San José State Spartans Football
Encyclopedia
The San Jose State Spartans represent San Jose State University
and the Silicon Valley
in NCAA Division I FBS college football
. The Spartans play all home games in Spartan Stadium
, which offers a seating capacity
of over 30,000. The current head coach is Mike MacIntyre
, who began his first season as head coach in 2010.
(WAC).
SJSU first fielded a football team in 1893 and has won 16 conference championships dating back to 1932.
The first regular football seasons began in 1898 and mostly consisted of games against local high schools and some colleges and junior colleges. During the 1930s and 1940s, the Spartan football program was considered a powerhouse, winning eight conference championships over an 18-year span. The 1932 and 1939 teams went 7-0-2 and 13-0 respectively, the only undefeated seasons in school history.
Spartan Stadium was completed in 1933 with a capacity of 18,000. The Spartans won the first football game played in the stadium, 44-6, over San Francisco State
on October 7, 1933. Two stadium expansions and renovations in the 1980s increased the seating capacity
from 18,000 to 30,456.
The San Jose State Spartans football team served unexpectedly with the Honolulu Police Department
during World War II
. The team had just arrived in Honolulu to play a series of post-season games (including the Shrine Bowl) against the University of Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors and the Willamette University Bearcats
, but the team was stranded on the islands for a number of weeks after the Pearl Harbor attack. The team members were then employed to improve island defenses against a possible Japanese amphibious assault and as guards for military bases on the island.
The San Jose Mercury News
reported in March 2004 that budget cuts led some faculty members at San Jose State to advocate removing the SJSU football program from Division IA athletics.
In 2004, San Jose State defeated the Rice Owls
70-63 in a game that set the NCAA Division I record for total points scored and total touchdowns for a non-overtime game.
SJSU has produced over 70 All-America
team members, including five first-team selections.
ten years prior. Tomey guided the Spartans to a 9-4 record, a win over rival Fresno State
, and a win in the 2006 New Mexico Bowl, thus ending the team's 16-year bowl drought. The 2006 Spartan squad produced two 2007 NFL draft
picks in wide receivers James Jones
and John Broussard
.
was not as successful as the previous year's team, with the Spartans going 5-7 and finishing 5th in the WAC. The post-season showed a positive result, however, with several players being named to all-star games including Dwight Lowery
, Matt Castelo
, and Adam Tafralis
. The Spartans produced another draft pick in the 2008 NFL Draft
, in defensive back Dwight Lowery
. Lowery was named a 1st-team All-America winner in 2007.
gave the school its best start since joining the WAC. The Spartans jumped to 3-0 and led the WAC for 3 weeks until losing to Boise State
. The Spartans finished the season in 6th place in the WAC with a conference record of 4-4, and a 6-6 overall record. Three players were picked in the 2009 NFL Draft
, those being defensive tackle Jarron Gilbert
, defensive back Christopher Owens, and defensive back Coye Francies
and New Mexico State
. Head Coach Dick Tomey announced in November he would retire at the close of the season, thus ending his legendary coaching career. Tomey's record at SJSU was 25-35. On December 17, 2009, Mike MacIntyre
was formally introduced as Tomey's replacement. MacIntyre was previously the defensive coordinator at Duke University
.
, Fresno State
and Hawaii
.
is arguably SJSU's biggest football rivalry. As of 2011, Fresno State leads the series 39–34–3.
As of 2011, Stanford leads the series 50–14–1. SJSU's most notable success against Stanford occurred when the Spartans won three consecutive games over the Cardinal from 1981 to 1983, and again from 1998 to 2000. The 1979–1982 series pitted Stanford quarterback John Elway
against his father, Jack Elway
, who served as the SJSU head football coach from 1979 to 1983.
, and seven former Spartans are actively playing in the NFL. The 110 players include six NFL Pro Bowl
selections, six first-round draft picks, two MVP award winners, and one NFL Rookie of the Year.
SJSU, Dayton and Arkansas are the only schools to produce two alumni who coached Super Bowl
-winning teams.
football championship titles than any other team in the history of the Big West conference. 1995 was SJSU's final season in the Big West, as the Spartans moved to the WAC in 1996.
No Team: 1894, 1896–1897, 1901–1920, 1943–1945
The SJSU football team has made eight bowl appearances. Its most recent bowl appearance occurred in 2006 when the Spartans defeated the University of New Mexico
in the New Mexico Bowl
.
San José State University
San Jose State University is a public university located in San Jose, California, United States...
and the Silicon Valley
Silicon Valley
Silicon Valley is a term which refers to the southern part of the San Francisco Bay Area in Northern California in the United States. The region is home to many of the world's largest technology corporations...
in NCAA Division I FBS college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
. The Spartans play all home games in Spartan Stadium
Spartan Stadium (San Jose)
Spartan Stadium, located in San Jose, California, is the official stadium of the San José State University Spartans athletics teams. It is currently the home of the Spartan football and soccer teams....
, which offers a seating capacity
Seating capacity
Seating capacity refers to the number of people who can be seated in a specific space, both in terms of the physical space available, and in terms of limitations set by law. Seating capacity can be used in the description of anything ranging from an automobile that seats two to a stadium that seats...
of over 30,000. The current head coach is Mike MacIntyre
Mike MacIntyre
Mike MacIntyre is the head football coach at San Jose State University. Before becoming the Spartans' head coach, he previously served as defensive coordinator for the Duke Blue Devils. MacIntyre was announced as the new head coach at SJSU on December 17, 2009, succeeding the retiring Dick...
, who began his first season as head coach in 2010.
History
The SJSU Spartan football team competes in the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision as part of the Western Athletic ConferenceWestern Athletic Conference
The Western Athletic Conference is an American collegiate athletic conference, which was formed on July 27, 1962, making it the sixth oldest of the 11 college athletic conferences currently participating in the NCAA's Division I FBS...
(WAC).
The first regular football seasons began in 1898 and mostly consisted of games against local high schools and some colleges and junior colleges. During the 1930s and 1940s, the Spartan football program was considered a powerhouse, winning eight conference championships over an 18-year span. The 1932 and 1939 teams went 7-0-2 and 13-0 respectively, the only undefeated seasons in school history.
Spartan Stadium was completed in 1933 with a capacity of 18,000. The Spartans won the first football game played in the stadium, 44-6, over San Francisco State
San Francisco State University
San Francisco State University is a public university located in San Francisco, California. As part of the 23-campus California State University system, the university offers over 100 areas of study from nine academic colleges...
on October 7, 1933. Two stadium expansions and renovations in the 1980s increased the seating capacity
Seating capacity
Seating capacity refers to the number of people who can be seated in a specific space, both in terms of the physical space available, and in terms of limitations set by law. Seating capacity can be used in the description of anything ranging from an automobile that seats two to a stadium that seats...
from 18,000 to 30,456.
The San Jose State Spartans football team served unexpectedly with the Honolulu Police Department
Honolulu Police Department
The Honolulu Police Department is the principal law enforcement agency of the City and County of Honolulu, Hawai'i, headquartered in the Alapa'i Police Headquarters in Honolulu CDP....
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The team had just arrived in Honolulu to play a series of post-season games (including the Shrine Bowl) against the University of Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors and the Willamette University Bearcats
Willamette Bearcats
The Willamette Bearcats are the athletic teams of Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, United States. Competing at the non-scholarship National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III level, the school fields twenty teams. Most teams compete in the Northwest Conference with their primary...
, but the team was stranded on the islands for a number of weeks after the Pearl Harbor attack. The team members were then employed to improve island defenses against a possible Japanese amphibious assault and as guards for military bases on the island.
The San Jose Mercury News
San Jose Mercury News
The San Jose Mercury News is a daily newspaper in San Jose, California. On its web site, however, it calls itself Silicon Valley Mercury News. The paper is owned by MediaNews Group...
reported in March 2004 that budget cuts led some faculty members at San Jose State to advocate removing the SJSU football program from Division IA athletics.
In 2004, San Jose State defeated the Rice Owls
Rice Owls football
The Rice Owls football team represents Rice University in NCAA Division I college football. The Owls have competed in Conference USA's Western Division since 2005. Rice Stadium, built in 1950, hosts the Owls' home football games.-Venue:...
70-63 in a game that set the NCAA Division I record for total points scored and total touchdowns for a non-overtime game.
SJSU has produced over 70 All-America
All-America
An All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
team members, including five first-team selections.
The Tomey era
2006
Coach Dick Tomey took over the program in 2005. After showing moderate improvement that year, the Spartans had a breakout season in 2006. In fact, it was the team's best season since joining the WACWestern Athletic Conference
The Western Athletic Conference is an American collegiate athletic conference, which was formed on July 27, 1962, making it the sixth oldest of the 11 college athletic conferences currently participating in the NCAA's Division I FBS...
ten years prior. Tomey guided the Spartans to a 9-4 record, a win over rival Fresno State
Fresno State Bulldogs football
The Fresno State Bulldogs football team represents California State University, Fresno in NCAA Division I FBS college football. The green “V” on the Bulldogs' helmets, uniforms, field symbolize California Central Valley, specifically the San Joaquin Valley, the agricultural valley from which they...
, and a win in the 2006 New Mexico Bowl, thus ending the team's 16-year bowl drought. The 2006 Spartan squad produced two 2007 NFL draft
2007 NFL Draft
The 2007 National Football League Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 28 and April 29, 2007. The draft was televised for the 28th consecutive year on ESPN and ESPN2. The NFL Network also broadcast coverage of the event, its second year doing so...
picks in wide receivers James Jones
James Jones (wide receiver)
James Deandre Jones is an American football wide receiver with the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Packers in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
and John Broussard
John Broussard
John Broussard is a former American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at San José State.Broussard was a member of the New York Giants Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions...
.
2007
The 2007 San Jose State Spartans football team2007 San José State Spartans football team
The 2007 San Jose State Football Team represented San Jose State University in the 2007 college football season. This season was the Spartans' third season with Dick Tomey as head coach-Pre-Season:...
was not as successful as the previous year's team, with the Spartans going 5-7 and finishing 5th in the WAC. The post-season showed a positive result, however, with several players being named to all-star games including Dwight Lowery
Dwight Lowery
-2008:Impressed with Lowery's versatility and ball skills, the New York Jets would draft him in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft as a cornerback/safety. An injury to cornerback Justin Miller would see Lowery debut in his first NFL game against the Miami Dolphins; Lowery performed modestly...
, Matt Castelo
Matt Castelo
Matt Castelo is a professional American and Canadian football linebacker free agent. He was signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
, and Adam Tafralis
Adam Tafralis
Adam Tafralis is an American quarterback who currently a free agent. He was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
. The Spartans produced another draft pick in the 2008 NFL Draft
2008 NFL Draft
The 2008 NFL Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 26 and April 27, 2008. For the 29th consecutive year, ESPN televised the draft; the NFL Network also broadcast the event, its third year doing so...
, in defensive back Dwight Lowery
Dwight Lowery
-2008:Impressed with Lowery's versatility and ball skills, the New York Jets would draft him in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft as a cornerback/safety. An injury to cornerback Justin Miller would see Lowery debut in his first NFL game against the Miami Dolphins; Lowery performed modestly...
. Lowery was named a 1st-team All-America winner in 2007.
2008
The 2008 San Jose State Spartans football team2008 San Jose State Spartans football team
The 2008 San José State Football Team represented San José State University in the 2008 college football season. This season was the Spartans' fourth season with Dick Tomey as head coach. Many changes have been made in the starting line-ups, and had impacted the games the Spartans' have played...
gave the school its best start since joining the WAC. The Spartans jumped to 3-0 and led the WAC for 3 weeks until losing to Boise State
Boise State Broncos football
This page discusses the Boise State football program. For more Boise State athletics, see Boise State Broncos.The Boise State Broncos football program represents Boise State University in college football and compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision of Division I as a member of the Mountain West...
. The Spartans finished the season in 6th place in the WAC with a conference record of 4-4, and a 6-6 overall record. Three players were picked in the 2009 NFL Draft
2009 NFL Draft
The 2009 NFL Draft was the seventy-fourth annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. The draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 25 and 26, 2009. The draft consisted of two rounds on the first day starting at 4:00...
, those being defensive tackle Jarron Gilbert
Jarron Gilbert
Jarron Gilbert is an American football defensive end for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Bears in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football at San Jose State....
, defensive back Christopher Owens, and defensive back Coye Francies
Coye Francies
Coye Francies is an American football cornerback He is currently a free agent . He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the sixth round of the 2009 NFL Draft...
2009
After playing an unusually tough non-conference schedule, the 2009 San Jose State Spartans finished 2-10 with wins over Cal PolyCalifornia Polytechnic State University
California Polytechnic State University, or Cal Poly, is a public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, United States. The university is one of two polytechnic campuses in the 23-member California State University system....
and New Mexico State
New Mexico State University
New Mexico State University at Las Cruces , is a major land-grant university in Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States...
. Head Coach Dick Tomey announced in November he would retire at the close of the season, thus ending his legendary coaching career. Tomey's record at SJSU was 25-35. On December 17, 2009, Mike MacIntyre
Mike MacIntyre
Mike MacIntyre is the head football coach at San Jose State University. Before becoming the Spartans' head coach, he previously served as defensive coordinator for the Duke Blue Devils. MacIntyre was announced as the new head coach at SJSU on December 17, 2009, succeeding the retiring Dick...
was formally introduced as Tomey's replacement. MacIntyre was previously the defensive coordinator at Duke University
Duke University
Duke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B...
.
Rivalries
San Jose State shares rivalries with StanfordStanford Cardinal football
The Stanford Cardinal football program represents Stanford University in college football at the NCAA Division I FBS level and is a member of the Pac-12 Conference's North Division. Stanford, the top-ranked academic institution with an FBS program, has a highly successful football tradition. The...
, Fresno State
Fresno State Bulldogs football
The Fresno State Bulldogs football team represents California State University, Fresno in NCAA Division I FBS college football. The green “V” on the Bulldogs' helmets, uniforms, field symbolize California Central Valley, specifically the San Joaquin Valley, the agricultural valley from which they...
and Hawaii
Hawaii Warriors football
The Hawaii Warriors football team represents the University of Hawaii at Mānoa in NCAA Division I FBS college football. The team, which is currently coached by Greg McMackin, is part of the Western Athletic Conference until 2012, when the team joins the Mountain West Conference.The Hawaii Warriors...
.
Fresno State
The Fresno State-San José State RivalryFresno State-San José State Rivalry
The Fresno State–San Jose State football rivalry is an American college football rivalry game played annually between the Fresno State Bulldogs football team of California State University, Fresno and the San Jose State Spartans football team of San Jose State University...
is arguably SJSU's biggest football rivalry. As of 2011, Fresno State leads the series 39–34–3.
Stanford
The near-annual game played between San Jose State and Stanford is titled the Bill Walsh Legacy Game, named after SJSU alumnus Bill Walsh, a two-time Stanford head coach. The teams first played each other in San Jose in 1900. As of 2011, 61 out of the 65 games between SJSU and Stanford were played at Stanford.As of 2011, Stanford leads the series 50–14–1. SJSU's most notable success against Stanford occurred when the Spartans won three consecutive games over the Cardinal from 1981 to 1983, and again from 1998 to 2000. The 1979–1982 series pitted Stanford quarterback John Elway
John Elway
John Albert Elway, Jr. is a former American football quarterback and currently is the executive vice president of football operations for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League . He played college football at Stanford and his entire professional career with the Denver Broncos...
against his father, Jack Elway
Jack Elway
John Albert "Jack" Elway, Sr. was an American football player and head coach; he was the father of John Elway, a Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback.-Early life:...
, who served as the SJSU head football coach from 1979 to 1983.
Hawaii
As of 2011, the series is even at 17–17–1. A 1941 game against Hawaii led the SJSU team to be stranded on the islands and used as military guards.NFL
As of 2010, 110 SJSU Spartans have gone on to play in the NFLNational Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
, and seven former Spartans are actively playing in the NFL. The 110 players include six NFL Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
selections, six first-round draft picks, two MVP award winners, and one NFL Rookie of the Year.
SJSU, Dayton and Arkansas are the only schools to produce two alumni who coached Super Bowl
Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
-winning teams.
Conference championships
From 1969 to 1995, SJSU earned more Big West ConferenceBig West Conference
The Big West Conference is an NCAA-affiliated Division I mid-major college athletic conference. When the conference began in 1969, its name was the Pacific Coast Athletic Association . After nineteen years, in 1988, its name was changed to the Big West Conference. The conference stopped...
football championship titles than any other team in the history of the Big West conference. 1995 was SJSU's final season in the Big West, as the Spartans moved to the WAC in 1996.
- 1932 - Northern California Athletic ConferenceNorthern California Athletic ConferenceThe Northern California Athletic Conference , a former NCAA-affiliated Division II college athletic association that sponsored American football, was formed in 1925...
Co-Champions - 1934 - Northern California Athletic Conference Co-Champions
- 1939 - California Collegiate Athletic AssociationCalifornia Collegiate Athletic AssociationThe California Collegiate Athletic Association or CCAA is an intercollegiate athletic conference in the Division II of the NCAA. All of its current members are public universities, and all except for UC San Diego are members of the California State University system.It was founded in December 1938...
Champions - 1940 - California Collegiate Athletic Association Champions
- 1941 - California Collegiate Athletic Association Co-Champions
- 1946 - California Collegiate Athletic Association Champions
- 1948 - California Collegiate Athletic Association Champions
- 1949 - California Collegiate Athletic Association Champions
- 1975 - Big West ConferenceBig West ConferenceThe Big West Conference is an NCAA-affiliated Division I mid-major college athletic conference. When the conference began in 1969, its name was the Pacific Coast Athletic Association . After nineteen years, in 1988, its name was changed to the Big West Conference. The conference stopped...
Champions - 1976 - Big West Conference Champions
- 1978 - Big West Conference Co-Champions
- 1981 - Big West Conference Champions
- 1986 - Big West Conference Champions
- 1987 - Big West Conference Champions
- 1990 - Big West Conference Champions
- 1991 - Big West Conference Co-Champions
No Team: 1894, 1896–1897, 1901–1920, 1943–1945
Chronology of head coaches
- 1893–1898 James E. Addicott
- 1899 Jess Woods (.643)
- 1900 James E. Addicott (.536) (3 seasons)
- 1900 Fielding H. Yost (1.000) (coached one game)
- 1921–1922 David Wooster (.250)
- 1923 H.C. McDonald (.000)
- 1924–1928 E.R. Knollin (.378)
- 1929–1931 Walter Crawford (.348)
- 1932–1939 Dudley DeGrootDudley DeGrootDudley Sargent "Dud" DeGroot was an American athlete and coach, primarily of American football. He served as the head coach for the NFL's Washington Redskins from 1944 and 1945, tallying a mark of 14–5–1; his winning percentage of .737 is the best in franchise history for coaches with...
(.736) - 1940–1941 Ben Winkleman (.761)
- 1942–1946 Glenn HartranftGlenn HartranftSamuel Glenn "Tiny" Hartranft was an American athlete who competed in the shot put and discus throw....
(.778) - 1946–1949 Bill Hubbard (.761)
- 1950–1956 Robert T. Bronzan (.515)
- 1957–1964 Bob TitchenalBob TitchenalRobert Alden Titchenal was an American college football head coach. From 1953 to 1955, he served as the head football coach at New Mexico, where he compiled a 12–15–1 record. From 1957 to 1964, he was the head football coach at San Jose State, where he compiled a 33–46–1...
(.424) - 1965–1968 Harry Anderson (.333)
- 1969–1970 Joe McMullenJoe McMullen-External links:...
(.231)
- 1970–1972 Dewey King (.339)
- 1973–1975 Darryl RogersDarryl RogersDarryl Dale Rogers is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at California State University, Fresno , San Jose State University , Michigan State University , and Arizona State University , compiling a career college football record of 126–77–7...
(.691) - 1976–1978 Lynn Stiles (.529)
- 1979–1983 Jack ElwayJack ElwayJohn Albert "Jack" Elway, Sr. was an American football player and head coach; he was the father of John Elway, a Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback.-Early life:...
(.634) - 1984–1989 Claude GilbertClaude GilbertClaude Gilbert was an American football coach.After serving as assistant to San Diego State coach Don Coryell for six seasons, Gilbert succeeded him as the Aztecs' head coach in 1973. He compiled a 61-26-2 record and won three conference titles, ranking second in Aztec victories and winning...
(.558) - 1990–1991 Terry SheaTerry SheaTerry Shea is a former college and NFL football coach. Currently, Shea does quarterback consulting work for future NFL draft prospects. Most recently he worked with Sam Bradford , Matthew Stafford and Josh Freeman . From 1964 to 1967, he was one of the quarterbacks on the University of Oregon's...
(.696) - 1992 Ron Turner (.636)
- 1993–1996 John Ralston (.244)
- 1997–2000 Dave Baldwin (.400)
- 2001–2004 Fitz Hill (.298)
- 2005–2009 Dick TomeyDick Tomey-External links:* *...
(.479) - 2010–present Mike MacIntyreMike MacIntyreMike MacIntyre is the head football coach at San Jose State University. Before becoming the Spartans' head coach, he previously served as defensive coordinator for the Duke Blue Devils. MacIntyre was announced as the new head coach at SJSU on December 17, 2009, succeeding the retiring Dick...
Bowl games
University of New Mexico
The University of New Mexico at Albuquerque is a public research university located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the United States. It is the state's flagship research institution...
in the New Mexico Bowl
2006 New Mexico Bowl
The 2006 New Mexico Bowl was a post-season American college football bowl game held on December 23, 2006 at University Stadium on the University of New Mexico campus in Albuquerque as part of the 2006-07 NCAA bowl season. The game, telecast on ESPN, featured the from the WAC and the hometown from...
.
| Year Played | Bowl | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | New Mexico 2006 New Mexico Bowl The 2006 New Mexico Bowl was a post-season American college football bowl game held on December 23, 2006 at University Stadium on the University of New Mexico campus in Albuquerque as part of the 2006-07 NCAA bowl season. The game, telecast on ESPN, featured the from the WAC and the hometown from... |
New Mexico University of New Mexico The University of New Mexico at Albuquerque is a public research university located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the United States. It is the state's flagship research institution... |
Win, 20-12 |
| 1990 | California Raisin California Bowl The California Bowl was a post-season college football bowl game played annually at Bulldog Stadium in Fresno, California, from 1981 to 1991. The games matched the championship teams from the Big West Conference with teams from the Mid-American Conference... |
Central Michigan Central Michigan University Central Michigan University is a public research university located in Mount Pleasant in the U.S. state of Michigan... |
Win, 48–24 |
| 1987 | California California Bowl The California Bowl was a post-season college football bowl game played annually at Bulldog Stadium in Fresno, California, from 1981 to 1991. The games matched the championship teams from the Big West Conference with teams from the Mid-American Conference... |
Eastern Michigan Eastern Michigan University Eastern Michigan University is a comprehensive, co-educational public university located in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Ypsilanti is west of Detroit and eight miles east of Ann Arbor. The university was founded in 1849 as Michigan State Normal School... |
Loss, 27–30 |
| 1986 | California California Bowl The California Bowl was a post-season college football bowl game played annually at Bulldog Stadium in Fresno, California, from 1981 to 1991. The games matched the championship teams from the Big West Conference with teams from the Mid-American Conference... |
Miami University Miami University Miami University is a coeducational public research university located in Oxford, Ohio, United States. Founded in 1809, it is the 10th oldest public university in the United States and the second oldest university in Ohio, founded four years after Ohio University. In its 2012 edition, U.S... |
Win, 37–7 |
| 1981 | California California Bowl The California Bowl was a post-season college football bowl game played annually at Bulldog Stadium in Fresno, California, from 1981 to 1991. The games matched the championship teams from the Big West Conference with teams from the Mid-American Conference... |
Toledo University of Toledo The University of Toledo is a public university in Toledo, Ohio, United States. The Carnegie Foundation classified the university as "Doctoral/Research Extensive."-National recognition:... |
Loss, 25–27 |
| 1971 | Pasadena Pasadena Bowl The Pasadena Bowl, was called the Junior Rose Bowl from 1946–71 and 1976–77. Between 1946–66 and 1976–77, the game pitted the California Junior College football champions vs. The NJCAA football champions for the National Championship. It was organized by the Pasadena Junior... |
Memphis University of Memphis The University of Memphis is an American public research university located in the Normal Station neighborhood of Memphis, Tennessee and is the flagship public research university of the Tennessee Board of Regents system.... |
Loss, 9–28 |
| 1949 | Raisin Raisin Bowl The Raisin Bowl was an annual post-season American college football bowl game played at Ratcliffe Stadium in Fresno, California, from 1946 to 1949. The first four games were played on January 1, the last on December 31. The games pitted a California team against an at-large team... |
Texas Tech Texas Tech Red Raiders The Texas Tech Red Raiders are the athletic teams that represent Texas Tech University . The women's basketball team uses the name Lady Raiders; however, the school's other women's teams use the "Red Raiders" name. The university's athletic program fields teams in 15 varsity sports and 30 club sports... |
Win, 20–13 |
| 1947 | Raisin Raisin Bowl The Raisin Bowl was an annual post-season American college football bowl game played at Ratcliffe Stadium in Fresno, California, from 1946 to 1949. The first four games were played on January 1, the last on December 31. The games pitted a California team against an at-large team... |
Utah State | Win, 20–0 |
Notable players and alumni
- Courtney AndersonCourtney AndersonCourtney Jerome Anderson is a former American football tight end. Born in Greenville, Texas, Anderson attended high school in Richmond, California and played college football at Contra Costa College and San Jose State University. He was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the seventh round of the...
— former NFLNational Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
tight endTight endThe tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
, Atlanta FalconsAtlanta FalconsThe Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
and Oakland RaidersOakland RaidersThe Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - Stacey BaileyStacey BaileyStacey Dwayne Bailey was a wide receiver in the NFL. He played for the Atlanta Falcons throughout his whole career.-High school years:...
— former NFL wide receiverWide receiverA wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
, Atlanta Falcons - Kim BokamperKim BokamperKim Bokamper is a former American Football linebacker who played his entire nine year career with the National Football League Miami Dolphins from 1977 to 1985....
— former NFL linebackerLinebackerA linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
, Miami DolphinsMiami DolphinsThe Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - John BroussardJohn BroussardJohn Broussard is a former American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at San José State.Broussard was a member of the New York Giants Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions...
— NFL wide receiver, Jacksonville JaguarsJacksonville JaguarsThe Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - Gill ByrdGill ByrdGill Arnette Byrd,http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/ByrdGi00.htm is a former professional American football player. He was a two time Pro Bowl cornerback in 1991 and 1992 for the San Diego Chargers after graduating from San Jose State University. He was inducted into the Chargers...
— former NFL defensive backDefensive backIn American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...
, San Diego ChargersSan Diego ChargersThe San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
; two NFL Pro BowlPro BowlIn professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
appearances - Jim CadileJim CadileJames Cadile is a former professional football offensive guard. Cadile played 11 years in the National Football League for the Chicago Bears. He currently resides in Medford, Or....
— former NFL guard, Chicago BearsChicago BearsThe Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... - Matt CasteloMatt CasteloMatt Castelo is a professional American and Canadian football linebacker free agent. He was signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
— former NFL linebackerLinebackerA linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
, Seattle SeahawksSeattle SeahawksThe Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
; former CFLCanadian Football LeagueThe Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
linebacker, Hamilton Tiger-catsHamilton Tiger-CatsThe Hamilton Tiger-Cats are a Canadian Football League team based in Hamilton, Ontario, founded in 1950 with the merger of the Hamilton Tigers and the Hamilton Wildcats. The Tiger-Cats play their home games at Ivor Wynne Stadium... - Steve ClarksonSteve ClarksonSteve Clarkson is an American football coach. He is considered one of the premier quarterback coaches. Clarkson has tutored Ben Roethlisberger, Matt Leinart, J. P...
— nationally renowned quarterbacks coach; founder of Steve Clarkson Dreammaker quarterback camp - Sherman CocroftSherman CocroftSherman Carlson Cocroft is a retired American football defensive back.-College career:Cocroft played college football at San José State University...
— former NFL defensive back, Kansas City ChiefsKansas City ChiefsThe Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a... - Clarence CunninghamClarence CunninghamClarence Cunningham , , is an American football player, currently playing free safety for the Italian Football League's Catania Elephants., and most notably playing for the Af2 Stockton Lightning, from the 2006 to 2009 af2 season where he was a Cutter's Catch of the Week Recipient, as well as an...
— former AFLArena Football LeagueThe Arena Football League is the highest level of professional indoor American football in the United States. It is currently the second longest running professional football league in the United States, after the National Football League. It was founded in 1987 by Jim Foster...
wide receiver, defensive back, running back, and kick returner; former AF2AF2AF2 was the name of the Arena Football League's developmental league; it was founded in 1999 and played its first season in 2000. Like parent AFL, the AF2 played using the same arena football rules and style of play. League seasons ran from April through July with the postseason and ArenaCup...
starter, Stockton LightningStockton LightningThe Stockton Lightning were a professional arena football team. They were members of the Western Division of the National Conferenece of the arenafootball2 .The Lightning joined af2 2006 as an expansion team...
; IFLItalian Football LeagueItalian Football League is an American football league in Italy.-History:It was founded in 2008, taking over previous league's significance...
free safety, Catania ElephantsCatania ElephantsCatania Elephants are a Professional American Football team in Catania, Italy. They currently play in the Italian Football League. The Elephants reached the IFL Super Bowl Championship game in 2010, but lost to the Parma Panthers.-External links:... - Neal DahlenNeal DahlenNeal Dahlen is a retired American football administrator, who worked for San Francisco 49ers , and the Denver Broncos , and was General Manager of the Broncos from 1999 to January 2002....
— former SJSU quarterback, NFL manager and scout; holds the record for the most earned Super BowlSuper BowlThe Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
rings at seven. - Rashied DavisRashied DavisRashied Khalid Davis is an American football wide receiver for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the San Jose SaberCats of the Arena Football League as an undrafted free agent in 2002. He played college football at San José State...
— NFL wide receiver, Chicago Bears - Yonus DavisYonus DavisYonus Davis is a running back and kick returner formerly for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League. A native of Oakland, California, he played college football in San Jose State University and signed as a free agent to the BC Lions in 2010.-High school and college:Born in Oakland,...
— CFL running back, BC Lions - Steve DeBergSteve DeBergSteven Leroy DeBerg had a long career as an American Football quarterback. His career spanned 21 years over 3 decades. Despite the fact that large portions of his career were spent as a backup, DeBerg ultimately accumulated some impressive NFL statistics, particularly during the early 1990s, when...
— former NFL quarterbackQuarterbackQuarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
, Dallas CowboysDallas CowboysThe Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas... - David Diaz-InfanteDavid Diaz-InfanteGustavo David Miguel Diaz-Infante is a former professional American football guard and center and current sports analyst. In the National Football League, he played for the San Diego Chargers, Denver Broncos, and the Philadelphia Eagles...
— former NFL and CFL offensive guard, San Diego ChargersSan Diego ChargersThe San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Denver BroncosDenver BroncosThe Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Philadelphia EaglesPhiladelphia EaglesThe Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, and Sacramento Gold MinersSacramento Gold MinersThe Sacramento Gold Miners were a Canadian football team based in Sacramento, California. The franchise was the first American team in the Canadian Football League. The Gold Miners were originally the "descendants" of the Sacramento Surge from the defunct World League of American Football... - Terry DonahueTerry DonahueTerry Donahue is a former American football, player, coach, and executive and, currently, a football analyst. He served as the head football coach at the University of California, Los Angeles from 1976 to 1995, compiling a record of 151–74–8. From 2001 to 2005, Donahue served as...
— UCLAUniversity of California, Los AngelesThe University of California, Los Angeles is a public research university located in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, USA. It was founded in 1919 as the "Southern Branch" of the University of California and is the second oldest of the ten campuses...
head football coach; College Football Hall of Fame inductee (attended SJSU for one year) - Carl EkernCarl Ekern-Biography:Carl Ekern was born in Richland, Washington. He attended Fremont High School in Sunnyvale, CA. Ekern was a graduate of San Jose State University and played pro football from 1976 to 1988 for the Los Angeles Rams. He died of head injuries on August 1, 1990 when the Jeep he was driving ran...
— former NFL linebacker, Los Angeles Rams; one NFL Pro Bowl appearance - Mervyn FernandezMervyn FernandezMervyn "Swervin' Mervyn" Fernandez is a former professional American and Canadian football player who played wide receiver with the NFL Los Angeles-Oakland Raiders and the Canadian Football League BC Lions....
—former NFL wide receiver, Los Angeles Raiders - Coye FranciesCoye FranciesCoye Francies is an American football cornerback He is currently a free agent . He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the sixth round of the 2009 NFL Draft...
— NFL defensive back, Cleveland BrownsCleveland BrownsThe Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - Jeff GarciaJeff GarciaJeffrey Jason "Jeff" Garcia is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He played college football at San Jose State University....
— NFL quarterback, San Francisco 49ersSan Francisco 49ersThe San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
et al.; four NFL Pro Bowl appearances - Trestin GeorgeTrestin GeorgeTrestin George is a professional American, Canadian and Arena football defensive back who is currently signed to the San Jose SaberCats. He recently played for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League until he requested his release to be closer to his family. He was signed as an undrafted free...
— AFL and CFL wide receiver, San Jose Sabercats and BC Lions - Jarron GilbertJarron GilbertJarron Gilbert is an American football defensive end for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Bears in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football at San Jose State....
- NFL defensive tackle, Chicago Bears - Charlie Harraway — former NFL running back, Washington RedskinsWashington RedskinsThe Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
and Cleveland BrownsCleveland BrownsThe Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - Paul HeldPaul Held-Career:Held was drafted in the nineteenth round of the 1953 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions and later played with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers. He played at the collegiate level at San Jose State University.-References:...
— former NFL quarterback, Pittsburgh SteelersPittsburgh SteelersThe Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
and Green Bay PackersGreen Bay PackersThe Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions... - Willie HestonWillie HestonWilliam Martin "Willie" Heston was an American football player and coach. He played halfback at San Jose State University and the University of Michigan. Heston was the head football coach for Drake University in 1905 and North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, now North...
— former SJSU halfbackHalfback (American football)A halfback, sometimes referred to as a tailback, is an offensive position in American football, which lines up in the backfield and generally is responsible for carrying the ball on run plays. Historically, from the 1870s through the 1950s, the halfback position was both an offensive and defensive...
; College Football Hall of FameCollege Football Hall of FameThe College Football Hall of Fame is a hall of fame and museum devoted to college football. Located in South Bend, Indiana, it is connected to a convention center and situated in the city's renovated downtown district, two miles south of the University of Notre Dame campus. It is slated to move...
inductee (attended SJSU from 1898 to 1900; graduated from University of MichiganUniversity of MichiganThe University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
) - James HodginsJames HodginsJames Hodgins is a free agent fullback with National Football League experience.-High school years:Hodgins attended Oak Grove High School in San Jose, California and lettered in football, basketball, and track....
— former NFL fullback, Saint Louis Rams et al. - Johnny Johnson — former NFL running back, New York JetsNew York JetsThe New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
; one NFL Pro Bowl appearance; consensus choice for Rookie of the Year (1990) - Cody JonesCody JonesCody Jones is a former NFL football player. He is a graduate from San Jose State University who played pro football from 1974–1982 for the Los Angeles Rams.-References:...
— NFL defensive tackle, Los Angeles Rams; one NFL Pro Bowl appearance - James JonesJames Jones (wide receiver)James Deandre Jones is an American football wide receiver with the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Packers in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
— NFL wide receiver, Green Bay PackersGreen Bay PackersThe Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions... - Kevin JurovichKevin JurovichKevin Jurovich is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2010...
— NFL wide receiver, Philadelphia Eagles; San Francisco 49ers - Rick KaneRick KaneRichard James Kane was an American football running back in the National Football League for the Detroit Lions and the Washington Redskins. Kane rushed for 1,486 yards during his NFL career. He played college football at the University of Oregon and San Jose State University. Following his...
— former NFL running back, Detroit LionsDetroit LionsThe Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and... - Bob LadouceurBob LadouceurBob Ladouceur is an American football coach. He began coaching the De La Salle High Spartans in Concord, California in 1979, when he was twenty-five years old. He took over a team that had never enjoyed a winning season since the school's founding in 1965 and turned it into a perennial winner...
— among winningest high school football coaches in U.S. history; coached De La Salle High SpartansDe La Salle High School (Concord, California)De La Salle High School is a Roman Catholic Private school for boys in Concord, California, United States. Located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Oakland, the school was founded in 1965 as a Lasallian institution. De La Salle currently enrolls just over 1,000 students, and roughly 99% of each...
to 151 consecutive wins from 1992 to 2003 - Bill LeavyBill LeavyBill Leavy is an American football official in the National Football League since 1995 and is a retired San Jose, California Police Officer and Firefighter, serving for 27 years. As of the 2006 NFL season, Leavy has been assigned to nine playoff games and two Super Bowls in his NFL officiating...
— NFL referee; officiated Super Bowl XLSuper Bowl XLSuper Bowl XL was an American football game pitting the American Football Conference champion Pittsburgh Steelers against the National Football Conference champion Seattle Seahawks to decide the National Football League champion for the 2005 season... - Dwight LoweryDwight Lowery-2008:Impressed with Lowery's versatility and ball skills, the New York Jets would draft him in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft as a cornerback/safety. An injury to cornerback Justin Miller would see Lowery debut in his first NFL game against the Miami Dolphins; Lowery performed modestly...
— NFL defensive back, New York Jets and two-time All-American at SJSU - Joe NedneyJoe NedneyJoseph Thomas Nedney is an American football placekicker who is currently a free agent. Born and raised in San Jose, California, Nedney played college football at San Jose State and signed as an undrafted player with the Miami Dolphins in 1996...
— NFL kicker, San Francisco 49ers - William Yaw ObengWilliam Yaw ObengWilliam Yaw Obeng is an American football offensive lineman for the Arizona Rattlers of Arena Football 1. He was signed by the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He played college football at San Jose State.Obeng has also been a member of the Oakland Raiders and San Jose...
— Arena Football LeagueArena Football LeagueThe Arena Football League is the highest level of professional indoor American football in the United States. It is currently the second longest running professional football league in the United States, after the National Football League. It was founded in 1987 by Jim Foster...
lineman, San Jose SabercatsSan Jose SaberCatsThe San Jose SaberCats are a professional arena football team in the Arena Football League. They began play as a 1995 expansion team. They played in the Western Division of the American Conference. Their final coach in the original Arena Football League was Darren Arbet, who will be a part of the... - Chris Owens — NFL defensive back, Atlanta FalconsAtlanta FalconsThe Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
- Neil Parry — football; Most Courageous Athlete Award (Philadelphia Sports Writers AssociationPhiladelphia Sports Writers AssociationThe Philadelphia Sports Writers Association was founded on May 12, 1904, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US. The first of what would become an annual Awards Dinner was held on February 15, 1905.-Awards:...
; 2003) - Tom Petithomme — former Arena Football LeagueArena Football LeagueThe Arena Football League is the highest level of professional indoor American football in the United States. It is currently the second longest running professional football league in the United States, after the National Football League. It was founded in 1987 by Jim Foster...
player, San Jose Sabercats - Art PowellArt Powell-Early career:Powell attended and played high school football at San Diego High School and played college football at San José State University.-Professional career:...
— NFL wide receiver, Oakland RaidersOakland RaidersThe Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
; Raiders' 7th all-time leading receiver - Waylon PratherWaylon PratherWaylon Prather is an American football punter who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
— former NFL punter, New Orleans SaintsNew Orleans SaintsThe New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
, New York Jets and Arizona CardinalsArizona CardinalsThe Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... - David RichmondDavid RichmondDavid Richmond Major from Rhode Island in the American Revolutionary War.-Early years:Richmond was born in Taunton, Massachusetts the son of Seth Richmond a Mayflower Descendant...
— former NFL wide receiver, Cincinnati BengalsCincinnati BengalsThe Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL... - Scott RislovScott RislovScott Rislov is an American football quarterback most recently playing in the Arena Football League for the San Jose SaberCats in 2008.- High School career:...
— Arena Football LeagueArena Football LeagueThe Arena Football League is the highest level of professional indoor American football in the United States. It is currently the second longest running professional football league in the United States, after the National Football League. It was founded in 1987 by Jim Foster...
quarterback, San Jose SabercatsSan Jose SaberCatsThe San Jose SaberCats are a professional arena football team in the Arena Football League. They began play as a 1995 expansion team. They played in the Western Division of the American Conference. Their final coach in the original Arena Football League was Darren Arbet, who will be a part of the... - Al SaundersAl SaundersAl Saunders is the current offensive coordinator for the Oakland Raiders.-Early life and playing career:Born in London, England, he became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1960, and is one of four foreign-born coaches in the NFL...
— former NFL head coach for the San Diego ChargersSan Diego ChargersThe San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - Rufus SkillernRufus SkillernRufus Skillern is a professional Canadian football wide receiver free agent. He was signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2006. He played college football for the San Jose State Spartans....
— CFL and NFL wide receiver, BC LionsBC LionsThe BC Lions are a professional Canadian football team competing in the West Division of Canadian Football League . Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, the Lions play their home games at BC Place Stadium in Downtown Vancouver, having previously played at Empire Stadium in East Vancouver from 1954...
and Baltimore RavensBaltimore RavensThe Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his... - Gerald SmallGerald SmallGerald Small is a former professional American football player who played cornerback for seven seasons for the Miami Dolphins and Atlanta Falcons....
— former NFL defensive back, Miami Dolphins - Carl SullivanCarl Sullivan-Career:Sullivan played with the Green Bay Packers during the 1987 NFL season. He played at the collegiate level at San Jose State University.-References:...
— former NFL defensive end, Green Bay PackersGreen Bay PackersThe Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions... - Adam TafralisAdam TafralisAdam Tafralis is an American quarterback who currently a free agent. He was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
— CFL quarterback, Hamilton Tiger-CatsHamilton Tiger-CatsThe Hamilton Tiger-Cats are a Canadian Football League team based in Hamilton, Ontario, founded in 1950 with the merger of the Hamilton Tigers and the Hamilton Wildcats. The Tiger-Cats play their home games at Ivor Wynne Stadium... - Tyson ThompsonTyson ThompsonTyson Calvin Thompson is a gridiron football running back who is currently a member of the Allen Wranglers of the Indoor Football League. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He played college football at San Jose State.-Early years:Thompson played high school...
—NFL kick returner, Dallas Cowboys - Bob TitchenalBob TitchenalRobert Alden Titchenal was an American college football head coach. From 1953 to 1955, he served as the head football coach at New Mexico, where he compiled a 12–15–1 record. From 1957 to 1964, he was the head football coach at San Jose State, where he compiled a 33–46–1...
— former NFL linebacker, Washington Redskins and Los Angeles DonsLos Angeles DonsThe Los Angeles Dons were an American football team in the now defunct All-America Football Conference from 1946 to 1949 that played in the Los Angeles Coliseum....
; one Pro Bowl appearance; former head football coach, University of New MexicoUniversity of New MexicoThe University of New Mexico at Albuquerque is a public research university located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the United States. It is the state's flagship research institution...
and SJSU - Dick VermeilDick VermeilRichard Albert "Dick" Vermeil is a former American head coach for the National Football League's Philadelphia Eagles , St. Louis Rams and Kansas City Chiefs...
— NFL head coach; winning coach, Super Bowl XXXIVSuper Bowl XXXIVSuper Bowl XXXIV featured the National Football Conference champion St. Louis Rams and the American Football Conference champion Tennessee Titans in an American football game to decide the National Football League champion for the 1999 regular season... - Bill WalshBill Walsh (football coach)William Ernest "Bill" Walsh was a head coach for the San Francisco 49ers and Stanford Cardinal football team, during which time he popularized the West Coast offense....
— NFL head coach; winning coach, Super Bowl XVISuper Bowl XVISuper Bowl XVI was an American football game played on January 24, 1982, at the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan to decide the National Football League champion following the 1981 regular season. It marked the first time that a Super Bowl was held at a cold-weather city...
, Super Bowl XIXSuper Bowl XIXSuper Bowl XIX was an American football game played on January 20, 1985 at Stanford Stadium, on the campus of Stanford University in Stanford, California, to decide the National Football League champion following the 1984 regular season...
, and Super Bowl XXIIISuper Bowl XXIIISuper Bowl XXIII was an American football game played on January 22, 1989 at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami, Florida to decide the National Football League champion following the 1988 regular season. This was the first Super Bowl hosted in the Miami area in 10 years, and the first in Miami not held...
; Pro Football Hall of FamePro Football Hall of FameThe Pro Football Hall of Fame is the hall of fame of professional football in the United States with an emphasis on the National Football League . It opened in Canton, Ohio, on September 7, 1963, with 17 charter inductees...
inductee - Gerald WillhiteGerald WillhiteGerald William Willhite is a former professional American football player who was selected by the Denver Broncos in the first round of the 1982 NFL Draft. A 5'10", 210-lb. running back from San José State University, Willhite played for the Broncos from 1982 to 1988...
— former NFL running back, Denver BroncosDenver BroncosThe Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - Billy WilsonBilly Wilson (American football)Billy Wilson was an American football wide receiver who played for the San Francisco 49ers from 1951 to 1960...
— former NFL receiver, San Francisco 49ers; six NFL Pro Bowl appearances - Louis Wright — former NFL defensive back, Denver Broncos; 1st round NFL draftNFL DraftThe National Football League Draft is an annual event in which the National Football League teams select eligible college football players and it is their most common source of player recruitment. The basic design of the draft is each team is given a position in the drafting order in reverse order...
pick; five NFL Pro Bowl appearances - Roy ZimmermanRoy Zimmerman (American football)Henry LeRoy Zimmerman Jr. was an American football player who played running back and quarterback in the National Football League from 1940 to 1948.-Early life:...
— former NFL quarterback, Washington Redskins; one Pro Bowl appearance