The 1900 Navy Midshipmen football team represented the United States Naval Academy (USNA) as an independent during the 1900 American college football season. The team was coached by Garrett Cochran, who was in his second year as head coach. Home games were played on the Academy’s campus, primarily at Worden Field.
Season overview
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Year | 190 0 |
| Team | Navy Midshipmen |
| Sport | Football |
| Conference | Independent |
| Head coach | Garrett Cochran (2nd season) |
| Team captain | Insufficient Encyclopedic Information |
| Stadium | Worden Field |
| Record | 6–3* |
*The overall win–loss record of 6–3 reflects the results documented in contemporary newspaper accounts and the USNA athletic archives. Where sources differ, the 6–3 tally is the most commonly reported figure.
Notable games
- Versus Lehigh – Navy secured a victory, continuing a competitive series with the Lehigh Engineers.
- Versus Penn – The Midshipmen faced the University of Pennsylvania Quakers, a dominant program of the era; the outcome was a loss for Navy.
- Versus Army – The annual Army–Navy Game was played on November 24, 1900, at the Polo Grounds in New York City. Navy was defeated, extending Army’s winning streak in the rivalry at that time.
Historical context
The 1900 season fell within a period of rapid development for college football, with evolving rules and increasing popularity. Navy’s schedule included a mixture of regional opponents and traditional service academy rivals. Coach Garrett Cochran, a former Princeton star, emphasized disciplined play and physical conditioning, reflecting the Naval Academy’s broader emphasis on military preparedness.
Legacy
While the 1900 squad did not achieve a championship, it contributed to the growing tradition of Navy football, laying groundwork for future successes. The team’s performance under Cochran helped solidify coaching strategies that would influence the Academy’s football program in the ensuing decades.
