The Central Michigan Chippewas are a college football program in Division I FBS, representing Central Michigan University (CMU). CMU has the 30th highest overall winning percentage of programs playing in NCAA Division I. The Chippewas have played in six bowl games in the last nine years, most recently defeating Washington State in the 2021 Sun Bowl. CMU drew 60,624 fans in the 2007 Motor City Bowl. CMU has played a total of eighteen post-season games (conference championships and bowl games), winning seven. Conference affiliations Central Michigan has been a member of the following conferences. Independent (1896–1949) Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (1950–1969) Independent (1970–1974) Mid-American Conference (1975–present) Championships National championships The Chippewas won the 1974 NCAA Division II National Championship. Conference championships Central Michigan has won 16 conference championships including seven Mid-American Conference Championships. † Co-champions Division championships Central Michigan has won 5 division championships: † Co-champions Head coaches Many notable coaches have contributed to CMU's culture. Some include legendary "Wild" Bill Kelly who won seven conference championships in sixteen years and whom Kelly/Shorts Stadium is named after; national championship winning coach Roy Kramer who had a 72% winning percentage and never had a losing season in more than a decade; College Football Hall of Fame coach Herb Deromedi who is the winningest coach in MAC history and Brian Kelly and Butch Jones who combined for three MAC Championships in four years, four consecutive bowl appearance and top 25 finish in the nation. CMU head coaches through the 2022 season. † Interim Bowl games Central Michigan holds a 4–9 record in bowl games. Playoff appearances NCAA Division II playoffs The Chippewas made one appearance in the Division II playoffs, with a combined record of 3-0. Rivalries Western Michigan These archrivals first met in 1907 and have faced one another annually since 1943. Since the two schools are separated by a two-hour drive, the visiting team typically has a strong fan and student presence at the game. The winner of the game receives the Cannon Trophy. The outcome also helps determine the winner of the Michigan MAC Trophy, a trophy fought over between Michigan's three MAC football teams: the Chippewas, the Broncos, and the Eastern Michigan Eagles. WMU leads the series overall 51–39–2. Eastern Michigan The Chippewas and Eagles maintain a less prominent, but steady rivalry. CMU holds the series lead over EMU, leading 62–30–6. Traditions Kelly/Shorts game day experience Central Michigan