What Is 2015 Maine Black Bears football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2015 Maine Black Bears football team represented the University of Maine in the NCAA Division I FCS football season. They finished with a 3-8 overall record under head coach Jack Cosgrove, who resigned after the season.

Key Facts

The 2015 Maine Black Bears finished with a 3-8 overall record
They were 2-6 in Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) play
Head coach Jack Cosgrove resigned after 15 seasons following the season
The team played home games at Alfond Stadium in Orono, Maine
Quarterback Marcus McNeill started 10 games and threw for 1,552 yards

Overview

The 2015 Maine Black Bears football team represented the University of Maine in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) as a member of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA). Competing in their 127th season of football, the Black Bears struggled to maintain consistency under long-time head coach Jack Cosgrove, who was in his final year leading the program.

Playing their home games at Alfond Stadium in Orono, the team faced a challenging schedule that included several ranked opponents. Despite flashes of offensive potential, defensive shortcomings and turnover issues contributed to a losing record, ultimately leading to a coaching transition at season's end.

Record: The team finished with a 3-8 overall record and a 2-6 mark in CAA play, placing them near the bottom of the conference standings.
Head Coach: Jack Cosgrove led the team for the final time in 2015, stepping down after 15 seasons with a 77-78 career record at Maine.
Home Stadium: The Black Bears played all home games at Alfond Stadium, a 8,419-seat venue located on the university's Orono campus.
Quarterback: Marcus McNeill started 10 games and passed for 1,552 yards with 11 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
Defensive Performance: The team allowed an average of 32.5 points per game, ranking among the bottom third of FCS teams in scoring defense.

Season Structure and Performance

The 2015 campaign followed the standard FCS schedule format, with a 11-game regular season and no postseason appearance. The Black Bears opened the season against non-conference opponents before entering a competitive CAA slate featuring several nationally ranked teams.

Early Season: Maine started 1-2, with a win over Duquesne and losses to Rhode Island and at home against Massachusetts.
CAA Play: The team struggled in conference, winning only two games—against Elon and Campbell—both by narrow margins.
Key Loss: A 42-14 defeat to No. 4 ranked James Madison highlighted the team’s defensive vulnerabilities against elite competition.
Offensive Output: Maine averaged 21.8 points per game, with the offense relying heavily on short passing and ground attacks.
Coaching Change: Jack Cosgrove announced his resignation in November, marking the end of a 15-year tenure and ushering in a new era under assistant Joe Harasymiak.
Player Development: Running back Jaivon Cobb emerged as a key contributor, rushing for 492 yards and three touchdowns in 11 games.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 2015 season to recent years reveals a decline in performance and competitiveness within the CAA. The table below outlines key metrics across three seasons.

Season	Overall Record	CAA Record	Points For	Points Against	Head Coach
2013	6-5	4-4	27.5 avg	25.8 avg	Jack Cosgrove
2014	4-7	3-5	23.1 avg	29.6 avg	Jack Cosgrove
2015	3-8	2-6	21.8 avg	32.5 avg	Jack Cosgrove
2016	4-7	3-5	24.3 avg	30.1 avg	Joe Harasymiak
2017	6-5	4-4	26.9 avg	26.2 avg	Joe Harasymiak

The 2015 season marked a low point in terms of defensive performance and conference success. While offensive production declined slightly from previous years, the largest drop was in points allowed, which rose sharply to 32.5 per game. This downward trend in competitiveness contributed to the decision to change leadership after the season.

Why It Matters

The 2015 season was a pivotal moment in the history of Maine Black Bears football, symbolizing the end of an era and the need for program revitalization. The coaching change that followed opened the door for modernization in recruiting, training, and game strategy.

Program Transition: Jack Cosgrove’s resignation after 15 seasons marked the longest tenure in program history and initiated a shift in leadership philosophy.
Recruiting Impact: The 2015 class laid groundwork for future improvement, with several players contributing into the 2017 and 2018 seasons.
Conference Competitiveness: The team’s struggles highlighted the growing gap between Maine and top CAA programs like James Madison and New Hampshire.
Fan Engagement: Declining win totals led to reduced attendance, prompting athletic department reviews of game-day experience and marketing.
Defensive Overhaul: The high points allowed per game underscored the need for a defensive scheme reset under new coaching staff.
Legacy: Though a losing season, 2015 served as a catalyst for change that contributed to improved records in 2017 and 2018.

Ultimately, the 2015 Maine Black Bears football season is remembered not for its wins, but for its role in prompting necessary evolution within the program. It stands as a transitional year that set the stage for future competitiveness in the FCS landscape.