Chicago State Aiming for First FCS Season in 2026

Editor’s Note: On Tuesday, February 11, Chicago State announced it would begin the search for its first head coach with the goal of completing the process in the spring of 2025. CollegeAD originally reported in early February on CSU’s plan to hire a coach in the spring of 2025. The article has been updated to reflect the new information.

The Chicago State Cougars are hoping to field a football team by the 2026 season, according to CollegeAD. Chicago State is also planning to hire a coach in the spring of 2025.

CSU originally announced fundraising efforts in September 2023 but has not made any official announcements since then. Chicago State set a fundraising goal of $4 million to help get the FCS program off the ground hoping to play its first games by the start of the 2025 season.

Chicago State joined the Northeast Conference beginning with the 2024-25 academic year and its future football team would compete there with a full conference schedule by 2027. The NEC recently removed its football scholarship limit in November 2024 potentially allowing as many as 105 scholarships as allowed under the NCAA v. House settlement. The expectation is that most NEC schools will settle around 50 football scholarships.

The Northeast Conference has 8 football members: Central Connecticut State, Duquesne, Long Island, Mercyhurst, Robert Morris, Saint Francis (PA), Stonehill, and Wagner. The duo of Stonehill and Mercyhurst are in a reclassification period from NCAA Division II to Division I and won’t be eligible for the FCS playoffs until 2026 and 2028, respectively. Chicago State’s postseason eligibility status in its first FCS season is unclear but there is precedent for immediate eligibility. UTRGV is joining the FCS in 2025 as a new program and will be eligible for the Southland Conference championship and the FCS playoffs in its first year.

Photo Credit to Chicago State University