What Is 2016 Texas Southern Tigers football

Content on WhatAnswers is provided "as is" for informational purposes. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees. Content is AI-assisted and should not be used as professional advice.

Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2016 Texas Southern Tigers football team represented Texas Southern University in the NCAA Division I FCS football season, finishing with a 4–7 record under head coach Darrell Asberry and competing in the SWAC's West Division.

Key Facts

The 2016 Texas Southern Tigers finished the season with a 4–7 overall record
Head coach Darrell Asberry led the team in his fifth and final season
They played their home games at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, Texas
The Tigers competed in the SWAC West Division, finishing 3–5 in conference play
Quarterback Cliff Hill was the team's leading passer with 1,346 yards

Overview

The 2016 Texas Southern Tigers football team represented Texas Southern University during the 2016 NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) season. Competing as a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), the Tigers played in the West Division under head coach Darrell Asberry, who was in his fifth and final year at the helm.

The team played its home games at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, Texas, and finished the season with a 4–7 overall record and a 3–5 mark in SWAC play. Despite not qualifying for the SWAC Championship Game, the season featured notable performances from key players and provided developmental momentum for future seasons.

Record: The Tigers finished the 2016 season with a 4–7 overall record and a 3–5 conference record in the SWAC West Division.
Head Coach:Darrell Asberry served as head coach for the fifth consecutive year, stepping down after the season with a 22–35 career record at TSU.
Home Stadium: The team played home games at Shell Energy Stadium, formerly known as BBVA Compass Stadium, located in downtown Houston.
Offensive Leader: Quarterback Cliff Hill led the passing attack with 1,346 yards, completing 120 of 212 passes with 10 touchdowns and 7 interceptions.
Defensive Standout: Linebacker Devin Gant recorded 78 total tackles, leading the team in defensive stops and earning All-SWAC recognition.

How It Works

The 2016 season followed standard NCAA FCS regulations, with Texas Southern competing in a conference schedule designed to determine divisional and overall SWAC champions.

Season Structure: The Tigers played a 11-game regular season, including 8 conference games and 3 non-conference matchups against teams like Prairie View A&M and Mississippi Valley State.
SWAC Format: The SWAC splits into East and West Divisions, with the division winners meeting in the SWAC Championship Game held in Birmingham, Alabama.
Eligibility Rules: NCAA eligibility standards applied, requiring student-athletes to maintain academic progress and meet amateurism standards to participate.
Roster Composition: The 2016 roster included over 100 players, with 28 seniors and a mix of transfers, walk-ons, and scholarship athletes.
Game Operations: Each game followed standard FCS rules, including 60-minute clocks, two-a-day practices during training camp, and compliance with NCAA safety protocols.
Coaching Strategy: Asberry utilized a spread offensive scheme and a 4–2–5 defensive alignment, emphasizing speed and versatility on both sides of the ball.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2016 season performance is best understood when compared to prior years and conference peers:

Season	Overall Record	SWAC Record	Division Finish	Head Coach
2016	4–7	3–5	4th in West	Darrell Asberry
2015	6–5	5–3	2nd in West	Darrell Asberry
2014	5–6	4–4	3rd in West	Darrell Asberry
2013	0–11	0–8	5th in West	Darrell Asberry
2012	2–9	2–6	4th in West	Darrell Asberry

The 2016 season marked a slight decline from the previous year’s 6–5 record but showed improvement over the 0–11 disaster of 2013. While the team failed to reach the SWAC title game, it continued a rebuilding trend under Asberry’s leadership, laying groundwork for future competitiveness.

Why It Matters

The 2016 season was a transitional year that highlighted both challenges and progress within the Texas Southern football program, setting the stage for future leadership and player development.

Program Momentum: Despite a losing record, the team showed signs of growth compared to the historically low 2013 season, indicating gradual improvement.
Player Development: Young talent like quarterback Cliff Hill gained valuable experience, setting a foundation for future offensive leadership.
Coaching Transition: Asberry’s departure after 2016 opened the door for Mike Jinks, who was hired in 2017 to revitalize the program.
SWAC Exposure: Games were broadcast on ESPN networks, increasing visibility for HBCU athletics and student-athlete opportunities.
Recruiting Impact: Competitive performances helped attract recruits from Texas and Louisiana, strengthening future roster depth.
Academic Integration: The season emphasized the balance between athletics and academics, with several players earning SWAC All-Academic honors.

While the 2016 Texas Southern Tigers did not achieve postseason success, the season contributed to long-term program development and served as a critical step in the university’s broader athletic resurgence.