What Is 2016 Maine Black Bears football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2016 Maine Black Bears football team represented the University of Maine in the NCAA Division I FCS football season, finishing with a 3–8 record under head coach Jack Cosgrove, who retired after the season.

Key Facts

The 2016 Maine Black Bears finished the season with a 3–8 overall record.
They competed in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) and posted a 2–6 conference record.
Head coach Jack Cosgrove retired after 23 seasons following the 2015 season, but the 2016 team was his final roster.
Interim head coach Nick Charlton took over after Cosgrove’s retirement announcement.
Maine played their home games at Alfond Stadium in Orono, Maine.

Overview

The 2016 Maine Black Bears football team represented the University of Maine in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). Competing as a member of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA), the team struggled during the season, failing to qualify for the FCS playoffs.

Under the leadership of interim head coach Nick Charlton, who assumed control after long-time coach Jack Cosgrove’s retirement, the Black Bears faced challenges in both offense and defense. The team played its home games at Alfond Stadium in Orono, a venue with a capacity of approximately 8,456.

Record: The team finished with a 3–8 overall record, including a 2–6 mark in CAA play, placing them near the bottom of the conference standings.
Head Coaching Transition: Jack Cosgrove, who coached Maine for 23 seasons, officially retired after the 2015 season, but the 2016 roster reflected his final recruiting and strategic influence.
Interim Leadership: Nick Charlton, previously the special teams coordinator, was elevated to interim head coach and began shaping the program’s future direction.
Home Venue: Alfond Stadium, located on the University of Maine campus, hosted all home games and has been the team’s home since 1958.
Key Player: Quarterback Chris Blewitt started most games, throwing for 1,302 yards and 6 touchdowns with 8 interceptions on the season.

How the 2016 Season Unfolded

The 2016 campaign was marked by transition, both in coaching and player development, as Maine adjusted to life after Jack Cosgrove. Despite flashes of competitiveness, the team could not secure enough wins to remain playoff-eligible.

Season Opener: Maine opened the season on September 3, 2016, with a 31–10 loss to FBS team UConn, setting a challenging tone for the year.
CAA Competition: The Black Bears faced tough conference opponents, including losses to ranked teams like James Madison and Richmond.
Offensive Struggles: The team averaged only 17.5 points per game, ranking among the lowest in the CAA due to inconsistent quarterback play and offensive line issues.
Defensive Performance: Maine’s defense allowed an average of 30.7 points per game, highlighting vulnerabilities against both the pass and run.
Win Highlights: Victories came against non-conference opponent Holy Cross (24–14) and CAA foes Rhode Island (24–17) and Towson (31–28).
Injuries: Key injuries to offensive linemen and skill players disrupted continuity and limited the team’s ability to build momentum.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2016 season compared poorly to previous years, particularly the 2013 and 2015 campaigns when Maine made playoff appearances. Below is a performance comparison:

Season	Overall Record	CAA Record	Points Scored (Avg)	Points Allowed (Avg)
2013	6–5	4–4	24.8	22.1
2014	6–5	4–4	23.6	21.9
2015	7–4	5–3	26.2	19.7
2016	3–8	2–6	17.5	30.7
2017	4–7	3–5	19.1	28.4

The table shows a clear decline in performance from 2015 to 2016, both offensively and defensively. While 2017 saw slight defensive improvement, the program remained in rebuilding mode during this period.

Why It Matters

The 2016 season marked a turning point for Maine football, symbolizing the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter under younger leadership. Understanding this season helps contextualize the program’s trajectory in subsequent years.

Coaching Legacy: Jack Cosgrove’s retirement closed a 23-year chapter, during which he became the winningest coach in program history with 128 victories.
Rebuilding Phase: The 2016 season initiated a rebuilding process that led to Nick Charlton being named permanent head coach in 2018.
Recruiting Shift: New leadership emphasized recruiting players suited to a modern, faster-paced offensive system.
Conference Competitiveness: The CAA remained one of the toughest FCS conferences, making consistent winning difficult without major investment.
Program Visibility: Poor records in 2016 and beyond reduced national exposure and impacted scholarship appeal.
Fan Engagement: Attendance and local media coverage declined, affecting morale and financial support for the football program.

Ultimately, the 2016 Maine Black Bears season serves as a case study in collegiate sports transitions, illustrating how coaching changes and roster limitations can impact performance in competitive collegiate leagues.