What Is 2013 William & Mary Tribe football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2013 William & Mary Tribe football team finished with a 6-6 overall record and 4-4 in CAA play under head coach Jimmye Laycock, missing the FCS playoffs. Key players included quarterback Tommy McKall, running back Jonathan Grimes, and linebacker Aaron Talley.

Key Facts

The 2013 William & Mary Tribe football team had a 6-6 overall record
They competed in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) with a 4-4 conference record
Head coach Jimmye Laycock led the team in his 34th season
The team played home games at Zable Stadium in Williamsburg, Virginia
William & Mary did not qualify for the FCS playoffs in 2013

Overview

The 2013 William & Mary Tribe football season marked the program's 122nd year of competition and the 34th under head coach Jimmye Laycock. Competing in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), the Tribe played as members of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA), finishing with a balanced 6-6 overall record and 4-4 in conference play.

Despite a competitive season and several close games, William & Mary did not qualify for the FCS playoffs, missing postseason contention for the second consecutive year. The team showed resilience on defense and consistency in key offensive roles, but struggled with consistency in the second half of the season.

Final record: The Tribe ended the 2013 season with a 6-6 overall record, including a 4-4 mark in the highly competitive CAA, which featured multiple ranked teams.
Head coach:Jimmye Laycock served in his 34th season at the helm, making him one of the longest-tenured coaches in FCS football history at the time.
Home stadium: All home games were played at Zable Stadium, located in Williamsburg, Virginia, which has a seating capacity of approximately 12,000.
Offensive leader: Quarterback Tommy McKall started most games, throwing for 1,721 yards and 10 touchdowns with 9 interceptions over the season.
Defensive standout: Linebacker Aaron Talley led the team with 98 total tackles, including 52 solo stops, anchoring the Tribe’s defensive efforts throughout the year.

How It Works

The 2013 season followed the standard FCS college football structure, with William & Mary playing a 12-game regular season schedule against a mix of conference and non-conference opponents. The team’s performance was evaluated for postseason eligibility based on win-loss record, strength of schedule, and CAA standings.

Season Format: The FCS season consists of an 11- or 12-game regular season, with teams eligible for the 24-team playoff tournament if selected by the NCAA committee.
Conference Play: The CAA is one of the strongest FCS conferences; William & Mary’s 4-4 record placed them in the middle of a nine-team standings table.
Playoff Eligibility: Only teams with winning records and strong resumes are typically selected; William & Mary’s .500 record made them ineligible for the 2013 FCS playoffs.
Recruiting Impact: Mid-tier FCS programs like William & Mary rely on regional talent; the 2013 class included 23 signees, mostly from Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic.
Coaching Strategy: Laycock emphasized a balanced offense and disciplined defense, with an average time of possession of 31:45 per game during the 2013 season.
Player Development: The program focuses on academic and athletic growth; several 2013 players, like McKall, were named to CAA Academic Honor Roll.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2013 William & Mary Tribe compared to select CAA peers in key statistical categories:

Team	Overall Record	CAA Record	Points For	Points Against
William & Mary	6-6	4-4	278	281
New Hampshire	7-5	5-3	302	244
James Madison	6-5	5-3	267	229
Towson	7-5	5-3	289	258
Richmond	6-6	4-4	241	253

The Tribe ranked in the middle of the CAA defensively and offensively, scoring 278 points while allowing 281. Their point differential of -3 highlighted a lack of decisive victories, contributing to their playoff exclusion. Compared to similarly ranked teams like Richmond, William & Mary matched in record but fell short in key metrics like turnover margin and red zone efficiency.

Why It Matters

The 2013 season reflects a transitional period for the William & Mary football program, balancing tradition with the challenges of modern FCS competition. While not a banner year, it provided developmental experience for future leaders and maintained the program’s academic-athletic model.

Program Stability: Maintaining a consistent record under long-time coach Laycock demonstrated organizational stability despite playoff absences.
Player Development: Several underclassmen gained starting experience, including linebacker Aaron Talley, who became a multi-year starter.
Academic Emphasis: The team maintained a high graduation success rate, consistent with William & Mary’s status as a top public liberal arts university.
Recruiting Pipeline: The season helped solidify regional recruiting, with 17 of 23 2013 signees coming from Virginia high schools.
Competitive Benchmark: The .500 record served as a measuring stick for improvement, leading to a stronger 2014 campaign.
Historical Context: The 2013 season was part of a broader trend of mid-tier FCS performance, with William & Mary winning between 5 and 7 games in seven of the prior ten seasons.

Though not remembered as a standout year, the 2013 William & Mary Tribe football season contributed to the ongoing legacy of one of the South’s oldest college football programs, emphasizing development, discipline, and academic excellence.