What Is 2004 Richmond Spiders football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2004 Richmond Spiders football team represented the University of Richmond in the NCAA Division I-AA football season, finishing with a 5–6 overall record under head coach Mike London. They competed in the Atlantic 10 Conference, where they posted a 4–4 conference record.

Key Facts

The 2004 Richmond Spiders finished with a 5–6 overall record
Head coach Mike London was in his first season leading the team
They played in the Atlantic 10 Conference with a 4–4 conference record
The team scored 238 total points, averaging 21.6 points per game
Their home games were played at UR Stadium in Richmond, Virginia

Overview

The 2004 Richmond Spiders football team represented the University of Richmond during the 2004 NCAA Division I-AA football season. Led by first-year head coach Mike London, the team competed in the Atlantic 10 Conference and played their home games at UR Stadium in Richmond, Virginia.

The Spiders experienced a rebuilding year, finishing the season with a losing record but showing signs of improvement under new leadership. Despite missing the playoffs, the team laid the foundation for future success in the mid-2000s. The offense averaged just over 21 points per game, while the defense struggled at times against conference opponents.

Record: The Spiders finished the 2004 season with a 5–6 overall record, marking a slight improvement from previous years under new leadership.
Conference: They competed in the Atlantic 10 Conference, posting a 4–4 record and finishing in the middle of the conference standings.
Head coach: Mike London began his first season as head coach in 2004, bringing a renewed focus on discipline and team culture.
Scoring: The team scored 238 total points across 11 games, averaging 21.6 points per game, ranking them mid-tier in the conference.
Home stadium: All home games were played at UR Stadium, a 8,388-seat venue located on the University of Richmond campus.

Season Performance

The 2004 campaign was defined by close games and a transitional phase under new coaching leadership. The Spiders won three of their first five games but struggled in the second half of the season, losing four of their final six matchups.

Early wins: The Spiders opened the season with a 24–21 victory over Gardner-Webb, showing promise in Mike London’s debut as head coach.
Key loss: A 24–17 defeat to eventual conference champion New Hampshire highlighted the gap between Richmond and the top tier of the league.
Offensive leader: Quarterback Josh Vaughan threw for 1,387 yards and 9 touchdowns, leading the team in passing despite limited support.
Defensive effort: Linebacker Jeff Poole recorded 107 total tackles, the highest on the team, anchoring a defense that improved as the season progressed.
Home record: Richmond went 3–2 at UR Stadium, winning key games against Hofstra and Rhode Island to stay competitive in the standings.
Rivalry game: The Spiders lost 27–24 to in-state rival William & Mary, a defeat that eliminated playoff hopes late in the season.

Comparison at a Glance

The following table compares the 2004 Richmond Spiders’ performance to key conference rivals and the previous season:

Team	Year	Overall Record	Conference Record	Points Scored
Richmond Spiders	2004	5–6	4–4	238
New Hampshire	2004	11–3	7–1	386
William & Mary	2004	6–5	5–3	273
Richmond Spiders	2003	3–8	2–6	182
Delaware	2004	7–4	5–3	301

The 2004 season marked a clear step forward from the 3–8 record in 2003, showing improvement in both overall wins and offensive production. While they still trailed behind powerhouses like New Hampshire, the team demonstrated progress under first-year coach Mike London. The increase in points scored and better conference record indicated a rebuilding phase was underway, setting the stage for stronger seasons later in the decade.

Why It Matters

The 2004 season was a transitional but pivotal year in Richmond football history, marking the beginning of a new era under Mike London. Though the team did not achieve postseason success, the foundation laid that year contributed to future competitiveness.

Coaching legacy: Mike London’s first season set the tone for future development, eventually leading to a national championship in 2008.
Player development: Young players gained valuable experience in 2004, many of whom became key contributors in later successful seasons.
Program momentum: The improved record from 2003 to 2004 signaled positive change, helping boost recruiting and fan engagement.
Conference competitiveness: Richmond’s 4–4 conference record showed they could compete with mid-tier Atlantic 10 teams on a consistent basis.
Stadium atmosphere: Home games at UR Stadium maintained strong local support, contributing to a growing football culture on campus.
Historical context: The 2004 season is remembered as the starting point of a turnaround that culminated in a Division I-AA national title just four years later.

While not a championship-caliber season, the 2004 Richmond Spiders played a crucial role in the long-term success of the program. Their modest record belied the importance of the changes taking place, both on and off the field, that would soon elevate the team to national prominence.