What Is 2004 San Jose State Spartans football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2004 San Jose State Spartans football team represented San Jose State University in the 2004 NCAA Division I-A football season, finishing with a 2–10 record under head coach Fitz Hill. The team played its home games at Spartan Stadium and competed in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). Key players included quarterback Adam Tafralis and linebacker Travis Johnson.

Key Facts

The 2004 San Jose State Spartans finished with a 2–10 overall record
Fitz Hill was head coach from 2001 to 2004, compiling a 15–35 record
The team played home games at Spartan Stadium in San Jose, California
Quarterback Adam Tafralis started all 12 games and threw for 2,134 yards
The Spartans were members of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) in 2004

Overview

The 2004 San Jose State Spartans football team represented San Jose State University during the 2004 NCAA Division I-A football season. Competing in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC), the Spartans struggled throughout the year, finishing with a 2–10 overall record and a 2–6 mark in conference play.

Under the leadership of head coach Fitz Hill, who concluded his tenure after the season, the team faced challenges on both offense and defense. Despite limited success on the scoreboard, the season laid groundwork for future program development and featured emerging talent that would contribute in subsequent years.

Record: The Spartans finished the 2004 season with a 2–10 overall record, their worst performance since 1999, reflecting ongoing rebuilding efforts under Hill.
Head Coach:Fitz Hill coached the team from 2001 to 2004, stepping down after the season with a cumulative 15–35 record and a 7–29 mark in conference games.
Home Venue: All home games were played at Spartan Stadium, a 30,456-seat facility located on the university's campus in San Jose, California.
Conference: As members of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC), the Spartans competed against teams like Hawaii, Boise State, and Fresno State.
Key Player: Quarterback Adam Tafralis started all 12 games, throwing for 2,134 yards and 10 touchdowns, emerging as a cornerstone for future seasons.

Season Performance

The 2004 campaign was marked by offensive inconsistency and defensive struggles, with the Spartans averaging just 19.3 points per game while allowing 34.7. Several close losses highlighted competitive effort despite the poor record.

Opening Game: The Spartans opened with a 38–10 loss to Washington State, a Pac-10 team, setting a difficult tone for the season.
First Win: San Jose State secured its first victory on September 18 with a 24–21 win over Sacramento State, an FCS opponent.
WAC Victory: The team earned its only conference win on October 16, defeating Utah State 35–34 in a narrow road victory.
Defensive Leader: Linebacker Travis Johnson recorded 112 tackles, the highest on the team, and added 3.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.
Offensive Struggles: The offense averaged only 318.2 total yards per game, ranking near the bottom nationally in multiple statistical categories.
Final Game: The season concluded with a 42–10 loss to New Mexico in the New Mexico Bowl, marking the program’s first-ever bowl appearance despite the defeat.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the 2004 season compared to other recent Spartans campaigns in terms of key performance metrics:

Season	Overall Record	WAC Record	Head Coach	Bowl Game
2004	2–10	2–6	Fitz Hill	New Mexico Bowl (L)
2003	3–9	3–5	Fitz Hill	None
2002	5–7	4–4	Fitz Hill	None
2001	3–8	2–6	Fitz Hill	None
2000	1–10	1–7	Dirk Koetter	None

The 2004 season, while disappointing in terms of wins, was notable for the team’s bowl eligibility and appearance, a rare achievement during this era. Despite finishing last in the WAC standings, the Spartans showed incremental progress compared to the 2000 season under Koetter. The data reveals a program in transition, with Hill’s final year marking both continued struggles and a glimmer of hope through bowl participation.

Why It Matters

The 2004 season, though statistically underwhelming, holds significance in the broader narrative of San Jose State football’s evolution. It represented the end of an era with Fitz Hill’s departure and set the stage for future improvements under new leadership.

Coaching Transition: Fitz Hill’s resignation after 2004 opened the door for Dick Tomey, a respected coach who revitalized the program starting in 2005.
Bowl Appearance: The New Mexico Bowl marked the Spartans’ first bowl game since 1990, a milestone despite the lopsided loss.
Player Development: Quarterback Adam Tafralis gained critical experience in 2004, later leading the team to an 8–5 record in 2006.
Program Momentum: The 2004 season, while a losing campaign, contributed to rebuilding efforts that culminated in a WAC Championship in 2012.
Recruiting Impact: Visibility from bowl participation helped attract higher-caliber recruits in subsequent years, improving team depth.
Historical Context: The season is remembered as a low point before a turnaround, illustrating the challenges of mid-major program development.

While the 2004 San Jose State Spartans did not achieve on-field success, their season remains a pivotal chapter in the team’s history. It underscores the importance of perseverance and long-term planning in college football, where short-term struggles can precede future triumphs.