Richmond Spiders

6-3

Stature and coaches, 1936–1983

The program’s standing over time, with every coach’s tenure beneath it — read down to see who was there for each rise and fall.

Richmond is Regional Program today. Never reached Dynasty tier; Regional Program is its high, most recently in 1983.

1936: Regional Program1937: Regional Program1938: Regional Program1939: Regional Program1940: Regional Program1941: Regional Program1942: Regional Program1943: Regional Program1944: Regional Program1945: Regional Program1946: Regional Program1947: Regional Program1948: Regional Program1949: Regional Program1950: Regional Program1951: Regional Program1952: Regional Program1953: Regional Program1954: Regional Program1955: Regional Program1956: Regional Program1957: Regional Program1958: Regional Program1959: Regional Program1960: Regional Program1961: Regional Program1962: Regional Program1963: Regional Program1964: Regional Program1965: Regional Program1966: Regional Program1967: Regional Program1968: Regional Program1969: Regional Program1970: Regional Program1971: Regional Program1972: Regional Program1973: Regional Program1974: Regional Program1975: Regional Program1976: Regional Program1977: Regional Program1978: Regional Program1979: Regional Program1980: Regional Program1981: Regional Program1982: Regional Program1983: Regional Program194019601980
DynastyBlue BloodPower ProgramNational ProgramRegional Program
FBS medianbest: 1973program stature (★ = Dynasty-tier season)Glenn Thistlethwaite · 1936–1941ThistlethwaiteEdwin Merrick · 1951–1965Merrick194019601980

Every coach, tenure by tenure, on the coaching page →

What this program never forgets

Most weeks vanish. These didn’t.

2025

Patriot League Transition

Richmond joined the Patriot League as an associate member (other sports remain CAA), reuniting with William & Mary rivalry

Moment of the year · 2026

Won 35-14 vs Bucknell

Week 1 of 2026. A statement win, by 21 points.

Decisive margin

More in this tab

ConferenceWhere this team sits in this season's conference standings.

Patriot standing · 2026

4th in the Patriot

Richmond Spiders sits 4th of 10 in the Patriot at 4-2. Mid-conference — moves up or down depend on rivalry results and the late-season closing run.

#ProgramRecord
1Lehigh5-1
2Colgate4-2
3Holy Cross4-2
4Richmond4-2
5Villanova4-2
6Georgetown3-2
7Lafayette2-3
8Fordham2-4
9William & Mary1-5
10Bucknell0-6
Coaching historyCurrent head coach Edwin Merrick, hired 1951

Coaching history

  • Edwin Merrick departs53-87-6, 15 seasons
  • Hired Edwin Merrick1951
  • Glenn Thistlethwaite departs41-26-9, 8 seasons
  • Hired Glenn Thistlethwaite1934
  • Frank Dobson departs9-6-2, 2 seasons
  • Hired Frank Dobson1932
  • Frank Dobson departs18-22-3, 5 seasons
  • Hired Frank Dobson1921
Cultural identityWhat college football loses if this program didn't exist.
Postseason gamesLast 5 postseason games 1-3, 1-3 since 1971

Recent postseason (1971-2023): 1-3

Most recent: 2023 — loss 41-13 (away). Last 5 postseason: 1-3.

2023 L2023 W2015 L1971 L
CFB Zeitgeist “Go Spiders.”
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