The Miles football schedule for the 2025 season might be one of the most ambitious slates in the history of the Golden Bears program, featuring three classics, two Division I opponents, a national television appearance, and venues from Ohio to Florida.

Coming off a record-setting campaign that featured the most wins in program history, a Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship, and a first-ever win in the Division II playoffs, the Golden Bears were in demand on a national level. This gave Miles athletic director Fred Watson and first-year head coach Chris Goode a litany of offers to showcase one of the premier programs on all of Black College football.

"My commitment has always been to create meaningful opportunities that not only benefit our student-athletes but also our institution, alumni, and fans," Watson said. "Through strong relationships and strategic efforts, I remain dedicated to building pathways for success that elevate our athletic programs and provide transformative experiences both on and off the field."

The first opportunity comes on Aug. 31 when the Golden Bears compete in the Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic against Virginia Union, defending champion of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association. The game will take place at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio and features the top two HBCU programs in Division II from a year ago. The game will be broadcast on the NFL Network.

Miles also has another big showcase opportunity on Sept. 27 when it participates in the 41^st annual Circle City Classic in Indianapolis. The Golden Bears will battle Division I Morgan State of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference at Lucas Oil Stadium in one of the nation's most revered classic football events.

Watson believes the opportunity to play in this event for the first time is a huge reward for the Golden Bears.

"Participating in the prestigious Circle City Classic is a tremendous opportunity for our student-athletes and our institution. This historic event not only highlights their talent on a national stage but also aligns with our mission to enhance the student-athlete experience," Watson said.
 
"This game will elevate our college's visibility, bring national recognition to our team, and place our student-athletes in a highly competitive environment that fosters growth, exposure, and invaluable experiences. Additionally, it serves as a powerful unifying event for our alumni, supporters, stakeholders, and fans."
 
Morgan State was in the mix for the MEAC championship late in the 2024 season and should provide another formidable opponent for Miles as one of the two Division I FCS opponents on Miles' schedule. The Golden Bears will get another chance to take down in-state foe Alabama State in Montgomery on Sept. 13.
 
Miles will open its Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference slate on Sept. 6 at Edward Waters. Two weeks later, it will host the first of four home contests against Savannah State in the Prince Hall Americanism Classic on Sept. 20. After an Oct. 4 contest against Kentucky State, Miles will host a 2024 SIAC Championship Game rematch against Clark Atlanta for Homecoming on Oct. 18. The Golden Bears will close out the regular season with its annual rivalry battle against Tuskegee on Nov. 8. All home contests will take place at Albert J. Sloan-Alumni Stadium.
 
The remainder of the SIAC schedule will pit Miles against Lane (Oct. 11), Central State (Oct. 25) and Fort Valley State (Nov. 1) with each of those contests taking place on the road. Times for some of the games are still to be announced and will be available at milesgoldenbears.com.