What Is 2017 New Hampshire Wildcats football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2017 New Hampshire Wildcats football team represented the University of New Hampshire in the 2017 NCAA Division I FCS football season, finishing with a 5–6 overall record under head coach Sean McDonnell. They competed in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA), going 4–4 in conference play, and did not qualify for the FCS playoffs.

Key Facts

The 2017 New Hampshire Wildcats finished with a 5–6 overall record
They went 4–4 in Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) play
Head coach Sean McDonnell led the team in his 20th season
The team played home games at Wildcat Stadium in Durham, NH
They did not qualify for the 2017 FCS playoffs

Overview

The 2017 New Hampshire Wildcats football team represented the University of New Hampshire during the 2017 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Competing in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA), the team was led by head coach Sean McDonnell in his 20th season at the helm, marking a long-standing tenure in the program’s history.

The Wildcats finished the season with a 5–6 overall record and a 4–4 mark in conference play. Despite showing competitiveness in several games, they narrowly missed qualifying for the FCS playoffs, falling short of postseason contention for the second consecutive year.

Season Record: The team finished with a 5–6 overall record, their first losing season since 2011, reflecting a decline in performance compared to previous years.
Conference Play: In the highly competitive CAA, the Wildcats went 4–4, placing them in the middle of the 13-team conference standings.
Head Coach: Sean McDonnell served as head coach for his 20th season in 2017, having led the program since 1999 and amassing over 150 career wins.
Home Stadium: The Wildcats played their home games at Wildcat Stadium in Durham, New Hampshire, a 11,000-seat venue known for its intimate, energetic atmosphere.
Postseason: New Hampshire did not qualify for the 2017 FCS playoffs, ending a streak of seven appearances from 2004 to 2016, a significant setback for the program.

How It Works

The structure and operation of the New Hampshire Wildcats football program follow NCAA Division I FCS guidelines, including scholarship limits, scheduling, and playoff eligibility. The team’s season consists of a mix of non-conference and conference games, culminating in potential postseason qualification based on performance.

Division: The Wildcats compete in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), formerly known as Division I-AA, which features a 24-team playoff system to determine the national champion.
Conference: As members of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA), New Hampshire plays against strong regional rivals such as Maine, Villanova, and William & Mary each season.
Scholarships: FCS teams are allowed up to 63 full athletic scholarships, distributed among players, compared to 85 in the FBS, impacting roster depth and recruitment.
Playoff Qualification: Teams qualify for the FCS playoffs via automatic bids for conference champions or at-large selections based on rankings and strength of schedule.
Recruiting: The program focuses on Northeastern high schools, emphasizing local talent while also scouting nationally for key positions like quarterback and defensive line.
Coaching Staff: Led by head coach Sean McDonnell, the staff includes coordinators for offense, defense, and special teams, overseeing practice, game planning, and player development.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2017 Wildcats compared to recent seasons in key performance metrics:

Season	Overall Record	CAA Record	Playoff Appearance	Final National Ranking
2017	5–6	4–4	No	Unranked
2016	6–5	5–3	No	Unranked
2015	7–5	5–3	Yes (First Round)	Unranked
2014	6–6	4–4	No	Unranked
2013	11–2	8–0	Yes (Quarterfinals)	#3 FCS

The table illustrates a clear downward trend in performance from 2013’s dominant season to 2017’s losing record. While the Wildcats remained competitive in conference play, consistency and depth issues prevented a return to national prominence. The absence of a playoff berth in 2017 highlighted a transitional phase for the program.

Why It Matters

The 2017 season was a pivotal moment in the trajectory of the New Hampshire football program, reflecting broader challenges in maintaining elite FCS status amid shifting coaching dynamics and increased conference competition. It underscored the importance of sustained investment in recruiting and player development.

Program Legacy: New Hampshire had been a model FCS program, making 12 playoff appearances from 2004 to 2016, so missing in 2017 signaled a concerning shift.
Recruiting Impact: A losing season may have affected the team’s ability to attract top-tier recruits, especially in a talent-rich Northeast region.
Coaching Stability: Sean McDonnell’s long tenure provided continuity, but questions arose about adapting to evolving offensive and defensive schemes.
Conference Competitiveness: The CAA remained one of the toughest FCS conferences, with multiple teams regularly advancing deep into the playoffs.
Player Development: The 2017 season emphasized the need for stronger development of young players, particularly on the offensive line and at quarterback.
Fan Engagement: Attendance and student support dipped slightly, underscoring the link between team success and community enthusiasm.

Ultimately, the 2017 season served as a wake-up call for the Wildcats, prompting internal evaluation and setting the stage for future rebuilding efforts to restore the program’s national reputation.