History of Florida Gators football in Timeline

The Florida Gators football program, representing the University of Florida, competes in the NCAA's Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Their home games are played at Steve Spurrier-Florida Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on the UF campus in Gainesville. The Gators have a rich history marked by national championships and SEC titles, establishing them as a prominent force in college football.

1906: Florida's football program established

In 1906, Florida's football program was established along with the university.

1906: Campus opened without sports facilities

In 1906, The University of Florida's campus did not include sports facilities when it opened, so UF's first several football and baseball squads played their home games at The Ballpark.

1906: First varsity football team

In 1906, the University of Florida fielded its first official varsity football team that fall.

1911: Gators nickname adopted

In 1911, the football team adopted the "Gators" nickname.

1911: Purchased bleachers and moved to University Athletic Field

In 1911, the school purchased the bleachers from the city and moved them to University Athletic Field.

1912: Joined the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association

In 1912, Florida joined the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association.

1912: Bacardi Bowl in Havana, Cuba

In 1912, the Bacardi Bowl was held in Havana, Cuba.

1915: Larger bleachers installed at Fleming Field

In 1915, larger bleachers were installed at Fleming Field, when the facility was renamed.

1922: Joined the Southern Conference

In 1922, Florida moved to the Southern Conference.

1928: Gators led the nation in scoring

In 1928, the Florida Gators football squad achieved an 8-1 record and led the nation in scoring.

1930: Florida Field opened

In 1930, 20,000 seat Florida Field opened south of Fleming Field.

1932: Joined the Southeastern Conference (SEC)

In 1932, Florida joined with other schools to establish the Southeastern Conference (SEC).

1932: SEC allowed leeway with conference schedules

In 1932, after its founding, the SEC allowed considerable leeway with conference schedules.

1932: Southeastern Conference was founded

In 1932, the Southeastern Conference was founded by thirteen member institutions.

1933: Charter member of the Southeastern Conference

In 1933, Florida's football program became a charter member of the Southeastern Conference, which began play.

1933: Southeastern Conference play began

In 1933, The Southeastern Conference began play, and for several decades, each member was free to arrange its own conference schedule.

1938: Annual rivalry with Miami began

In 1938, Florida began an annual rivalry with the University of Miami Hurricanes.

1945: Last game against non-collegiate opponent

Since 1945, the Florida Gators have not faced off against a non-collegiate opponent.

1947: Florida State established a football program

In 1947, Florida State (FSU) established a football program.

1958: First game against Florida State

In 1958, Florida first faced Florida State, beginning an annual series.

1966: Three original members left SEC

By 1966, three original members had left the Southeastern Conference.

1966: Steve Spurrier won Heisman Trophy

In 1966, Steve Spurrier became the first Heisman Trophy winner for the school.

1984: Named national champion by NCAA major selectors

In 1984, Florida was named national champion by NCAA-designated "major selectors".

1984: First SEC championship vacated

In 1984, the Gators won their first championship with a conference record of 5–0–1, but the title was vacated several months after the season by the SEC university presidents because of NCAA infractions.

1985: Named national champion by NCAA major selectors

In 1985, Florida was named national champion by NCAA-designated "major selectors".

1985: Finished atop SEC standings but ineligible

In 1985, the Florida Gators finished atop the SEC standings with a conference record of 5-1 but were ineligible for the championship due to NCAA probation.

1987: Annual rivalry with Miami ended

In 1987, the annual rivalry between Florida and the University of Miami Hurricanes ended.

1989: Florida Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

In 1989, Florida Field was extended to "Florida Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium" to honor UF benefactor Ben Hill Griffin.

1990: Steve Spurrier returned as head coach

In 1990, Steve Spurrier returned to his alma mater as the Gators' head coach.

1990: Finished atop SEC standings but ineligible

In 1990, the Florida Gators finished atop the SEC standings with a conference record of 6-1 but were ineligible for the championship due to NCAA probation.

1991: Consecutive bowl-game appearances began

In 1991, the Florida Gators began a streak of 22 consecutive bowl-game appearances.

1991: Won Southeastern Conference championship

In 1991, the Florida Gators won a Southeastern Conference championship.

1991: Won first official SEC championship

In 1991, the Gators won their first official SEC football championship.

1992: Tied with Georgia atop SEC east

During the 1992 season, Florida tied with Georgia atop the SEC east and played in the 1992 SEC Championship Game by virtue of its head-to-head victory.

1992: Six members added to SEC

From 1992 onwards, six members were added to the Southeastern Conference.

1992: Schedules standardized in SEC

In 1992, SEC schedules were further standardized when the conference expanded to twelve teams and established two divisions.

1992: "The Swamp" nickname coined

In 1992, Steve Spurrier coined the stadium's nickname of "The Swamp" early in his tenure as head football coach.

1992: Split into divisions and a championship game

In 1992, With the addition of Arkansas and South Carolina to the Southeastern Conference, the conference split into eastern and western divisions and a game between the division winners determined the SEC champion.

1993: Won Southeastern Conference championship

In 1993, the Florida Gators won a Southeastern Conference championship.

1994: Won Southeastern Conference championship

In 1994, the Florida Gators won a Southeastern Conference championship.

1995: Won Southeastern Conference championship

In 1995, the Florida Gators won a Southeastern Conference championship.

1996: National Championship

In 1996, Florida claims a national championship as they were ranked No. 1 in both the final AP and Coaches polls and were recognized as consensus national champions after winning a designated national championship bowl game.

1996: Won national championship and Heisman Trophy

In 1996, the Florida Gators won a national championship under coach Steve Spurrier, and Danny Wuerffel won the Heisman Trophy.

2000: Won Southeastern Conference championship

In 2000, the Florida Gators won a Southeastern Conference championship.

2003: Three-way tie in SEC East

In 2003, Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee ended the regular season in a 3-way tie in the SEC East, but Georgia advanced to the 2003 SEC Championship Game due to its higher BCS ranking.

2006: National Championship

In 2006, Florida claims a national championship as they were ranked No. 1 in both the final AP and Coaches polls and were recognized as consensus national champions after winning a designated national championship bowl game.

2007: Tim Tebow won Heisman Trophy

In 2007, Tim Tebow won the Heisman Trophy.

2008: National Championship

In 2008, Florida claims a national championship as they were ranked No. 1 in both the final AP and Coaches polls and were recognized as consensus national champions after winning a designated national championship bowl game.

2012: Gators conference slate established

From 2012, the Gators' annual conference slate consisted of several annual rivalries and a rotating Western Division opponent.

2012: Tied atop SEC East

In 2012, Florida and Georgia again tied atop the SEC East but Georgia advanced to the 2012 SEC Championship Game by virtue of its head-to-head victory.

2012: Streak of consecutive bowl-game appearances ended

In 2012, the Florida Gators' streak of 22 consecutive bowl-game appearances ended.

2016: Outside linebackers coach for South Carolina

In 2016, a coach became the Outside linebackers coach for South Carolina.

2016: Steve Spurrier-Florida Field

In 2016, the field was rechristened "Steve Spurrier-Florida Field" to honor Gator player and coach Steve Spurrier.

2020: Last appearance in SEC Championship Game

In 2020, Florida made its most recent appearance in the SEC Championship Game.

2020: Game against Florida State cancelled due to pandemic

In 2020, the annual game between Florida and Florida State was cancelled due to the pandemic.

2020: Game against Florida State interrupted

In 2020, the annual series between Florida and Florida State was interrupted due to the COVID-19-affected season.

2021: Offensive Assistant for New York Giants

In 2021, a coach was an Offensive Assistant for New York Giants.

2021: Outside linebackers coach for South Carolina

In 2021, a coach was the Outside linebackers coach for South Carolina.

2022: Wide receivers coach for FAU

In 2022, a coach became the wide receivers coach for FAU.

2023: Defensive coordinator for Auburn

In 2023, a coach became the Defensive coordinator for Auburn.

2023: Assistant secondary coach for Los Angeles Chargers

In 2023, a coach was assistant secondary coach for Los Angeles Chargers.

2023: End of conference slate

Until 2023, the Gators' annual conference slate consisted of several annual rivalries and a rotating Western Division opponent.

2024: SEC expanded to 16 teams

Beginning with the 2024 season, the SEC expanded to 16 teams, abolished divisions, and devised a new scheduling formula.

2024: Conference eliminated divisions

In 2024, With the additions of Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC, the conference eliminated divisions that year.

2024: SEC expanded and abolished divisions

In 2024, the SEC expanded to 16 schools and abolished divisions, keeping most annual rivalries for at least one season.

2024: Records as of the end of the season

Records as of the end of the 2024 season.

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