Florida International Golden Panthers football

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Head Coach

To Be Announced

Home Stadium

FIU Stadium

Conference Affiliation

Division I-AA Independent (2002 - 2004)
Sun Belt Conference (2005 - Present)

Team Records

All-Time: 15-40
Bowl: 0-0-0

The Florida International Golden Panthers are a mid-major college football program located in Miami, Florida. The Golden Panthers began playing in 2002 and have had only one head coach, Don Strock; however, the program will have a new head coach in 2007. After competing their first three years as an NCAA Division I-AA independent, the Golden Panthers moved to Division I-A and the Sun Belt Conference.

[edit] Rivalry Games

[edit] 2006 Brawl with the Miami Hurricanes

Main article: Miami-FIU brawl

Timeline of brawl (left to right first row, followed by left to right second row): The extra point attempt before the brawl insued; the brawl originating immediately after the extra point attempt; the brawl near its peak; the referee declaring ejections and 15 yard penalty on kickoff

On October 14, 2006, FIU and the Miami Hurricanes met for the first time in what was supposed to be the beginning of an annual cross-town rivalry game. Nine minutes into the second half the two teams engaged in a brawl involving players from both schools, including one injured FIU player on crutches. The violence later spilled into the stands, where several spectators were arrested and later released without charges. On the field, police officers were hit with bottles from the stands.

31 players were later punished for the incident, including 13 Miami players and 18 FIU players. Two FIU players were kicked off the team.

Video of the brawl