Scott Roussel 
11/10/2025 12:16:27 AM
Samford is turning the page on its all-time winningest coach.
Multiple sources tell FootballScoop that Samford officials have decided to move on from longtime head man Chris Hatcher, who holds the program record with 62 career wins atop the Bulldogs program.
And Hatcher guided Samford in 2022 to an absolutely sensational campaign in which the Bulldogs stormed through the Southern Conference 8-0, won 11 games overall and advanced to the FCS Playoffs quarterfinal round.
Since that powerhouse run, Samford has struggled in a new era of college football where FBS programs have frequently raided the Bulldogs’ roster.
The Bulldogs, just 1-9 this year with a SoCon win against VMI, with 6-5 and 4-7 marks in 2023-24 before this year’s fall.
Hatcher has been a quarterback whisperer, an offensive-minded innovator renowned throughout college football.
With more than 180 career wins as an NCAA head coach, Hatcher has been head coach at Valdosta State, Georgia Southern, Murray State and this 11-year run at Samford.
Hatcher, too, has proved to have a deft eye for talent; with former players having quality careers in the NFL and former assistants dot a number of Power Conference coaching rosters.
The Bulldogs have games remaining this month at Austin Peay and, in a seven-figure money game for the athletics program, at undefeated, College Football Playoff third-ranked Texas A&M.