1980
Jimmye Laycock Era Begins
Laycock takes over as head coach and builds a 39-year dynasty
Program outlook
Program outlook
William & Mary has produced three NFL head coaches (Mike Tomlin, Sean McDermott, Dan Quinn) and a 39-year dynasty under Jimmye Laycock. Head coach Mike London took the Tribe to a No. 10 ranking in 2024—and now the program has moved to the Patriot League, 3-5 through eight games.
Since Oct 28: L 0-37 at Colgate. 3-6 this season.
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Sean McDermott, another Tribe quarterback, is the Buffalo Bills head coach. Dan Quinn, a defensive coordinator on Laycock's staff, is the Atlanta Falcons head coach. No other FCS program can claim three sitting NFL head coaches.
When Laycock retired after 2018, the question was whether the program's winning culture would survive. Mike London, hired in 2019, answered that question decisively. In 2024, he led the Tribe to a No. 10 national ranking—the fourth top-25 finish in five years. The 2025 season saw William & Mary go 7–5 overall, 6–2 in the CAA, tied for third place. Now comes the next chapter: the Tribe will leave the CAA for the Patriot League in 2026, joining historic rivals Richmond and Villanova in a new conference home.
The program faces a transition that tests the durability of its culture. Can Mike London build a Patriot League power the way Laycock defined the CAA era? Can the formula that produced Tomlin, McDermott, and Quinn sustain itself across conference realignment? The 2026 season will tell whether the Tribe's winning DNA is rooted in the institution or dependent on the conference.
The Patriot League transition opened unevenly: William & Mary is 2-2, beating Villanova on the road and Delaware State at home before losing to Lehigh and then, at home, to Fordham 52-27 on September 19 as 15.5-point favorites.
Since then the Tribe lost 62-7 at Duke on September 26 and 41-14 at home to Holy Cross on October 3, as 6-point favorites, before beating North Carolina Central 17-14 on October 10. William & Mary is 3-4.
Update (Oct. 28, 2026): William & Mary is 3-5. Since then it lost 28-27 to Georgetown on Oct. 24, as a 6-point favorite.
On the field
Character-driven, discipline-first football. William & Mary recruits and develops high-integrity players and teaches them to execute with preparation-over-talent. The program's brand is built on efficient, respectful football that wins through execution and out-discipline. It's the engine that turned Jimmye Laycock into a legend and that continues under Mike London: a machine that develops winning leaders, from coaches to players.
What this program never forgets
Most weeks vanish. These didn’t.
2001 Villanova Upset
W&M defeats No. 15 Villanova 47–44 at home
2018 Laycock Retirement
End of 39-year era; succession test begins
2024 No. 10 National Ranking
Mike London's team reaches No. 10 in national polls
2025 CAA Season
7–5 regular season, 6–2 CAA
Moment of the year · 2026
Won 35-32 at Villanova
Week 1 of 2026. An upset win. It turned on one snap in Q4 — Max Lipinski, a 69-point win-probability swing.
2023–2025
William & Mary has sent 2 players to the NFL Draft since 2023.
Steady. Consistent FCS presence on draft boards.
2
picks · last 5 drafts
#99
Charles Grant
Offensive Tackle · 2025 · 
Las Vegas Raiders
Las Vegas Raiders
#152
Colby Sorsdal
Offensive Tackle · 2023 · 
Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
Players drafted: 23the talent factory →
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Conference
Patriot standing · 2026
9th in the Patriot
William & Mary is 9th of 10 in the Patriot at 1-5. The path to the title is steep — the focus is on playoff positioning and rivalry wins.
| # | Program | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lehigh | 5-1 |
| 2 | Colgate | 4-2 |
| 3 | Holy Cross | 4-2 |
| 4 | Richmond | 4-2 |
| 5 | Villanova | 4-2 |
| 6 | Georgetown | 3-2 |
| 7 | Lafayette | 2-3 |
| 8 | Fordham | 2-4 |
| 9 | William & Mary | 1-5 |
| 10 | Bucknell | 0-6 |
Coaching history
Coaching history
- Lou Holtz departs
- Hired Lou Holtz
- Marv Levy departs
- Hired Marv Levy
- Marvin Bass departs
- Hired Marvin Bass
- Carl Voyles departs
- Hired Carl Voyles
Gameday customs
Rituals
Three gameday rituals — the ones outsiders never quite catch.
Jimmye Laycock’s Legacy
since 1980
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Jimmye Laycock coached William & Mary from 1980 to 2018, compiling 249 wins over 39 seasons—the third-longest continuous head coaching tenure in NCAA Division I history. The Jimmye Laycock Football Center, opened in 2008 adjacent to Zable Stadium, stands as the program's architectural monument to his tenure.
The Pipeline to the NFL
since 1995
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William & Mary has produced three NFL head coaches: Mike Tomlin (WR, 1990–1994, Pittsburgh Steelers 2007–2025, never had a losing season), Sean McDermott (QB, Buffalo Bills since 2017), and Dan Quinn (defensive coordinator 1994, now Atlanta Falcons head coach). The program is a proving ground for character-driven leadership and player development.
Zable Stadium Tradition
since 1981
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Zable Stadium, built in 1935 (originally Cary Field) and home to a capacity crowd of around 12,700, is the heart of William & Mary football.
The Griffin Era
since 2010
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In 2010, William & Mary adopted the griffin—a mythical creature with an eagle's head and lion's body—as its official mascot. The choice reflected the program's evolution from the 'Indians' (1916–mid-1980s) to the 'Tribe.' The griffin embodies dual strength: the soaring ambition of an eagle and the grounded power of a lion.
Cultural identity
Postseason games
Recent postseason (1970): 0-1
Most recent: 1970 Tangerine Bowl — loss 40-12. Last 5 postseason: 0-1.
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