It was only a few years ago that Sam Houston State football was the absolute king of the mountain. You remember it. The spring of 2021. Eric Schmid escapes a collapsing pocket, heaves a pass to Ife Adeyi, and Huntsville explodes as the Bearkats claim their first-ever FCS National Championship. It was the kind of moment that felt like the beginning of a dynasty.
But honestly? College football moves fast. Really fast.
Since that rainy day in Frisco, the program hasn't just changed its schedule; it has changed its entire identity. They swapped the Southland for the WAC, then ditched the WAC before the ink was even dry to join Conference USA. They traded bus rides to Lake Charles for flights to Florida and Hawaii. It’s been a whirlwind. And if you’ve looked at the scoreboard lately, you know the transition hasn't been all sunshine and orange pom-poms.
The Reality of the FBS Jump
Most fans think moving up to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) is just about bigger checks and better TV slots. It is. But it’s also a brutal wake-up call.
In their inaugural FBS season in 2023, the Bearkats went 3-9. Then, 2024 brought a massive glimmer of hope—a 10-3 record and a bowl win in the New Orleans Bowl. People started saying Sam Houston was the next James Madison or Liberty. They were the "it" program of Texas.
Then the floor fell out.
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K.C. Keeler, the architect of the modern Bearkat era and the man with more FCS playoff wins than anyone in history, took the Temple job in late 2024. Losing a coach of that stature is like losing the engine of a car while you're going 80 mph on I-45.
Enter Phil Longo. Known for his "Air Raid" variations and high-octane offenses at North Carolina and Wisconsin, Longo was supposed to modernize the Bearkat attack. Instead, the 2025 season turned into a nightmare. A 2-10 record. A defense that gave up nearly 38 points a game. It was a staggering collapse for a fan base used to winning ten games a year.
Why 2025 Felt So Different
If you watched the games at Shell Energy Stadium last year—remember, they were displaced from Huntsville due to massive renovations at Bowers Stadium—it just felt off.
- The Quarterback Carousel: Hunter Watson, Landyn Locke, and Mabrey Mettauer all took snaps. Nobody could seize the job. When your leading passer has five touchdowns and four interceptions over seven games, you aren't winning many games in C-USA.
- The Defensive Leak: Allowing 454 points in 12 games is basically an open invitation for opponents to score. They surrendered 55 to Texas (expected) but also 56 to FIU and 55 to Louisiana Tech.
- The "Home" Disadvantage: Playing 70 miles away in Houston while Bowers Stadium was a construction zone killed the atmosphere. Students didn't travel in the same numbers. The "Eat 'em Up Kats" energy was muffled by the empty seats of a pro-sized soccer stadium.
What's Actually Happening at Bowers Stadium
Despite the 2-10 record, the university isn't backing down. You don't spend $60 million on a renovation if you plan on being a doormat.
The new Bowers Stadium, set to fully debut for the 2026 season, is a game-changer. We're talking about a five-level press box that looks more like something you’d see at an SEC school than a mid-major. It’s got 12 luxury suites and a massive club level. This isn't just about somewhere for the media to sit; it’s a revenue engine.
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Jason Barfield, the school’s Director of Broadcasting, has been vocal about how this setup changes things. The old press box was built in 1986. It was literally falling apart. The new one is "broadcast-friendly," meaning ESPN can roll in their big trucks without a headache. Better facilities equal better TV slots, which equals more recruiting eyes.
Is Phil Longo the Right Fit?
This is the question everyone in Huntsville is whispering. Longo is a brilliant offensive mind, but the transition from Keeler’s "hard-nosed, win-at-all-costs" culture to an Air Raid system has been rocky.
Last year, the offense averaged only 17.8 points per game. That’s 127th out of 136 FBS teams. For an offensive guru, those numbers are an eyesore.
However, there is some context to consider. The roster Longo inherited was built for a different style of play. He spent most of the 2025 season trying to fit square pegs into round holes. With a full recruiting cycle and the transfer portal, 2026 is the real litmus test. If the Bearkats are still struggling to score 20 points a game by October, the seat under Longo is going to get very, very warm.
The "Rivalry" Problem
One thing that has sucked the soul out of Sam Houston State football recently is the death of the Battle of the Piney Woods.
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For decades, the game against Stephen F. Austin at NRG Stadium was the highlight of the year. Now? SFA is back in the Southland, and Sam Houston is in C-USA. They don't play. The "rivalry" is dormant. In its place, the Bearkats are trying to manufacture sparks with UTEP and Louisiana Tech. It’s just not the same.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season
If you're a fan or a bettor looking at this program, here is what you need to watch for as the 2026 season kicks off:
Watch the Quarterback Battle Early
Mabrey Mettauer has the pedigree, but Hunter Watson has the experience. If Longo names a starter and sticks with them through the first three games, it's a sign of stability. If they're still rotating in Week 4, expect another losing season.
Check the Transfer Defensive Backs
The Bearkats were torched in the secondary last year. Look at the post-spring roster additions. If they didn't land at least two veteran FBS-level corners, the 3-3-5 defense will continue to struggle against the pass-heavy offenses of C-USA.
The "Bowers Boost"
Keep an eye on the home opener. The return to Huntsville is a psychological reset. If the Bearkats can turn Bowers back into a fortress, they’ll overperform their win totals.
Early Season Schedule
The Bearkats need to find confidence early. Last year’s brutal start—WKU, UNLV, Hawaii, and Texas—broke their spirit before October. A softer non-conference slate is essential for Longo to keep the locker room.
Sam Houston State football is in the most vulnerable position it has been in for twenty years. The jump to the FBS is a climb, not a leap, and right now, the Bearkats are still looking for their footing on the mountain.