What Is 1986 UC Davis Aggies football team

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 1986 UC Davis Aggies football team represented the University of California, Davis in the NCAA Division II football season, finishing with a 7-3 record under head coach Bob Foster. They competed in the Northern California Athletic Conference (NCAC) and advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs, where they lost in the first round.

Key Facts

The 986 UC Davis Aggies finished the season with a 7-3 overall record
Head coach Bob Foster led the team during his 12th season at UC Davis
The Aggies competed in the Northern California Athletic Conference (NCAC)
They qualified for the NCAA Division II playoffs but lost in the first round
UC Davis played their home games at Toomey Field in Davis, California

Overview

The 1986 UC Davis Aggies football team represented the University of California, Davis in the NCAA Division II football season. Competing in the Northern California Athletic Conference (NCAC), the Aggies were led by head coach Bob Foster, who was in his 12th year at the helm. The team demonstrated strong performance during the regular season, finishing with a 7-3 overall record and securing a spot in the NCAA Division II playoffs.

Despite a solid showing, the Aggies were eliminated in the first round of the postseason. Their home games were played at Toomey Field, a historic on-campus stadium in Davis, California. The 1986 season reflected UC Davis's growing competitiveness in Division II football during the 1980s, building momentum for future success.

Record: The Aggies finished the 1986 season with a 7-3 overall record, showcasing consistent performance throughout the regular season.
Conference: They competed in the Northern California Athletic Conference (NCAC), a competitive Division II league during the 1980s.
Head Coach:Bob Foster, in his 12th season, continued to build the program’s reputation through disciplined coaching and player development.
Postseason: The team qualified for the NCAA Division II playoffs but was eliminated in the first round after a loss to a higher-seeded opponent.
Home Field: UC Davis played home games at Toomey Field, a 10,756-seat stadium located on campus in Davis, California.

How It Works

The 1986 UC Davis Aggies football season operated within the structure of NCAA Division II athletics, balancing competitive play with academic standards. As a member of the NCAC, the team followed conference scheduling and qualification rules for postseason play.

Division II Structure: NCAA Division II emphasizes regional competition and balanced athletics-academics, differing from the larger-scale operations of Division I.
Season Format: The 1986 season included a 10- to 11-game schedule, combining conference and non-conference opponents across California and the West.
Playoff Qualification: Teams earned postseason berths based on conference standings and national rankings, with only top teams advancing.
Roster Size: UC Davis fielded approximately 85 players, typical for Division II programs with scholarship limits.
Scholarships: Division II allows partial athletic scholarships, with UC Davis operating under financial and NCAA compliance guidelines.
Coaching Staff: Head coach Bob Foster led a staff of 6-8 assistants, managing offense, defense, and special teams units.

Comparison at a Glance

The following table compares the 1986 UC Davis Aggies with other notable Division II teams from that season:

Team	Overall Record	Conference	Postseason Result	Head Coach
UC Davis Aggies	7-3	NCAC	First Round Exit	Bob Foster
North Dakota State	9-2	NCC	Quarterfinals	Don Morton
Tennessee-Martin	10-2	GSC	Semifinals	Steve Loy
UC Davis (1985)	8-2	NCAC	Did Not Qualify	Bob Foster
UC Davis (1987)	9-2	NCAC	First Round Exit	Bob Foster

The 1986 Aggies fit into a broader context of UC Davis's mid-1980s football development. While not reaching the semifinals like Tennessee-Martin, they remained competitive within Division II. Their performance was consistent with prior and subsequent seasons under Bob Foster, showing gradual improvement. The team's playoff appearance underscored UC Davis's rising status in Division II football, even as they faced stiffer national competition.

Why It Matters

The 1986 UC Davis Aggies season holds significance in the broader narrative of the program’s evolution and its role in Division II football history. It highlighted the team's ability to compete at a high level while maintaining academic integrity, a hallmark of Division II athletics.

Program Growth: The 1986 season contributed to UC Davis’s long-term development, eventually leading to their transition to Division I FCS in 2007.
Coaching Legacy: Bob Foster’s leadership through the 1980s helped establish a winning culture that influenced future coaches and players.
Player Development: Many Aggies from this era went on to careers in coaching or professional semi-pro leagues, showcasing athletic and personal growth.
Community Engagement: Home games at Toomey Field strengthened town-gown relationships and boosted local school spirit.
Historical Benchmark: The 7-3 record served as a measuring stick for evaluating future team performance and progress.
Division II Identity: The season exemplified the competitive balance and regional focus that define NCAA Division II philosophy.

The 1986 UC Davis Aggies football team may not have won a national title, but their season remains a meaningful chapter in the university’s athletic history. It reflected dedication, resilience, and the values of collegiate sports at the Division II level.