What Is 1989 Long Beach State 49ers football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1989 Long Beach State 49ers football team represented California State University, Long Beach during the 1989 NCAA Division I-A season. They competed in the Pacific Coast Athletic Association (PCAA) and finished with a 3–8 record under head coach Mike Sheppard.

Key Facts

The 1989 Long Beach State 49ers football team had a final record of 3–8.
Head coach Mike Sheppard led the team during his fifth season.
They played their home games at California State Stadium in Long Beach.
The 49ers competed in the Pacific Coast Athletic Association (PCAA).
Their final game was a loss to San Jose State on November 18, 1989.

Overview

The 1989 Long Beach State 49ers football team represented California State University, Long Beach in the NCAA Division I-A football season. Competing in the Pacific Coast Athletic Association (PCAA), the team struggled through a challenging year under head coach Mike Sheppard.

The 49ers played their home games at California State Stadium and faced a tough schedule against regional and conference opponents. Despite flashes of competitiveness, the team failed to secure a winning record, finishing the season with a 3–8 overall mark.

Record: The team finished with a 3–8 overall record, including just 2 wins in conference play.
Head Coach:Mike Sheppard was in his fifth year as head coach and compiled a 3–8 record in his final season.
Stadium: All home games were played at California State Stadium, located on campus in Long Beach, California.
Conference: The 49ers competed in the Pacific Coast Athletic Association (PCAA), which later became the Big West Conference.
Final Game: Their last game was a 31–28 loss to San Jose State on November 18, 1989, marking the end of the season.

Season Performance and Key Games

The 1989 season featured a mix of close contests and lopsided defeats, highlighting the team’s inconsistency. Several games were decided by less than a touchdown, indicating competitive effort despite the poor record.

Opening Game: The 49ers opened the season with a 35–21 loss to San Diego State on September 9, 1989.
First Win: They earned their first victory on September 23 with a 31–20 win over UC Davis, an I-AA opponent.
Conference Play: In PCAA games, they managed only two wins, against UC Santa Barbara and Cal State Fullerton.
Close Loss: A 24–21 loss to Fresno State on October 21 showed potential but ended in heartbreak.
Offensive Output: The team averaged 19.8 points per game, ranking near the bottom of the conference in scoring.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 1989 season to previous years reveals a decline in performance and competitiveness.

Season	Record (Overall)	Record (Conference)	Head Coach	Notable Outcome
1987	6–5	4–3	Mike Sheppard	First winning season since 1979
1988	5–6	3–4	Mike Sheppard	Near bowl eligibility
1989	3–8	2–5	Mike Sheppard	Final season under Sheppard
1990	2–9	1–6	Wayne Howard	Program decline continued
1991	1–10	1–6	Wayne Howard	Final season before program cancellation

This table illustrates a steady decline in performance from 1987 to 1991. The 1989 season marked the midpoint of this downturn, with dwindling wins and increasing pressure on the coaching staff. The program was eventually discontinued after the 1991 season due to budget constraints and lack of success.

Why It Matters

The 1989 season is a key chapter in the history of Long Beach State football, representing the beginning of the end for the program. It reflects broader challenges faced by smaller programs in maintaining Division I-A status.

Program Legacy: The 1989 team was part of the final decade of Long Beach State football before the program was discontinued in 1991.
Coaching Transition: Mike Sheppard’s departure after 1989 led to Wayne Howard taking over in 1990, with no improvement.
Budget Constraints: Declining attendance and rising costs contributed to the decision to drop football.
Impact on Athletics: The cancellation affected scholarships, recruiting, and long-term university sports planning.
Historical Marker: The 1989 season symbolizes the struggles of mid-tier programs in a growing commercialized college sports landscape.
Fan Memory: For alumni and fans, the 1989 team remains a nostalgic reminder of Long Beach State’s football era.

The 1989 Long Beach State 49ers football season, while not successful on the field, serves as a historical benchmark in the evolution of college football programs facing financial and competitive pressures.