What Is 2016 Texas State Bobcats football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2016 Texas State Bobcats football team represented Texas State University in the 2016 NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with a 3-9 record under head coach Dennis Franchione. They competed in the Sun Belt Conference and played home games at Bobcat Stadium in San Marcos, Texas.

Key Facts

The 2016 Texas State Bobcats finished the season with a 3-9 overall record
They played in the Sun Belt Conference and had a 2-6 conference record
Head coach Dennis Franchione retired after the 2015 season; Everett Withers took over in 2016
The team played home games at Bobcat Stadium in San Marcos, Texas
Quarterback Tyler Jones started most games, throwing for 1,847 yards and 10 touchdowns

Overview

The 2016 Texas State Bobcats football season marked the program's 97th season of intercollegiate competition and its fourth as a member of the Sun Belt Conference. Under first-year head coach Everett Withers, the team struggled to find consistency, finishing with a 3-9 overall record and a 2-6 mark in conference play.

Despite high expectations following a 3-9 record in 2015, the Bobcats failed to improve under new leadership. The season was defined by offensive inefficiency and defensive lapses, particularly in road games, which contributed to a five-game losing streak late in the year.

Season record: The Bobcats finished with a 3-9 overall record, their third consecutive losing season under new head coach Everett Withers.
Sun Belt performance: Texas State went 2-6 in conference play, placing them near the bottom of the Sun Belt West Division standings.
Head coaching change: Dennis Franchione retired after 2015, and Everett Withers was hired, bringing experience from previous FBS programs.
Home stadium: All home games were played at Bobcat Stadium in San Marcos, Texas, which has a seating capacity of approximately 30,000.
Key player: Quarterback Tyler Jones started eight games, throwing for 1,847 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions on the season.

Season Performance Breakdown

The 2016 campaign featured a challenging schedule that included non-conference matchups against Power Five opponents and tough Sun Belt rivals. The team showed flashes of potential but lacked the depth and execution needed to compete consistently at the FBS level.

Opening game: Texas State lost 48-10 to Arizona State on September 3, facing a high-powered Pac-12 offense in Tempe.
First win: The Bobcats secured their first victory on September 17, defeating UTEP 31-10 at home, led by 123 rushing yards from Marcus Bonnett.
Midseason struggles: From late September through November, the team lost six of seven games, including close defeats to Arkansas State and Louisiana-Lafayette.
Defensive issues: The Bobcats allowed an average of 35.8 points per game, ranking among the worst in the Sun Belt Conference.
Offensive stats: Texas State averaged 22.3 points and 342.7 yards per game, with inconsistent passing efficiency.
Final game: The season ended with a 44-20 loss to in-state rival Texas State on November 26, highlighting ongoing struggles against FBS competition.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2016 Texas State Bobcats compared to other Sun Belt teams in key statistical categories:

Team	Overall Record	Conference Record	Points Scored	Points Allowed
Texas State	3-9	2-6	268	430
Arkansas State	8-5	5-3	387	327
Appalachian State	9-3	6-2	337	215
Georgia Southern	5-7	3-5	286	332
UL Lafayette	6-7	4-4	278	286

The table illustrates that Texas State ranked near the bottom in both scoring and defense. While teams like Appalachian State and Arkansas State made bowl appearances, the Bobcats struggled to close games, particularly against stronger Sun Belt opponents. Their point differential of -162 was the worst among Sun Belt teams, underscoring systemic issues on both sides of the ball.

Why It Matters

The 2016 season was a pivotal year for Texas State football, marking a transition under new leadership and revealing challenges that would shape future recruiting and program direction. Despite the poor record, the season provided valuable experience for young players and highlighted the need for improved depth and coaching continuity.

Program development: The season exposed gaps in talent and depth, prompting changes in recruiting strategy for 2017 and beyond.
Coaching evaluation: Everett Withers was under pressure to improve, and his tenure would be closely watched after this underwhelming debut season.
Fan engagement: Attendance at Bobcat Stadium declined, raising concerns about fan support amid sustained losing records.
Player development: Young quarterbacks and defensive backs gained critical experience, setting the foundation for future seasons.
Conference competitiveness: The performance highlighted the growing gap between Texas State and top Sun Belt programs like Appalachian State.
Long-term impact: The 2016 season contributed to a broader reassessment of the program’s trajectory, leading to eventual coaching changes in subsequent years.

The 2016 Texas State Bobcats season, while disappointing, served as a benchmark for measuring future progress. It underscored the challenges of competing in the Sun Belt and emphasized the need for sustained investment in coaching, recruiting, and player development to achieve long-term success.