What Is 2009 San Jose State Spartans football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2009 San Jose State Spartans football team represented San Jose State University in the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with a 2–10 record under head coach Dick Tomey. They played their home games at Spartan Stadium and competed in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). The team was led by quarterback Adam Tautges and struggled defensively, allowing an average of 38.2 points per game.

Key Facts

The 2009 San Jose State Spartans finished with a 2–10 overall record.
Head coach Dick Tomey retired after the season, ending his 5-year tenure.
They played in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) and went 1–7 in conference games.
The team allowed an average of 38.2 points per game, ranking among the worst nationally.
Quarterback Adam Tautges started all 12 games, throwing for 1,729 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Overview

The 2009 San Jose State Spartans football team represented San Jose State University during the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Competing in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC), the Spartans struggled under head coach Dick Tomey, who concluded his tenure after five seasons with the program.

The team played its home games at Spartan Stadium in San Jose, California, and faced a challenging schedule that included several Power Five opponents. Despite flashes of offensive potential, the Spartans were hampered by defensive shortcomings and an inconsistent running game throughout the season.

Record: The Spartans finished the season with a 2–10 overall record, their worst mark since 2005, reflecting significant struggles on both sides of the ball.
Conference performance: In WAC play, San Jose State went 1–7, with their only conference win coming against New Mexico State by a score of 38–31.
Head coach: Dick Tomey, who had led the team since 2005, announced his retirement after the season, ending a storied 40-year coaching career.
Defensive struggles: The Spartans allowed an average of 38.2 points per game, ranking 118th out of 120 FBS teams in points allowed.
Offensive leadership: Quarterback Adam Tautges started all 12 games, throwing for 1,729 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions.

Season Performance

The 2009 campaign was marked by offensive inconsistency and defensive breakdowns, with the Spartans failing to win consecutive games at any point during the season.

Season opener: San Jose State opened with a 35–27 loss to Washington State, a team that also finished with a losing record, highlighting missed opportunities.
Homecoming win: The Spartans secured their first win on October 17, defeating New Mexico State 38–31, snapping a 10-game losing streak dating back to 2008.
Running game: The team averaged only 103.6 rushing yards per game, with Deonce Whitaker leading the way with 503 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Pass defense: The Spartans allowed opposing quarterbacks to throw for an average of 274.3 passing yards per game, one of the worst in the nation.
Turnovers: San Jose State committed 28 turnovers during the season, including 17 interceptions thrown by Tautges, which stifled scoring drives.
Final game: The season ended with a 35–7 loss to Fresno State, marking their sixth consecutive defeat to their Central Valley rivals.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the 2009 Spartans compared to other WAC teams in key statistical categories:

Team	Overall Record	WAC Record	Points Per Game	Points Allowed
Boise State	10–3	7–1	39.2	17.8
Texas Christian	12–1	8–0	32.3	13.5
Hawaii	6–7	3–4	32.8	31.2
Fresno State	8–5	6–2	30.5	26.4
San Jose State	2–10	1–7	18.5	38.2

The table illustrates the significant gap between San Jose State and the rest of the WAC in 2009. While powerhouses like TCU and Boise State dominated both offensively and defensively, the Spartans ranked last in scoring and second-worst in points allowed. Their offensive output of 18.5 points per game was insufficient to compete, and defensive lapses often led to second-half collapses.

Why It Matters

The 2009 season was a pivotal moment for the San Jose State football program, marking the end of the Dick Tomey era and setting the stage for a rebuilding phase under new leadership.

Coaching transition: Tomey’s retirement led to the hiring of Mike MacIntyre in 2010, who would later revitalize the program by 2012.
Program morale: The 2–10 record underscored the need for major changes in recruiting, player development, and defensive strategy.
Recruiting impact: Poor performance in 2009 made it harder to attract top-tier talent, though the program gradually improved under new staff.
Stadium legacy: Spartan Stadium, their home since 1933, remained a point of pride despite declining attendance and on-field struggles.
Conference realignment: The WAC’s instability in the early 2010s was reflected in San Jose State’s challenges, eventually leading to their move to the Mountain West in 2013.
Historical context: The 2009 season is remembered as a low point before a turnaround, highlighting how leadership and culture shifts can transform a struggling team.

The 2009 season, while disappointing, provided critical lessons that helped shape the future direction of San Jose State football, ultimately contributing to a more competitive program in subsequent years.