What Is 2016 Norfolk State Spartans football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2016 Norfolk State Spartans football team represented Norfolk State University during the 2016 NCAA Division I FCS season, finishing with a 4–7 overall record under head coach Latrell Scott. They competed in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), going 3–5 in conference play, and played their home games at William G. Truesdale Stadium.

Key Facts

The 2016 Norfolk State Spartans finished the season with a 4–7 overall record
They posted a 3–5 record in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) play
Head coach Latrell Scott led the team in his second season
The Spartans played home games at William G. Truesdale Stadium in Norfolk, Virginia
Quarterback Malcolm Jones started most games, throwing for 1,876 yards and 10 touchdowns

Overview

The 2016 Norfolk State Spartans football team represented Norfolk State University in the 2016 NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) season. Competing as a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), the Spartans aimed to improve on their previous season’s performance under second-year head coach Latrell Scott.

Despite a challenging schedule, the team showed moments of offensive promise but struggled with consistency on both sides of the ball. Their final record reflected a season of transition and development, particularly on defense, which allowed an average of 31.3 points per game.

The Spartans finished the 2016 season with a 4–7 overall record, marking a slight improvement from their 3–8 record in 2015.
They went 3–5 in MEAC conference play, placing them in the lower half of the league standings and missing out on postseason eligibility.
Head coach Latrell Scott was in his second season, having taken over the program in 2015 after a successful stint as offensive coordinator at Virginia.
Home games were played at William G. Truesdale Stadium, a 30,000-seat venue in Norfolk, Virginia, which has served as the team’s home since 1997.
Quarterback Malcolm Jones started 10 games, completing 58% of his passes for 1,876 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions.

How It Works

The 2016 season followed the standard NCAA FCS football structure, with a mix of non-conference and conference games determining postseason eligibility and conference standings.

Season Duration: The FCS regular season ran from September to November 2016, with the Spartans playing 11 games over 13 weeks. The season began on September 3 with a loss to North Carolina Central.
Conference Play: MEAC teams played an eight-game conference schedule; Norfolk State faced teams like South Carolina State, Howard, and Bethune-Cookman in league matchups.
Postseason Eligibility: To qualify for the FCS playoffs, teams must have a winning record and typically win their conference; the Spartans’ 4–7 record made them ineligible.
Recruiting Impact: The 2016 class included 24 new players, many from Virginia and North Carolina, aimed at strengthening the secondary and offensive line.
Defensive Performance: The defense allowed 31.3 points per game, struggling particularly in losses to North Carolina A&T and Delaware State.
Offensive Scheme: The Spartans ran a spread-option offense under coordinator Chris Walker, emphasizing quarterback mobility and short-yardage efficiency.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2016 Spartans compared to key MEAC rivals and the conference average:

Team	Overall Record	MEAC Record	Points For	Points Against
Norfolk State	4–7	3–5	24.1/game	31.3/game
North Carolina A&T	9–3	7–1	35.6/game	21.4/game
South Carolina State	7–5	6–2	28.3/game	23.1/game
Howard	5–6	4–4	26.8/game	29.7/game
MEAC Average	5.1–5.9	4.2–3.8	26.4/game	27.9/game

The Spartans ranked below the MEAC average in both scoring and defense, highlighting areas for improvement. While they outperformed Howard in wins, their point differential was nearly identical, suggesting similar competitive levels.

Why It Matters

The 2016 season was a transitional year that laid the groundwork for future development at Norfolk State, both in recruiting and coaching continuity. Despite missing the playoffs, the team gained valuable experience that would influence future seasons.

Player Development: Several underclassmen, including linebacker Deon King, saw increased playing time and emerged as future team leaders.
Coaching Evaluation: The season served as a second data point for Latrell Scott, whose performance was under scrutiny after two sub-.500 seasons.
Recruiting Momentum: The 2016 class helped stabilize the roster, with 12 signees contributing immediately due to attrition.
Facility Investment: Continued use of Truesdale Stadium highlighted the need for future upgrades to remain competitive in the MEAC.
Conference Rivalries: Games against South Carolina State and North Carolina A&T drew strong attendance and media coverage, boosting visibility.
Long-Term Strategy: The program focused on building a stronger defense and improving turnover margin, which was –6 in 2016.

While the 2016 season did not yield a winning record, it provided critical insights for Norfolk State’s football program as it worked toward greater competitiveness in the MEAC.