The 2016 Emporia State Hornets football team represented Emporia State University in the 2016 NCAA Division II football season. The Hornets played their home games on the newly-renovated Jones Field at Francis G. Welch Stadium in Emporia, Kansas, as they have done since 1937. 2016 was the 119th season in school history. The Hornets were led by head coach Garin Higgins, finished his 15th overall season, and 10th overall at Emporia State. Emporia State has a member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association since 1991.
Schedule
Preseason The Hornets entereded the 2016 season after finishing with an 11–3 overalla and 9–2 in conference play the previous season under Higgins. On August 2, 2016 at the MIAA Football Media Day, the Hornets were chosen to finish tied for third place in the Coaches Poll, and fourth in the Media Poll.
Sporting News released their Top-25 on May 25, 2016, landing Emporia State at No. 24. On June 15, 2016, Lindy's NCAA Division II Preseason Top 25 released its poll, ranking Emporia State at #12.
On August 15, the American Football Coaches Association released the Preseason Division II Poll, landing Emporia State at #24.
On August 22, D2football.com released its Top 25 poll, ranking Emporia State 12th.
Game summaries Northwest Missouri State
Nebraska–Kearney
Missouri Southern
Central Missouri
Central Oklahoma
Northeastern State
Lindenwood
Pittsburg State
Fort Hays State
Missouri Western
Washburn
Minnesota–Duluth—NCAA Division II First Round
For the first time in school history, Emporia State was selected to host an NCAA postseason football game.
Northwest Missouri State—NCAA Division II Second Round
Personnel Coaching staff Along with Higgins, there were 10 assistants. Garin Higgins Head coach 10 Emporia State (1992) Mike LoPorto Co-defensive coordinator/defensive line coach 9 Emporia State (2007) Bryan Nardo Co-defensive coordinator/linebackers Coach 5 Ohio (2008) Matt Nardo Off. coordinator/recruiting Coord./Inside & H-backs/Receivers coach 2 Ohio (2005) Nathan Linsey Secondary/special teams coordinator 5 Emporia State (2010) Justin Wieser Running backs/Strength and Conditioning 4 Emporia State (2010) Tony Koehling Offensive line coach 2 Ohio (2013) Terence Coleman Outside Receivers 4 Northwestern Oklahoma State (2000) Daniel Goodman Graduate Assistant – Tight ends coach 2 Emporia State (2014) Antwan Crutcher Graduate Assistant – Defensive line 1 Ohio (2015) Daniel Siehndel Graduate Assistant – Defensive backs 1 Southeast Missouri State (2015) Reference:
Roster
References