Changes

'''2001 Season:'''

The 2002 season began under a heavy cloud of doubt. After an awesome 8-1 inaugural season but after bad management, the Power was given a new life. Bolstered by new ownership and confidence, the Power prepared for the 2002 season. With about 25 returning veterans the Power had a solid core to build on. The NWFA had added another 10 teams to the league and had recreated itself into five conferences. The Power found itself in the new Gulf Coast Division with teams from Biloxi, Panama City and New Orleans. The Power was quick to use its experience and power to dominate divisional opponents and wrapped up its’ second consecutive undefeated season and divisional title. They outscored their opponents 421-19. They had the #1 rated offense and the #2 rated defense in the league. The Power defeated the Alabama Renegades 12-8 in the first round of the playoffs but fell to the eventual National Champion, the Detroit Danger by a score of 14-7. The Power has amassed a 17-2 (.894 winning percentage) record over the last two years.

Head Coach Tim Smart - who is a retired Air Force Officer currently coaching the 2006 champions (the D.C. Divas) receives orders and is unable to complete the season. The Power warms up with a home pre-season game against the Nashville Dream, winning 37-12. Coach Smart takes the Power to a regular season 7-0 record before he has to pack up. Coach Mike Thomas (defensive coordinator) takes over as head coach and the transition is smooth. Coach Thomas' first official game as head coach is a victory and seals up an incredible record of 8-0 for the season outscoring opponents 480-10. The Power is now undefeated in regular season play for the third consecutive year.

With Coach Mike Thomas leading the way, the Power saw some new competition, as their favorite rival the Alabama Renegades were shifted into a different division. Although the games were tougher as the competition gets more experienced, the Power had their 4th consecutive 8-0 regular season. New playoff rules put into place made the scenario such that you must beat each opponent by more than 30 points to ultimately gain the home field advantage. Teams who were given forfeits automatically were credited with a 30 point spread win. Although 8-0 and outscoring their opponents 398-57, the Power lost the home field advantage, was seeded #3 and had to travel for 2 out of 3 playoff games. The Power breezed their way through the first round defeating the Ashville Assault 61-0. The team met the always competitive Chattanooga Locomotion in the next round. This was the first time the two teams had met again since the 2001 season. The game began slowly with both teams showing some strengths and weaknesses but the Power opened things up in the second half and defeated the Locomotion 35-20. The final playoff game and Southern Conference Championship was against the Lightning in Oklahoma City. The Power was disappointed as they weren't able to take the team to the final game with a loss to OKC. The franchise record after this season is 36-4 (.894) not including pre-season scrimmages.

This time, riding another 8-0 season, the Power beat OKC in overtime earning a third appearance at the Championships. They traveled to Louisville, Kentucky to play the Detroit Demolition for the NWFA Championship but they were literally out of their league as the were overpowered by a painful 74-0 loss.

Limping home after their loss, the Power never quite recovered and suffered their first regular season loss in the francise history to the Austin Outlaws. They ended the 2006 season 6-2 but still captured their Southeast Division Title. The Power were beaten by the Columbus Comets in the 2nd round of playoffs to end their 2006 season.

Despite capturing a 7-1 record and another Southeast Division Title, the Power were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Columbus Comets once again.

Once again, the Power finished 6-2 and won the Southeast Division championship. Likewise, the Power were eliminated in the first round, losing 6-0 to the Kentucky Karma.

For the 2009 season, the Power moved to the WFA and changed their name to the Gulf Coast Riptide because of naming issues with the former team owner Roy Jone, Jr. The team was placed in the American Conference Southeast Division along with Memphis, New Orleans, Emerald Coast and Jacksonville. Despite another well-played season and another 6-2 record, for the first time in franchise history, the Riptide missed the playoffs. This is because of the WFA's new playoff system which did not allow for any wildcards from the American Coference and because of the Riptide's two losses to the Jacksonville Dixie Blues.

Season W L T Finish Playoff results

Pensacola Power (NWFA)

Won Conference Semifinal (Alabama)

Won Conference Championship (Oklahoma City)

Lost NWFA Championship (Detroit)

Won Southern Conference Semifinal (Chattanooga)

Lost Southern Conference Championship (Oklahoma City)

Won South Division Championship (Oklahoma City)

Lost NWFA Championship (Detroit)

Lost NWFA Quarterfinal (Columbus)

Gulf Coast Riptide (WFA)

Preliminary Gulf Coast Riptide logo (pre-2009)

Gulf Coast Riptide (2009-present)