| Year: | 1979 |
| Regular Season: | August–November 1979 |
| Playoffs: | December 1–15, 1979 |
| Championship: | McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium McAllen, TX |
| Champions: | Texas A&I (6) |
The 1979 NAIA Division I football season was the 24th season of college football sponsored by the NAIA, was the 10th season of play of the NAIA's top division for football.
The season was played from August to November 1979 and culminated in the 1979 NAIA Division I Football National Championship. Known again this year as the Palm Bowl, the title game was played on December 15, 1979, at McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium in McAllen, Texas.[1]
The Texas A&I Javelinas defeated the Central State Bronchos in the Palm Bowl, 20–14, to win their sixth NAIA national title.[2]
| Conference | Champion | Record | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | Arkansas–Monticello | 5–1 | |
| Central States | Kearney State Pittsburg State | 6–1 | |
| Evergreen | Oregon College | 5–0 | |
| Great Lakes | Saginaw Valley State | 4–0–1 | |
| Lone Star | Texas A&I | 6–1 | |
| NIC | Minnesota–Duluth Moorhead State (MN) | 7–1 | |
| Oklahoma | East Central State | 4–0 | |
| RMAC | Western State (CO) | 7–1 | |
| South Atlantic | Presbyterian | 7–0 | |
| WVIAC | North: Fairmont and West Liberty State South: West Virginia State | 6–2–1 6–3 | |
| Wisconsin State | Wisconsin–River Falls | 7–1 |