By Mark Pszonak
While most of the attention regarding conference realignment has been focused on FBS conferences, FCS football has also experienced quite an upheaval in recent years. And most notably that has taken place in the CAA (Coastal Athletic Conference). This continued Thursday with the news that Villanova, another one of the biggest brands in the conference, announced its departure.
Villanova Football set to join the Patriot League in 2026 🏈
— Villanova Football (@NovaFootball) June 5, 2025
🔗: https://t.co/KuN8AbKViq pic.twitter.com/5R3iyPtSDA
The CAA became what it is today in 2007 after the Atlantic 10 Conference (for football) dissolved. Villanova was one of its first members and quickly showcased its value by winning the National Championship in 2009. Even if the Wildcats were the only program to depart it would be a blow, but they just continue a trend that began with Delaware announcing the move up to the FBS level in November 2023. This was followed with Richmond announcing its plans to depart in May of 2024 and then William & Mary doing the same in late April of this year.
As with Villanova, Delaware, Richmond and William & Mary made a huge impression on the CAA. Delaware lost in the National Championship twice, Richmond won the National Championship in 2008, while William & Mary won the CAA three times and reached the National Semifinals in 2009, where they lost to Villanova.
Villanova, Richmond and William & Mary all moved to the Patriot League, which while existing in the same region as the CAA, had not be seen as an equal on the football field. Now there are plenty of questions remaining in the CAA while the Patriot League is on the rise.
Overall, the CAA has seen a slip on the field in recent years as the Missouri Valley Conference and Big Sky Conference have risen to the top. However, not many envisioned this relatively quick upheaval. And even though the conference hasn’t been as powerful nationally in recent years, the four departees have continued to win. During the last three seasons Richmond has gone 28-11, while Delaware went 26-11, Villanova 26-12 and William & Mary 24-12.
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So, who will take advantage of their departures? Programs like Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Albany have all shown flashes but none have been able to do it consistently. But this is just another sign of the times in 2025. Some programs will survive and flourish, while others can potentially fall to the wayside. There will likely be a bit of both in the CAA in the coming years.
