What Is 2016 Lehigh Mountain Hawks football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2016 Lehigh Mountain Hawks football team represented Lehigh University in the 2016 NCAA Division I FCS football season, finishing with a 9-3 overall record and winning the Patriot League title with a 6-0 conference record.

Key Facts

2016 Lehigh Mountain Hawks finished the season with a 9-3 overall record
The team won the Patriot League championship with a perfect 6-0 conference record
Lehigh defeated archrival Lafayette 21-14 in the 158th meeting of The Rivalry
Head coach Andy Coen led the team to its fifth Patriot League title
The Hawks advanced to the FCS playoffs but lost 35-7 to Youngstown State in the first round

Overview

The 2016 Lehigh Mountain Hawks football season marked one of the most successful campaigns in program history. Competing in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), the team represented Lehigh University in the Patriot League and captured the conference title outright.

Under the leadership of head coach Andy Coen, the Mountain Hawks achieved a 9-3 overall record and a perfect 6-0 mark in league play. Their success culminated in a Patriot League championship and an automatic bid to the FCS playoffs, where they faced Youngstown State in the first round.

9-3 overall record: The team won nine games, their highest total since 2010, and advanced to the FCS playoffs for the fifth time under Coen.
Patriot League champions: Lehigh secured the title with a flawless 6-0 conference record, the first time they went undefeated in league play since 2010.
Defeated Lafayette 21-14: In the 158th meeting of The Rivalry, Lehigh won at Yankee Stadium, extending their dominance in the nation’s most-played college football rivalry.
FCS playoff appearance: The Hawks earned an automatic bid after winning the Patriot League but were eliminated in the first round with a 35-7 loss to Youngstown State.
Offensive strength: Led by quarterback Nick Shafnisky, the team averaged 30.6 points per game and ranked among the top offenses in the FCS.

How It Works

The 2016 season showcased how Lehigh’s program executed its strategy across offense, defense, and special teams. Each unit played a defined role in securing the Patriot League title and playoff berth.

Offensive system: Lehigh utilized a spread-option offense emphasizing quick passes and zone-read runs. This system maximized quarterback mobility and ball control.
Defensive scheme: The team ran a 4-2-5 base defense, allowing flexibility against both run-heavy and pass-oriented opponents throughout the Patriot League.
Special teams: Kicker Luke Napolitan made 10 of 13 field goals, providing reliable scoring in tight conference matchups.
Coaching leadership: Andy Coen, in his ninth season, became the winningest coach in program history, guiding the team to five Patriot League titles.
Recruiting pipeline: The roster included key contributors from Pennsylvania and New Jersey, leveraging regional talent and academic incentives.
Strength and conditioning: The program emphasized year-round training, contributing to a low injury rate and strong second-half performances.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the 2016 Lehigh Mountain Hawks compared to other top Patriot League teams and FCS playoff qualifiers:

Team	Overall Record	Patriot League Record	Points For	Playoff Result
Lehigh	9-3	6-0	367	Lost in first round
Colgate	6-6	3-3	298	Did not qualify
Lafayette	4-7	2-4	217	Did not qualify
Yale (Ivy)	9-1	N/A	357	Lost in second round
Youngstown State	9-4	N/A	312	Lost in quarterfinals

The table highlights Lehigh’s dominance within the Patriot League, where they were the only team with a perfect conference record. While Yale had a stronger overall record, Lehigh’s playoff berth underscored their conference supremacy. Their loss to Youngstown State, a strong FCS program, was expected given the opponent’s experience in deep playoff runs.

Why It Matters

The 2016 season was a milestone for Lehigh football, reinforcing the program’s competitiveness in the FCS and enhancing its reputation for developing student-athletes. The championship season also boosted alumni engagement and recruitment for both athletics and academics.

Program prestige: Winning the Patriot League elevated Lehigh’s national profile and validated years of consistent development under Coach Coen.
Recruiting boost: Success in 2016 helped attract higher-caliber recruits in subsequent seasons, particularly in quarterback and defensive back positions.
Alumni support: The championship season led to increased donations and attendance at games, strengthening long-term financial stability.
Student morale: A winning season improved campus spirit and engagement, especially among undergraduate students.
Legacy of The Rivalry: Defeating Lafayette at Yankee Stadium added a historic chapter to the nation’s longest-running college football series.
Pathway to FCS success: The season demonstrated that mid-major programs can compete through disciplined coaching and strategic resource allocation.

Overall, the 2016 Lehigh Mountain Hawks season stands as a benchmark for excellence in Patriot League football, combining athletic achievement with academic tradition and community pride.