What Is 1993 San Jose State Spartans football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1993 San Jose State Spartans football team represented San Jose State University during the 1993 NCAA Division I-A football season, finishing with a 7-5 record under head coach Terry Shea. They played their home games at Spartan Stadium in San Jose, California, and competed in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). The team scored 278 points while allowing 267, narrowly missing a bowl game.

Key Facts

The 1993 San Jose State Spartans finished with a 7-5 overall record
Head coach Terry Shea led the team in his third season
They played home games at Spartan Stadium in San Jose, CA
The team scored 278 total points, averaging 23.2 per game
They were members of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) in 1993

Overview

The 1993 San Jose State Spartans football team represented San Jose State University in the 1993 NCAA Division I-A football season. Competing in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC), the Spartans posted a winning record under head coach Terry Shea, who was in his third year at the helm.

Playing their home games at Spartan Stadium in San Jose, California, the team showed significant offensive improvement compared to previous seasons. Despite a strong finish, they did not qualify for a postseason bowl game, falling just short of eligibility.

Record: The Spartans finished the 1993 season with a 7-5 overall record, their best since 1987.
Head Coach: Terry Shea led the team in his third season, building momentum for future program growth.
Stadium: All home games were played at Spartan Stadium, which had a capacity of approximately 30,456.
Conference: As members of the Western Athletic Conference, they faced strong competition from teams like BYU and Utah.
Scoring: The team totaled 278 points across 12 games, averaging 23.2 points per game.

Season Performance

The 1993 campaign featured a balanced mix of wins and losses, with key victories boosting morale and program visibility. The Spartans demonstrated resilience, bouncing back from early setbacks to finish strong.

Early Season: Opened with a win over Pacific, setting a positive tone for the year with a 38-21 victory on September 4.
Mid-Season Struggles: Dropped three of four games in October, including losses to Air Force and Colorado State.
Offensive Leader: Quarterback Mike Perez emerged as a key playmaker, throwing for over 1,800 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Defensive Standouts: Linebacker Eric Thomas recorded over 100 tackles, anchoring the defense throughout the season.
Key Win: A 31-28 victory over in-state rival Fresno State on November 20 was a highlight of the season.
Missed Bowl Eligibility: Finished one win short of bowl eligibility, which required at least six wins in a 12-game season at the time.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the 1993 season compared to adjacent years in terms of performance and program trajectory:

Season	Record	Head Coach	Points For	Points Against
1991	4-7	Terry Shea	205	258
1992	5-7	Terry Shea	232	277
1993	7-5	Terry Shea	278	267
1994	4-7	Terry Shea	182	241
1995	3-8	Terry Shea	178	286

The 1993 season stands out as a peak during Terry Shea’s tenure, showing marked improvement in scoring and defensive efficiency. While subsequent years regressed, this season demonstrated the program’s potential during a transitional era in college football.

Why It Matters

The 1993 season is remembered as a turning point that briefly elevated San Jose State’s football profile. Though short-lived, the success laid groundwork for future development and fan engagement.

Program Momentum: The 7-5 record gave hope for sustained competitiveness under Terry Shea’s leadership.
Recruiting Boost: Improved performance helped attract higher-caliber recruits in the following years.
Conference Impact: Strong WAC showings increased the Spartans’ visibility in a competitive league.
Stadium Atmosphere: Winning seasons brought larger crowds to Spartan Stadium, boosting local support.
Historical Benchmark: Remains one of only a few winning seasons between 1988 and 1999.
Foundation for Growth: Set expectations that later coaches, like Fitz Hill and Dick Tomey, would build upon in the 2000s.

While the 1993 San Jose State Spartans did not achieve national acclaim, their season remains a notable chapter in the program’s history—representing a brief but promising resurgence during a challenging era.