What Is 2019 San Diego Toreros football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2019 San Diego Toreros football team represented the University of San Diego in the NCAA Division I FCS football season. They finished with a 7–4 overall record under head coach Jim Harbaugh, competing in the Pioneer Football League.

Key Facts

The team played its home games at Torero Stadium in San Diego, California
Head coach Jim Harbaugh led the team to a 7–4 record in 2019
They went 5–1 in Pioneer Football League (PFL) play
Quarterback Mason Maeder started 9 games, throwing for 1,872 yards and 14 touchdowns
The Toreros did not qualify for the FCS playoffs in 2019

Overview

The 2019 San Diego Toreros football team represented the University of San Diego in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). Competing as a member of the Pioneer Football League (PFL), the team was led by head coach Jim Harbaugh, who was in his second season at the helm.

The Toreros played their home games at Torero Stadium, a 6,000-seat facility on the university's campus. Despite a competitive season and a winning record, they did not qualify for the FCS playoffs, missing postseason contention by a narrow margin.

Record: The team finished the season with a 7–4 overall record and a 5–1 mark in Pioneer Football League play, one of their best conference performances in recent years.
Stadium: All home games were held at Torero Stadium in San Diego, California, which has served as the team's home field since 1961 and underwent renovations in 2013.
Head Coach: Jim Harbaugh, entering his second year in 2019, brought NFL-level experience and a renewed focus on quarterback development and defensive discipline.
Key Player: Quarterback Mason Maeder started nine games, throwing for 1,872 yards and 14 touchdowns, becoming one of the most consistent passers in the PFL.
Season Outcome: Despite a strong conference record, the Toreros did not receive an at-large bid to the FCS playoffs, ending their season in November 2019.

How It Works

The 2019 season operated under standard NCAA Division I FCS rules, with the Toreros competing in a non-scholarship football model typical of the Pioneer Football League. The structure emphasized academic alignment and competitive balance across member institutions.

Non-Scholarship Model: The Pioneer Football League prohibits athletic scholarships for football, meaning all players are recruited based on academic and athletic fit, not financial incentives.
Conference Play: The PFL consists of 10 member schools, and teams play a six-game round-robin schedule to determine the conference champion and automatic playoff qualifier.
Playoff Eligibility: Only the PFL champion receives an automatic bid to the FCS playoffs; at-large bids are rare for non-scholarship teams due to strength of schedule concerns.
Roster Size: The Toreros maintained a roster of approximately 85 players, with strict NCAA limits on travel and game-day participation affecting depth and rotation.
Game Schedule: The team played 11 games in 2019, including six conference matchups and five non-conference contests against teams from the Big Sky and MVFC.
Coaching Structure: Jim Harbaugh led a staff of 12 assistant coaches, focusing on position-specific development and weekly game planning using advanced analytics.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2019 San Diego Toreros and their PFL rivals based on key performance metrics:

Team	Overall Record	PFL Record	Points For	Points Against
San Diego	7–4	5–1	287	234
Davidson	6–5	5–1	264	248
Dayton	8–3	6–0	312	201
Stetson	3–8	2–4	198	317
Morehead State	4–7	3–3	221	293

Dayton emerged as the PFL champion in 2019 with an undefeated conference record and earned the league's automatic playoff bid. San Diego and Davidson tied for second in the standings but missed out due to tiebreaker rules. The Toreros outscored their opponents by 53 points, reflecting solid offensive execution and a disciplined defense.

Why It Matters

The 2019 season was significant for the Toreros as it demonstrated progress under Jim Harbaugh’s leadership and highlighted the competitiveness of non-scholarship programs in the FCS landscape. Their performance helped elevate the national profile of the Pioneer Football League.

Program Growth: The 7–4 record marked an improvement from the previous season and signaled a turnaround in the team’s long-term trajectory.
Recruiting Boost: Strong performances increased interest from high school prospects, especially in Southern California, enhancing future roster depth.
Conference Recognition: Finishing tied for second in the PFL strengthened San Diego’s reputation as a consistent contender.
Media Exposure: Games were broadcast on ESPN+, increasing visibility for the university and its athletic programs.
Academic-Athletic Balance: The season underscored the viability of high-level football without athletic scholarships, aligning with USD’s institutional values.
Alumni Engagement: Improved performance led to higher attendance and donations, boosting support for the football program.

The 2019 campaign laid the foundation for future success, proving that strategic coaching and player development can yield strong results even in a non-scholarship environment.