The Hampton University football team hasn’t had the smoothest ride since joining the Coastal Athletic Association for the 2022 season, but there’s no place for the Pirates to go but up in 2026.

Hampton is coming off a 2-10 season that ended with six consecutive losses – all conference games – and a last-place finish in the CAA at 0-8.

When the new campaign gets underway, it will be under the guidance of Van Malone, who was introduced in December and brings more than two decades of collegiate coaching experience.

All of Hampton’s CAA games during the 2026 season can be watched live on FloCollege and the FloSports app.

• Subscribe To FloCollege To Watch College Sports Live And On-Demand
• 5 Facts To Know About CAA Football Going Into 2026
• Meet Sacred Heart University, The CAA's Newest Football Member
• 2026 High School Football Rankings: Every Nationally Ranked Team Streaming On FloCollege

Hampton’s two wins last season came in the first half of the year. The Pirates picked up a 27-20 win against Elizabeth City State on Sept. 6 and a 41-34 victory over Norfolk State on Oct. 4.

The season concluded with a 38-10 loss to Rhode Island that helped the Rams lock up a second consecutive CAA title and the conference’s automatic spot in the FCS Playoffs. 

The next day, the Hampton athletic department announced the departure of head coach Trent Boykin and the start of a national search for his replacement. 

Regardless of who the school brought in, the newcomer would begin his or her tenure under a bit of a dark cloud, as Hampton will remain on probation into December 2027 as a result of NCAA infractions earlier in the decade.

Because ineligible athletes did play for the Hampton football team, the squad was forced to vacate more than a dozen wins from 2021-2023.

The situation coincided with the Pirates’ move from the Big South to the CAA, and as they move past it, they’re still trying to find their footing. 

Hampton was 5-7 overall in 2024 (2-6 in CAA play) and then struggled in 2025, ultimately costing Boykin his job.

Now, Malone will have the opportunity to bring the once-prominent Pirates back into the spotlight.

But before we get bogged down by the grind of the regular season and all the stats and analysis, here are five things to know about Hampton University football in 2026:

Hampton Heads Into 2026 Season Under New Leadership

Van Malone is the 23rd head coach in Hampton football history, and though this is his first head coaching job, he has decades of experience as a player – both collegiately and professionally – and then as an assistant coach for a dozen teams at a variety of levels.

His previous role was seven-season stint as assistant head coach, pass game coordinator and defensive backs coach at Kansas State. 

During his time there, the Wildcats, posted a 53-34 record and earned five bowl invitations: the Liberty Bowl (2019), Texas Bowl (2021), Sugar Bowl (2022), Pop-Tarts Bowl (2023) and the Rate Bowl (2024).

Malone’s time on the field as a player included a decorated career with the Texas Longhorns (1990-1993) and time in the NFL with the Detroit Lions (1994-1997). He later signed with the Arizona Cardinals but was forced into early retirement due to injury. 

Malone’s coaching career began shortly after, and he honed his skills for five years at the high school level, before jumping to the collegiate ranks.

The formal announcement of his hiring at Hampton was made Dec. 12, 2025.

It had been announced the day after the 2025 season finale that Trent Boykin was being relieved of his responsibilities.

He was named interim head coach in May 2024, and by mid-October, the interim tag had been removed. 

Boykin was 7-17 in two years as the Hampton head coach.

Hampton Football Has Nearly 125 Years Of History And Tradition

The Hampton football team has been around since 1902, though the team didn’t play more than one game until 4-1 campaign in 1906.

Nearly 125 years later, the Pirates are closing in on 600 wins and looking for their first conference title in two decades.

From 1913-1994, Hampton won 14 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association championships. 

The Pirates played in the CIAA from 1912 through 1994 and then moved to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (and the FCS level from Division II), where they collected five more conference titles (1997, 1998, 2004, 2005 and 2006).

After a season of independence in 2018, Hampton made a brief stop in the Big South Conference (2019-2021), before landing in the CAA.

Hampton also is one of more than 100 schools identified as Historically Black Colleges and Universities and is one of a half-dozen in Virginia. 

The Pirates have collected seven Black college national championships (1922, 1985, 1994, 1997, 2004, 2005, 2006). 

Only 10 school have earned the honor more times since the concept was introduced in 1920. Grambling State and Florida A&M top the list with 15.

How Did The Hampton Football Team Perform In 2025?

Overall, 2025 was a struggle for the Pirates and ultimately cost them their head coach after just two seasons in charge.

Hampton started the year at 1-1 but then lost three straight, kicked off by a 33-30 overtime thriller against North Carolina A&T. That was one of two wins on the year for the Aggies.

The Pirates then beat Norfolk State in the 60th edition of the Battle of the Bay, 41-34.

The two schools are less than 15 miles apart, and their home cities are connected by the Hampton Roads Tunnel. Entering the 2025 contest, Norfolk State owned the advantage in the series, 30-28-1.

The 2026 Battle of the Bay will take place Sept. 19 at Norfolk State’s William “Dick” Price Stadium, and Hampton will have the chance to even the all-time series at 30 wins apiece. 

Unfortunately for the Pirates, there wasn’t any momentum after the memorable win, and the season ended with six consecutive losses, all CAA matchups.

The team’s final record was 2-10 overall and 0-8 in conference play. 

Despite the struggles, five Hampton players earned All-CAA honors after the 2025 campaign:

2025 CAA Award Winners From Hampton

• Harold O’Neal III, LB, Sr. – Second Team
• Will Hicks, DB, RS-So. – Third Team
• *Omari Allen, OL, RS-Jr. – Honorable Mention
• *Korede Sogbesan, DL, RS-Jr. – Honorable Mention
• *Brett Starling, K, RS-So. – Honorable Mention

*On 2026 roster

2025 Hampton Football Results

• Aug. 30 (Sat): No. 17 Jackson State 28, Hampton 14 (L)
• Sept. 6 (Sat): Hampton 27, Elizabeth City State 20 (W)
• Sept. 13 (Sat): North Carolina A&T 33, Hampton 30 (2OT) (L)
• Sept. 20 (Sat): Howard 34, Hampton 7 (L)
• Sept. 27 (Sat): Elon 41, Hampton 20 (L)
• Oct. 4 (Sat): Hampton 41, Norfolk State 34 (W)
• Oct. 11 (Sat): Campbell 38, Hampton 21 (L)
• Oct. 18 (Sat): No. 14/15 Villanova 56, Hampton 14 (L)
• Oct. 25 (Sat): No. 9/10 Monmouth 28, Hampton 10 (L)
• Nov. 8 (Sat): Maine 35, Hampton 7 (L)
• Nov. 15 (Sat): William & Mary 55, Hampton 14 (L)
• Nov. 22 (Sat): No. 9 Rhode Island 38, Hampton 10 (L)

A Look At The CAA And Hampton Football In 2026

In the days leading up to the announcement of the team’s new head coach, Hampton signed six recruits to help the squad move forward in 2026. The list included three offensive players and three on defense. 

After arriving at the school, Malone was able to add seven transfers to the roster, along with another six recruits during National Signing Day in February. 

The team also returns seven starters on offense and four on defense.

Hampton’s new era under Malone will begin at home at Armstrong Stadium in Hampton, Virginia, on Aug. 29 with a visit from the Virginia University of Lynchburg Dragons.

CAA play for the Pirates will begin quickly. They will host Bryant on Sept. 12.

Armstrong Stadium is the oldest football facility in the CAA and 13th-oldest in the FCS.

The venue opened in 1922 and didn’t have any formal bleachers. Fans sat on blankets or other things they brought with them. The first stands were built by students in time for the 1928 season and had room for 1,500 fans. 

When the stadium was dedicated in 1928, the first opponent was Virginia Seminary, which now is the Virginia University of Lynchburg. 

The school remains committed to the football program and did a major stadium renovation ahead of the 2026 season. 

The field got new turf and also will be home to the lacrosse team and women’s soccer team. The eight-lane track around the field also was replaced. 

But, while all the pieces seem to be falling into place for Hampton football, the CAA coaches still aren’t convinced that all the upgrades will translate to immediate success.

In the CAA’s preseason poll, the Pirates were picked to finish last in the 13-team conference.

At the same time, the voters expect Allen, Sogbesan and Starling to continue their personal success, as all three earned preseason All-CAA recognition. 

Hampton Football Schedule For 2026

All Times Eastern

• Aug. 29 (Sat): 6 p.m. vs. Virginia University of Lynchburg
• Sept. 5 (Sat): 8 p.m. at Maryland
• Sept. 12 (Sat): 6 p.m. vs. Bryant*
• Sept. 19 (Sat): 4 p.m. at Norfolk State
• Sept. 26 (Sat): 6 p.m. vs. Campbell*
• Oct. 3 (Sat): 3 p.m. vs. Howard (Washington, D.C.)
• Oct. 17 (Sat): Noon at Sacred Heart*
• Oct. 24 (Sat): 2 p.m. vs. Monmouth*
• Oct. 31 (Sat): 1 p.m. at Towson*
• Nov. 7 (Sat): 2 p.m. at Elon*
• Nov. 14 (Sat): 1 p.m. vs. N.C. A&T*
• Nov. 21 (Sat): Noon at Stony Brook*

*CAA games

Predicted Order Of Finish For CAA Teams In 2026

1. Rhode Island (12 first-place votes), 144
2. Monmouth, 119
3. Elon, 115
4. New Hampshire, 106
5. Stony Brook (1 first-place vote), 105
6. Towson, 93
7. Maine, 88
8. Campbell, 56
9. Bryant, 50
10. Sacred Heart, 49
11. UAlbany, 35
12. North Carolina A&T, 28
13. Hampton, 26

*Villanova and William & Mary left the CAA for the Patriot League, and Sacred Heart joins the CAA for the 2026 season. 

Order Of Finish For CAA Teams In 2025

CAA (Overall)

• Rhode Island: 8-0 (11-3)
• Villanova: 7-1 (12-3)
• New Hampshire: 6-2 (8-5)
• Monmouth: 6-2 (9-3)
• William & Mary: 6-2 (7-5)
• Maine: 5-3 (6-6)
• Elon: 4-4 (6-6)
• Stony Brook: 4-4 (6-6)
• Towson: 4-4 (6-6)
• Campbell: 2-6 (2-10)
• North Carolina A&T: 2-6 (2-10)
• Bryant: 1-7 (3-9)
• UAlbany: 1-7 (2-10)
• Hampton: 0-8 (2-10)

Final AFCA Division I FCS Coaches Poll For 2025 Season

1. Montana St. (14-2)
2. Illinois St. (12-5)
3. Montana (13-2)
4. Villanova (12-3)
5. North Dakota St. (12-1)
6. Tarleton St. (12-2)
7. Stephen F. Austin (11-3)
8. UC Davis (9-4)
9. Lehigh (12-1)
10. Rhode Island (11-3)
11. South Dakota (10-5)
12. ACU (9-5)
13. Yale (9-3)
14. South Dakota St. (9-5)
15. Tennessee Tech (11-2)
16. North Dakota (8-6)
17. Youngstown St. (8-5)
18. Mercer (9-3)
19. Southeastern Louisiana (9-4)
20. Monmouth (N.J.) (9-3)
21. Lamar (8-5)
22. Jackson St. (9-3)
23. Harvard (9-2)
24. West Georgia (8-3)
25. South Carolina St. (10-3)

Dropped Out: Southern Illinois (25)

Others Receiving Votes: New Hampshire, 35; Lafayette, 30; Southern Illinois, 29; Drake, 20; UT Rio Grande Valley, 20; Prairie View A&M, 16; Central Connecticut St., 15; Richmond, 15; Alabama St., 10; Presbyterian, 10; Southern Utah, 5; Austin Peay, 2.

Some Things To Know About FCS Football

The FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) is the second tier of NCAA Division I football, with the top tier being the FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision). 

While the FBS determines its national champion through a 12-team, committee-selected College Football Playoff, the FCS Championship includes 24 teams.

The FCS conference champions automatically qualify for the playoffs, and the remaining spots are filled via at-large selection. 

This season, there will be 128 programs across 13 conferences. The regular season will begin in late August, and the playoffs will get underway at the end of November. 

Who Won The Each Football National Championship For The 2025-2026 Season?

• Division I FBS – Indiana def. Miami, 27-21
• Division I FCS – Montana State def. Illinois State 35-34 (OT)
• Division II – Ferris State def. Harding, 42-21
• Division III – University of Wisconsin-River Falls def. North Central (Ill.), 24-14

When Do The 2026 NCAA Division I FCS Playoffs Start?

The first round of the 2026 NCAA FCS Playoffs will be Nov. 28.

The format includes 24 teams and five rounds of play – first round, second round, quarterfinals, semifinals and the championship game. Everything through the semifinals will be played at the site of the participating schools.

Round 2 is set for Dec. 5, the quarterfinals will be held Dec. 11 (one game) and Dec. 12 (three games) and the semifinals will take place Dec. 19.

The 2026 FCS national championship will be determined Jan. 11, 2027, at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. Music City first hosted the title tilt in 2025 after 15 consecutive visits to Frisco, Texas.

Every game will be broadcast live on the ESPN family of networks. 

How Do The FCS Playoffs Work?

The 24 FCS teams that advance to the playoffs are situated into a single-elimination bracket.

The top 16 teams are seeded, with the first eight earning byes into the second round. Seeds 9-16 must play in the opening round of action, but they get to play host, as do the higher seeds in each game through the semifinals.

The two semifinal winners then make the trip to Nashville to play for the national championship.

In 2025, Montana State defeated Illinois State 35-34 in overtime to claim the trophy. 

Since 2011, North Dakota State had been dominating the FCS landscape, winning 10 national titles, but the Bison have now moved to a bigger pasture – the FBS level as part of the Mountain West Conference.

Braden Davis Is A Human Highlight Reel For Hampton Football

Watch these quarterback highlights for Hampton football’s Braden Davis against Elon in 2025.

Elon won 41-20.

Archived Footage On FloCollege

Video footage from all games will be archived and stored in a video library for FloCollege subscribers to watch for the duration of their subscriptions.

Watch The 2026 College Football Season On FloCollege

FloCollege is the home of the best FCS, Division II and Division III football action all season long. 

Don’t miss the latest college football action by bookmarking the FloCollege schedule page for the latest games. 

Join The College Football Conversation

• Follow us on Twitter @FloCollegeFB
• Follow us on Instagram @FloCollegeFootball
• Follow us on TikTok @FloCollegeFootball
• Watch us on YouTube
• Like us on Facebook