Franklin & Marshall Diplomats football
| Franklin & Marshall Diplomats football | |
|---|---|
| First season | 1886 |
| Athletic director | Lauren Packer |
| Head coach | Michael Phelan 1st season, 9–2 (.818) |
| Location | Lancaster, Pennsylvania |
| Stadium | Shadek Stadium (capacity: 2,500) |
| Field | Tom Gilburg Field |
| NCAA division | Division III |
| Conference | Centennial |
| Nickname | Diplomats Blue and White Nevonians (historical) |
| Colors | Blue, white, and light blue |
| Bowl record | 10–6 (.625) |
| Conference championships | |
| 15 | |
| Conference division championships | |
| 7 | |
| Rivalries | Dickinson Red Devils Gettysburg Bullets Swarthmore Garnet Tide (historical) |
| Fight song | Down the Field |
| Mascot | Benjamin Franklin (historical) John Marshall (historical) |
| Website | Go Diplomats |
The Franklin & Marshall Diplomats football program represents Franklin & Marshall College in college football at the NCAA Division III level. The Diplomats have competed as members of the Centennial Conference since 1983 and play their home games at Shadek Stadium in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Michael Phelan has served as the team's head coach since 2025.
Franklin & Marshall football began in 1886 and played its first game on October 18, 1887. From 1889 to 1895, the program was coached by team captains. Alfred E. Bull was hired in 1896 as Franklin & Marshall's first professional coach. Originally known as the Nevonians, the program acquired the Diplomat nickname after a well-received game played against Fordham University in 1935.
Until the 2025 season, the Diplomats never appeared in the NCAA Division III Football Championship playoffs. However, under first year head coach Michael Phelan, the Diplomats upset #3 Johns Hopkins University to win the 2025 Centennial Conference championship and automatic bid to the playoffs. Additionally, the Diplomats have played in 15 NCAA Division III bowl games.