Since the Sun Belt began sponsoring football in 2001, a few programs have risen to national prominence, producing seasons that not only dominated the conference but also turned heads across the college football landscape.
Programs like Appalachian State, Louisiana, Troy, and Coastal Carolina have each authored standout campaigns that showcased the Sun Belt’s growing depth and competitiveness.
Whether through high-powered offenses, tenacious defenses, or statement wins against opponents from conferences like the ACC and SEC, these teams helped define what success looks like in the modern era of Sun Belt football.
Appalachian State (2019)
Under first-year head coach Eliah Drinkwitz, Appalachian State posted a 13-1 record and a .929 winning percentage—the best in school history since winning three straight FCS titles from 2005 to 2007.
The Mountaineers outscored opponents by an average of 18.8 points per game. They led the Sun Belt Conference in scoring offense and ranked second in scoring defense. Their 543 points also broke Arkansas State’s conference record set in 2015.
Led by standout running back Darrynton Evans—who averaged 105.7 rushing yards per game and scored 23 total touchdowns—and quarterback Zac Thomas, the offense proved explosive and efficient.
Defensively, Jordan Fehr and Gaither Davis each topped 100 tackles, while Shaun Jolly tied for the league lead with five interceptions.
Ahem … App State’s 6️⃣ defensive TDs in 2019 tied for first place nationally. #GoApp https://t.co/656GSYsPwS pic.twitter.com/kM8vX3mM7P
— App State Football (@AppState_FB) August 17, 2020
The Mountaineers recorded signature road wins against North Carolina, 34-31, and South Carolina,20-15. They also claimed the Sun Belt championship over Louisiana and beat UAB in the New Orleans Bowl. That success had the program ranked No. 20 in the final College Football Playoff rankings of the season.
Louisiana (2021)
In his fourth and final season before taking the head coaching job at Florida, Billy Napier led Louisiana to a 13-1 record. The Ragin’ Cajuns finished with a .929 winning percentage—identical to Appalachian State’s mark in 2019.
The Ragin’ Cajuns were the only team in the Sun Belt during the 2021 season to allow fewer than 20 points per game, giving up just 18.5. Their pass defense also led the conference, allowing 190.1 yards per game.
Offensively, quarterback Levi Lewis threw for nearly 3,000 yards and 20 touchdowns, while Chris Smith and freshman Montrell Johnson Jr. combined for over 1,400 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns.
📈 Levis Lewis has passed Terrance Broadway for second all-time in career passing yards.#cULture | #GeauxCajuns pic.twitter.com/OLgesEpbpF
— Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns® Football (@RaginCajunsFB) October 21, 2021
Louisiana ran the table in Sun Belt play, defeating Appalachian State twice—including a 24-16 win in the championship game—and beat Marshall 36-21 in the New Orleans Bowl. The Cajuns finished No. 23 in the final CFP rankings, securing back-to-back double-digit win seasons under Napier.
Coastal Carolina (2020)
In a year defined by disruption, Coastal Carolina emerged as one of college football’s biggest stories. The Chanticleers finished 11-1 (.917), won every Sun Belt game they played, and climbed to No. 12 in the final CFP rankings—the highest for a Sun Belt team at the time.
Quarterback Grayson McCall led the conference with 2,488 passing yards and 26 touchdowns, while CJ Marable topped the league in rushing scores (12). Wide receiver Javion Heiligh caught 10 touchdowns and nearly hit the 1,000-yard mark.
Coastal defeated No. 21 Louisiana in the regular season and made national headlines with a 22-17 win over No. 13 BYU, a game scheduled just two days in advance due to COVID-19 cancellations.
For the win! Ice in his veins❄️ @Massimo_Kicking
1st of 4 Highlights from Louisiana Lafayette#BEL1EVE | #STRIKETHESTONE pic.twitter.com/6xIhFgir6x
— Coastal Football (@CoastalFootball) May 19, 2021
Although the Sun Belt championship game was declared a no-contest, Coastal Carolina shared the title with Louisiana, which is covered in more detail later, before narrowly falling to Liberty in the Cure Bowl.
It was Coastal’s first postseason appearance since the 2015 FCS playoffs and the program’s first bowl game.
Louisiana (2020)
A year before their record-tying season, the Ragin’ Cajuns went 10-1 (.909) under Napier, capturing a share of the Sun Belt title. They stunned No. 23 Iowa State 31-14 in Ames to open the season and added a road win over UAB.
For the first time ever… @TheFWAA has named 𝗟𝗢𝗨𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗔 Football as National Team of the Week after its 31-14 win at No. 23 Iowa State.
🤟 Let’s Geaux! #cULture | #GeauxCajuns pic.twitter.com/UH7YSj2C9U
— Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns® Football (@RaginCajunsFB) September 14, 2020
Running backs Elijah Mitchell and Trey Ragas combined for 16 touchdowns, while Levi Lewis continued his steady quarterback play. Louisiana led the conference in pass defense and allowed just 22 points per game.
Despite not getting a chance to win the Sun Belt championship outright, Louisiana bounced back and defeated UTSA, 31-24, in the First Responders Bowl. The Ragin’ Cajuns were ranked N0. 19 in the final CFP poll.
Troy (2023)
Though they finished unranked in the final CFP rankings, the 2023 Troy Trojans delivered one of the Sun Belt’s stingiest defensive campaigns on their way to a 12-2 record (.857).
Under second-year head coach Jon Sumrall, the Trojans led the conference in scoring defense, allowing 17.1 points per game, and in total defense, giving up 308.1 yards per game. It was the sixth-best defensive performance in Sun Belt history in terms of yards allowed.
Dec. 2, 2021 – Jon Sumrall Named Troy Head Coach
Dec. 2, 2023 – Troy Wins Back-To-Back Sun Belt Championships pic.twitter.com/wAxXrb0SuB
— Troy Trojans Football 8x⚔️ (@TroyTrojansFB) December 3, 2023
Running back Kimani Vidal paced the offense with 118.6 rushing yards per game, while defensive end Javon Solomon led the conference with 16 sacks. Troy rebounded from a loss to James Madison to win seven straight, culminating in a 49-23 blowout over App State in the Sun Belt championship.
Although they fell to Duke in the Birmingham Bowl, Troy’s blend of power running and suffocating defense etched their place among the conference’s elite seasons.
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