What Is 2019 Columbia Lions football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2019 Columbia Lions football team represented Columbia University in the NCAA Division I FCS football season, finishing with a 4–6 record under head coach Al Bagnoli, including a 3–4 mark in Ivy League play.

Key Facts

The 2019 Columbia Lions compiled a 4–6 overall record
They went 3–4 in Ivy League conference play
Head coach Al Bagnoli entered his second season in 2019
Home games were played at Robert K. Kraft Field at Lawrence A. Wien Stadium
Columbia scored 208 total points during the 2019 season

Overview

The 2019 Columbia Lions football team represented Columbia University during the 2019 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Competing in the Ivy League, the team was led by head coach Al Bagnoli, who was in his second year at the helm after being hired in 2018 to revitalize the program.

The Lions played their home games at Robert K. Kraft Field at Lawrence A. Wien Stadium in Inwood, Manhattan, New York. Despite improvements from the previous season, Columbia finished with a losing record but showed signs of progress under new leadership and a restructured roster.

Season record: The 2019 Columbia Lions finished with a 4–6 overall record, marking a slight improvement from their 2–8 performance in 2018.
Conference performance: In Ivy League play, the team posted a 3–4 conference record, placing them in the middle of the league standings.
Head coach:Al Bagnoli, a veteran with a successful history at Penn, entered his second season aiming to rebuild the Lions’ competitiveness.
Home stadium: All home games were held at Robert K. Kraft Field at Lawrence A. Wien Stadium, which has a capacity of approximately 17,000.
Scoring output: Columbia scored 208 total points across 10 games, averaging about 20.8 points per game during the season.

Season Performance

The 2019 campaign featured a mix of competitive losses and hard-fought victories, reflecting a team in transition. While the Lions did not qualify for the FCS playoffs, several games were decided by single digits, indicating improved competitiveness.

Season opener: Columbia opened the season with a 38–34 loss to Fordham on September 21, 2019, in a high-scoring affair.
First win: The Lions earned their first victory under Bagnoli with a 24–17 win over Wagner on September 28.
Key victory: A 21–14 win over Brown on October 26 marked one of the stronger performances, showcasing defensive improvement.
Close losses: Columbia lost three games by seven points or fewer, including narrow defeats to Harvard (21–16) and Princeton (24–21).
Offensive stats: Quarterback Reed Klubnik threw for 1,518 yards and 10 touchdowns during the season, leading the passing attack.
Defensive effort: The defense recorded 14 total sacks and forced 12 turnovers, though consistency remained a challenge throughout the year.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2019 season can be evaluated in context by comparing it to recent Columbia football seasons and Ivy League peers:

Season	Overall Record	Ivy Record	Head Coach	Key Statistic
2019	4–6	3–4	Al Bagnoli	208 points scored
2018	2–8	2–5	Al Bagnoli (first year)	156 points scored
2017	3–7	2–5	Al Bagnoli (interim)	198 points scored
2016	1–9	1–6	Alejandro Riley	134 points scored
2015	4–6	3–4	Alejandro Riley	218 points scored

This table illustrates that while the 2019 season did not yield a winning record, it continued a trend of modest improvement compared to the 1–9 disaster of 2016. Columbia scored more points than in 2018 and matched their 2015 win total, suggesting incremental progress under Bagnoli’s leadership. However, consistency against top-tier Ivy teams like Yale and Princeton remained elusive.

Why It Matters

The 2019 season was significant as part of a broader rebuilding effort for Columbia football, which has historically struggled in the Ivy League. Each season under Bagnoli was viewed as a step toward restoring competitiveness and recruiting higher-caliber athletes.

Program momentum: The 4–6 record helped build morale and provided recruits with evidence of progress under new leadership.
Recruiting impact: Improved on-field performance in 2019 contributed to stronger recruiting classes in subsequent years.
Competitive parity: Narrow losses to top teams like Harvard and Princeton suggested Columbia was closer to Ivy contention.
Coaching development: Bagnoli’s second season allowed him to implement a more cohesive defensive and offensive scheme.
Fan engagement: Competitive games helped boost attendance and student interest at home games in Upper Manhattan.
Foundation for future: The 2019 season laid groundwork for future improvements, culminating in a 5–5 record in 2021.

While the 2019 Columbia Lions did not achieve a winning season, their performance was a critical piece in the long-term revitalization of a historically underperforming program. The season demonstrated that with sustained investment and coaching stability, Columbia could become a more consistent presence in Ivy League football.