The Florida International University (FIU) Panthers are getting ready for a new era in 2025. And boy, could they use a fresh start. In 2024, the Panthers ended the season with a 4-8 overall record, winning just three of their eight Conference USA games.
They couldn’t buy a win on the road and ended 0-6. However, their record at home stood at 4-2. After a season full of stops and stumbles and just one win to close out the year, the Panthers are now looking to hit reset under new head coach Willie Simmons. With change, of course, comes hope.
List of 2025 FIU Panthers Opponents
Now things are not going to be easy, but 2025 for the FIU Pathers is all about a comeback. With head coach Willie Simmons, a man with a history of winning rivalry games, the Panthers are in good hands. Simmons comes to FIU with a reputation and a record.
Only 143 days till the @FIUFootball home opener, but who’s counting 🤷♂️
📸 @bowlerobowl 𝙁𝙧𝙖𝙢𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙒𝙚𝙚𝙠 pic.twitter.com/JZYj1FB9KI
— FIU Athletics (@FIUAthletics) April 8, 2025
While Simmons coached at Florida A&M, he went 4-2 against the Wildcats. And that includes a streak of four straight wins. So no doubt, he knows how to win when it counts. Now, the only thing that remains to be seen is if he can do it at FIU, too.
To add on, Willie Simmons’ debut will be historic. If he can pull off a win against Bethune-Cookman, he’ll become only the third coach in FIU history to start his career 1-0. The stakes are, of course, high. To make it even worse, FIU hasn’t beaten the Wildcats. Like, ever.
Bethune-Cookman themselves aren’t exactly in the best of momentum either. They finished 2-10 in 2024 and haven’t seen a winning season since 2019. But that Week 1 is getting a whole lot more thrilling as the former FIU quarterback Amari Jones, who backed up current starter Keyone Jenkins, transferred to Bethune-Cookman after the 2024 season.
If he wins the QB job there, the Panthers will face a very familiar face. And one with something to prove. And that’s just the start. The is filled with intriguing matchups ahead, including Power Five heavyweights and in-state rivalries. Simmons will have to prove FIU’s ready to grow up fast. After all, no more moral victories. It’s time to win.
- August 29, Friday
vs. Bethune-Cookman - September 6, Saturday
at Penn State - September 13, Saturday
vs. Florida Atlantic - September 20, Saturday
vs. Delaware - October 4, Saturday
at UConn - October 14, Tuesday
At Western Kentucky - October 21, Tuesday
vs. Kennesaw State
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- October 29, Wednesday
at Missouri State - November 8, Saturday
at Middle Tennessee - November 15, Saturday
vs. Liberty - November 22, Saturday
vs. Jacksonville State - November 29, Saturday
at Sam Houston
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