What Is 2013 James Madison Dukes football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2013 James Madison Dukes football team represented James Madison University in the NCAA Division I FCS season, finishing with a 7-5 overall record and a 5-3 mark in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA). They did not qualify for the FCS playoffs after a loss to Richmond in the regular-season finale.

Key Facts

The 2013 James Madison Dukes finished with a 7-5 overall record
They went 5-3 in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) conference play
Head coach Mickey Matthews led the team for the final time in 2013
The Dukes lost their final game to Richmond, missing FCS playoff qualification
James Madison played home games at Bridgeforth Stadium in Harrisonburg, VA

Overview

The 2013 James Madison Dukes football team competed in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) as a member of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA). Under the leadership of head coach Mickey Matthews, who retired after the season, the team aimed to return to postseason contention after missing the playoffs in 2012.

Despite a competitive season and several strong performances, the Dukes fell short of qualifying for the FCS playoffs. Their campaign concluded with a loss to the Richmond Spiders, which ultimately dashed their postseason hopes.

Record: The team finished the season with a 7-5 overall record and a 5-3 mark in CAA play, placing them in the middle of the conference standings.
Head Coach:Mickey Matthews coached his final season in 2013, stepping down after 15 years at the helm, during which he led JMU to an FCS national title in 2004.
Home Stadium: The Dukes played their home games at Bridgeforth Stadium in Harrisonburg, Virginia, which has a capacity of over 24,000.
Final Game: A 31-10 loss to Richmond on November 23, 2013, sealed their fate, preventing a playoff berth due to the head-to-head tiebreaker.
Defensive Performance: The defense allowed an average of 23.8 points per game, showing improvement but not enough to overcome key offensive shortcomings.

How It Works

The 2013 season marked a transitional year for James Madison football, both in terms of coaching and team performance. Understanding how the season unfolded requires examining key roles, strategies, and outcomes.

Head Coaching Change:Mickey Matthews announced his retirement in November 2013, ending a 15-year tenure. His departure paved the way for Mike Houston to take over in 2014.
Offensive Strategy: The Dukes relied on a balanced attack, averaging 27.1 points and 389.2 total yards per game, with a mix of run and pass plays.
Defensive Scheme: The team utilized a 4-2-5 base defense, focusing on speed and flexibility, but struggled at times against stronger CAA opponents.
Key Players: Quarterback Brandon Doman started most games, throwing for 1,847 yards and 11 touchdowns, while RB Julius Thomas added 703 rushing yards.
Recruiting Impact: The 2013 recruiting class included several future contributors, laying groundwork for JMU’s later success under new leadership.
Conference Competition: The CAA is one of the toughest FCS conferences; JMU’s 5-3 record reflected their competitiveness but not elite status that year.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2013 season can be better understood by comparing it to previous and subsequent years in terms of records, coaching, and playoff appearances.

Season	Overall Record	CAA Record	Playoff Result	Head Coach
2011	8-4	5-3	Did not qualify	Mickey Matthews
2012	5-6	3-5	Did not qualify	Mickey Matthews
2013	7-5	5-3	Did not qualify	Mickey Matthews
2014	7-4	5-3	Did not qualify	Mike Houston
2015	8-4	5-3	Quarterfinals	Mike Houston

This table illustrates that while the 2013 team showed improvement over 2012, it was not until 2015 that JMU returned to the FCS playoffs. The 2013 season served as a bridge between eras, maintaining competitiveness but failing to break through.

Why It Matters

The 2013 James Madison Dukes football season is significant as a transitional chapter in the program’s history. It marked the end of an era with Mickey Matthews’ retirement and set the stage for future success under new leadership.

End of an Era:Mickey Matthews retired after 15 seasons, leaving a legacy that included a national championship and over 100 wins.
Foundation for Growth: The 2013 season helped identify roster strengths and weaknesses, guiding recruiting and development in the coming years.
Coaching Transition: The shift to Mike Houston in 2014 brought a new offensive philosophy and renewed energy to the program.
Competitive Consistency: Despite missing playoffs, a 7-5 record showed JMU remained competitive in a tough FCS conference.
Program Momentum: The team’s performance kept fan interest high, supporting continued stadium improvements and fundraising.
Future Success: By 2015, JMU returned to the FCS playoffs, and by 2016, they reached the national championship game, building on 2013’s foundation.

The 2013 season may not have ended with a playoff berth, but it played a crucial role in the evolution of James Madison football into a national FCS power in the following years.