The 2009 Lafayette Leopards football team represented Lafayette College in the 2009 NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) season. The Leopards competed as a member of the Patriot League and played their home games at Fisher Stadium in Easton, Pennsylvania.
Season overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Institution | Lafayette College |
| Conference | Patriot League (FCS) |
| Head coach | Frank Tavani (13th season) |
| Home stadium | Fisher Stadium |
| Overall record | 4 wins – 7 losses |
| Conference record | 2 wins – 4 losses (Patriot League) |
Key points
- The Leopards entered the season under head coach Frank Tavani, who had been leading the program since 1999.
- Lafayette’s 2009 schedule featured Patriot League matchups against Colgate, Holy Cross, Georgetown, Bucknell, Fordham, and Lehigh, as well as non‑conference games against teams such as Villanova and Delaware State.
- The team finished sixth in the eight‑team Patriot League standings.
- The Leopards’ victories came against non‑conference opponents and two conference foes; losses included defeats to league rivals Colgate, Holy Cross, Bucknell, and Lehigh.
- The season marked the first time since 2005 that Lafayette failed to secure a winning record.
Context within Lafayette football
The 2009 campaign followed a period of relative success for the program, including three consecutive seasons (2005–2007) with winning records. The decline in the 2009 season prompted discussions within the athletic department regarding coaching strategies and player development, though no official changes to the coaching staff were announced until after the subsequent season.
References
- Lafayette College Athletics official archives (football season results, 2009).
- Patriot League historical standings, 2009 season.
- NCAA Division I FCS records, 2009.
