The 2023 Bethune–Cookman Wildcats football team represented Bethune–Cookman University as a member of the East Division of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) during the 2023 NCAA Division I FCS football season.

On December 27, 2022, Ed Reed was hired as the new head coach for the Wildcats.

[1] Bethune–Cookman chose not to ratify Reed's contract on January 21, 2023, which vacated the football team's head coaching position prior to Reed officially becoming the team's head coach.

[2] Prior to his dismissal, Reed recorded a live stream on which he vociferously criticized the condition of the school's athletic facilities.

[3][4][5] In the wake of this decision, Reed continued his criticism of the university, saying "I'm not withdrawing my name as they say.