The 2012 FIU Panthers football team represented Florida International University during the 2012 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They were led by sixth year head coach Mario Cristobal and played their home games at FIU Stadium. They were a member of the Sun Belt Conference. This was the Panthers final season as members of the Sun Belt as they have accepted an invitation to join Conference USA on July 1, 2013. They were a member of the Sun Belt Conference. They finished the season 3âÂÂ9, 2âÂÂ6 in Sun Belt play to finish in a tie for eighth place. Head coach Mario Cristobal was fired at the end of the season after posting a 27âÂÂ47 record in six seasons.