What Is 2016 Holy Cross Crusaders football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2016 Holy Cross Crusaders football team represented the College of the Holy Cross during the 2016 NCAA Division I FCS season, finishing with a 6–5 record under head coach Tom Gilmore. They competed in the Patriot League and played home games at Fitton Field in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Key Facts

The 2016 Holy Cross Crusaders finished the season with a 6–5 overall record
Head coach Tom Gilmore led the team in his 10th season at Holy Cross
The Crusaders played their home games at Fitton Field in Worcester, MA
They were members of the Patriot League in NCAA Division I FCS
Quarterback Dan Sheehan started most games, throwing for 1,557 yards and 11 touchdowns

Overview

The 2016 Holy Cross Crusaders football team represented the College of the Holy Cross in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). Competing as a member of the Patriot League, the team was led by tenth-year head coach Tom Gilmore and played its home games at Fitton Field in Worcester, Massachusetts.

The season marked a rebuilding year for the Crusaders, who finished with a 6–5 overall record and a 4–2 conference mark. Despite not qualifying for the FCS playoffs, the team showed improvement in key offensive areas and developed several young players for future seasons.

Record: The Crusaders ended the 2016 season with a 6–5 overall record and a 4–2 record in Patriot League play.
Head Coach: Tom Gilmore served as head coach in his 10th season, overseeing a transition phase in the program’s development.
Home Stadium: All home games were played at Fitton Field, a historic on-campus venue with a capacity of approximately 3,700.
Offensive Leader: Quarterback Dan Sheehan started 10 games, throwing for 1,557 yards and 11 touchdowns with 7 interceptions.
Defensive Highlight: Linebacker Donnie Stone recorded 89 total tackles, leading the team in defensive stops during the season.

How It Works

The 2016 season structure followed the standard NCAA Division I FCS model, with a 12-game regular season schedule primarily focused on Patriot League competition and non-conference matchups. The team’s performance was shaped by coaching decisions, player development, and scheduling dynamics.

Season Format: The FCS season includes a 12-week regular schedule; the Crusaders played 11 games, missing one due to a cancellation.
Conference Play: Patriot League games determined standings and playoff eligibility, with Holy Cross finishing third in the final standings.
Roster Composition: The team relied heavily on underclassmen, with 18 starters underclassmen or first-time starters in 2016.
Recruiting Impact: The 2016 recruiting class included 22 new players, many of whom contributed immediately on special teams or defense.
Game Strategy: Holy Cross utilized a balanced offensive attack, averaging 26.5 points per game and 353.2 yards of total offense.
Injury Management: Key injuries to the offensive line disrupted continuity, limiting consistency in the running game throughout the season.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2016 Holy Cross Crusaders are best understood in comparison to recent seasons and peer institutions in the Patriot League. Below is a performance comparison across key metrics.

Team	Year	Overall Record	Conference Record	Points Per Game
Holy Cross	2016	6–5	4–2	26.5
Holy Cross	2015	5–6	4–2	24.1
Lehigh	2016	9–3	6–0	33.8
Lafayette	2016	4–7	2–4	20.9
Bucknell	2016	6–5	4–2	27.1

The table illustrates that Holy Cross performed on par with conference rivals like Bucknell and Lafayette but fell short of Lehigh, the league champion. While scoring improved slightly from 2015, the team lacked the consistency needed for a playoff berth. The non-conference schedule included tough matchups against FBS-level competition, which impacted the win-loss record but provided valuable experience.

Why It Matters

The 2016 season was a transitional year that laid the foundation for future success at Holy Cross, particularly in player development and coaching strategy. Though not a championship contender, the season provided critical growth opportunities for emerging talent.

Player Development: Several underclassmen gained starting experience, including future standout quarterback Dan Sheehan, who improved throughout the season.
Recruiting Momentum: Competitive performances helped the program attract higher-rated recruits in subsequent years, boosting roster depth.
Conference Relevance: A 4–2 league record kept Holy Cross competitive in the Patriot League standings despite missing the playoffs.
Facility Investment: Continued use of Fitton Field highlighted the need for future upgrades to remain competitive in FCS football.
Alumni Engagement: Strong home attendance supported fundraising efforts and strengthened community ties to the football program.
Program Trajectory: The 2016 season set the stage for improved results in 2017 and beyond, including a conference title in 2019.

Overall, the 2016 Holy Cross Crusaders season was a modest but important chapter in the long-term rebuilding of the football program, emphasizing youth, resilience, and future potential.