tier of NCAA Division I football, with a 24-team playoff to determine the national champion. Teams must meet strict scholarship and scheduling requirements.
CAA Membership: The Colonial Athletic Association includes 12 football-playing schools; Albany has been a member since 2007 and regularly competes for playoff spots.
Scholarships: FCS teams are allowed 63 full scholarships, divided among players, compared to 85 in the FBS, affecting roster depth and recruiting.
Playoff Eligibility: To qualify for the FCS playoffs, teams must meet minimum game thresholds and conference standings; Albany’s 4-4 record was just short of consideration.
Recruiting: The Great Danes focus on the Northeast corridor, especially New York and New Jersey, to attract athletes who fit Gattuso’s physical, run-oriented system.
Transfer Players: The use of transfers, like Vincent Testaverde, allowed Albany to fill quarterback gaps quickly while developing younger talent.

Comparison at a Glance

Albany’s 2017 season can be better understood by comparing it to recent years and peer programs in the CAA. The table below highlights key performance metrics.

Season	Overall Record	CAA Record	Playoff Appearance	Head Coach
2015	6-5	4-4	No	Greg Gattuso
2016	6-5	4-4	No	Greg Gattuso
2017	6-5	4-4	No	Greg Gattuso
2018	7-4	6-2	Yes	Greg Gattuso
2019	9-4	6-2	Yes	Greg Gattuso

The 2017 season was consistent with the previous two years, showing steady performance before a breakout in 2018 and 2019. While the Great Danes did not make the playoffs in 2017, the foundation was laid for future success, including deeper playoff runs later in the decade.

Why It Matters

The 2017 season was a transitional year that helped shape the trajectory of Albany’s football program under Greg Gattuso. Though not a playoff year, it provided valuable experience and development for key players and coaching strategies.

Program growth: The consistent 6-5 records from 2015–2017 demonstrated program stability and set the stage for future improvements.
Quarterback development: Playing Vincent Testaverde allowed the team to evaluate talent and refine the passing game for future seasons.
Recruiting momentum: Competitive seasons helped maintain recruiting interest in the Northeast, crucial for a mid-tier FCS program.
Conference competitiveness: A 4-4 CAA record showed Albany could compete with some of the top FCS teams in the nation.
Coaching continuity: Gattuso’s second year provided time to implement his system, leading to better results in subsequent seasons.
Facility investment: Continued use of Casey Stadium reinforced Albany’s commitment to upgrading its football infrastructure.

While the 2017 Albany Great Danes did not achieve postseason play, the season was a critical link in the program’s evolution toward becoming a consistent CAA contender in the late 2010s.