2025 NAIA Football Preseason Coaches’ Poll
SEWARD, Neb. – For the first time since 2002, Concordia University, Nebraska Football will open a season with an NAIA top 25 ranking. In the 2025 NAIA Football Preseason Coaches’ Poll unveiled on Monday (Aug. 25), the Bulldogs checked in at No. 21. The national ranking comes on the heels of a 2024 campaign that saw Concordia post an 8-2 overall record.
Head Coach Patrick Daberkow enters his ninth season leading his alma mater. The Bulldogs have retooled offensively led by expected starting quarterback Gideon Stark. The ’24 season marked the winningest for Concordia Football since the 10-2 NAIA national quarterfinal year of 2001. Daberkow and company welcome back GPAC All-Conference honorees in defensive lineman Carson Fehlhafer, safety Daylon Henson, linebacker Grant Huss and wide receiver Adam Van Cleave.
The Bulldogs appeared in the NAIA top 25 in each of the final four coaches’ polls released during the 2024 season. They peaked at No. 17 on Nov. 17 and settled at No. 18 in the postseason poll. The No. 17 ranking is the highest for Concordia during Daberkow’s tenure. The 2001 GPAC championship squad vaulted all the way to No. 7 and ended the season with that ranking.
The Bulldogs will kick off their 2025 season on Saturday, Sept. 6 when Doane will visit Bulldog Stadium for a 7 p.m. CT kickoff. View the complete schedule HERE.
2024 NAIA coaches’ poll rankings:
Nov. 4 – 23rd
Nov. 11 – 20th
Nov. 17 – 17th
Jan. 6 – 18th