College Team Guide

Florida State Seminoles: History, National Titles & Facts

Florida State's modern football program began in 1947 and has won three national championships, in 1993, 1999 and 2013. Bobby Bowden coached the team from 1976 to 2009 and built it into a national power.

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Quick facts

Modern program began1947
StadiumDoak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee (opened 1950)
ConferenceACC (football since 1992)
Football national titles3 (1993, 1999, 2013)
Heisman Trophy winners3 (1993, 2000, 2013)
ACC football titles16 through the 2025 season

National championships

Florida State has won three football national championships. Its basketball team reached the NCAA final in 1972.

  • 1993 football: beat Nebraska 18–16 in the Orange Bowl
  • 1999 football: beat Virginia Tech 46–29 in the Sugar Bowl
  • 2013 football: beat Auburn 34–31 in the BCS title game
  • ACC football titles: 1992–2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2023
  • 1972 basketball: NCAA runner-up, lost to UCLA 81–76

Program history

  • 1947: Began its modern football program.
  • 1950: Opened Doak Campbell Stadium.
  • 1976: Hired Bobby Bowden, who coached 34 seasons and went 304–97–4 after NCAA-vacated wins.
  • 1987–2000: Won 10 or more games and finished in the AP top four for 14 straight seasons.
  • 1992: Began play in the ACC.
  • 1993: Won its first national title; Charlie Ward won the Heisman.
  • 2023: Went 13–1 and won the ACC, but was left out of the College Football Playoff.

Program record holders

Passing yards (football)Chris Weinke, 9,839 (1997–2000)
Rushing yards (football)Dalvin Cook, 4,464 (2014–2016)
Points (basketball)Bob Sura, 2,130 (1991–1995)

Retired and honored jerseys

  • 2Deion Sanders (football)
  • 5Jameis Winston (football)
  • 9Peter Warrick (football)
  • 10Derrick Brooks (football)
  • 16Chris Weinke (football)
  • 17Charlie Ward (football)
  • 25Fred Biletnikoff (football)
  • 27Terrell Buckley (football)
  • 28Warrick Dunn (football)
  • 34Ron Sellers (football)
  • 38Sebastian Janikowski (football)
  • 50Ron Simmons (football)
  • 55Marvin Jones (football)
  • 12Charlie Ward (basketball)
  • 13Dave Cowens (basketball)

College Football Hall of Famers

Bobby Bowden (coach), Ron Sellers, Fred Biletnikoff, Ron Simmons, Charlie Ward, Deion Sanders, Derrick Brooks, Terrell Buckley, Marvin Jones, Warrick Dunn, Peter Warrick (selected in January 2026).

Biggest rivalries

  • Florida: an in-state series first played in 1958.
  • Miami: first played in 1951; several games were decided by missed "Wide Right" field goals, in 1991, 1992, 2000 and the 2004 Orange Bowl.
  • Clemson: ACC rival; from 1999 to 2007 Bobby Bowden faced his son Tommy, Clemson's coach, in the "Bowden Bowl".

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Florida State Seminoles FAQ

How many national championships has Florida State won?

Three in football: 1993, 1999 and 2013.

Who are Florida State's Heisman Trophy winners?

Charlie Ward (1993), Chris Weinke (2000) and Jameis Winston (2013).

What was Bobby Bowden's record at Florida State?

304–97–4 from 1976 to 2009, after the NCAA vacated 12 wins.

Why was Florida State left out of the 2023 College Football Playoff?

The committee ranked the 13–0 ACC champions fifth. It said the team was different after quarterback Jordan Travis's season-ending injury.

When did Florida State join the ACC?

Its football team began ACC play in 1992.

Sources

Facts checked September 23, 2026. Live figures above come from ESPN.