| Year: | 2002 |
| Prev Year: | none |
| Team: | FIU Golden Panthers |
| Conference: | Independent |
| Record: | 5–6 |
| Hc Year: | 1st |
| Off Coach: | Greg Briner |
| Oc Year: | 1st |
| Stadium: | FIU Stadium |
The 2002 FIU Panthers football team represented Florida International University in the 2002 NCAA Division I-AA football season as an NCAA Division I-AA independent school. The Panthers were led by head coach Don Strock in his first season and finished with a record of five wins and six losses (5–6).
FIU played its first-ever game August 29, 2002 against St. Peter's (N.J.) at old FIU Stadium. The Panthers won 27–3 that night and a football program was born.http://tkt.xosn.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=49159&SPID=4780&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=11700&ATCLID=205496989