| Year: | 1979 |
| Team: | San Jose State Spartans |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Pacific Coast Athletic Association |
| Short Conf: | PCAA |
| Record: | 3–8 |
| Conf Record: | 2–3 |
| Wins Forfeited: | 3 |
| Ties Forfeited: | 1 |
| Conf Wins Forfeited: | 2 |
| Head Coach: | Jack Elway |
| Hc Year: | 1st |
| Off Coach: | Dennis Erickson |
| Oc Year: | 1st |
| Stadium: | Spartan Stadium |
The 1979 San Jose State Spartans football team represented San Jose State University during the 1979 NCAA Division I-A football season as a member of the Pacific Coast Athletic Association.[1] The team was led by first year head coach Jack Elway. They played home games at Spartan Stadium in San Jose, California.
The Spartans finished the 1979 season as co-champions of the PCAA, with a record of six wins, four losses and one tie (6–4–1, 4–0–1 PCAA). However, in December 1979 the PCAA ruled that the Spartans had used an ineligible player in seven of their games. As a result, the team's co-championship of the conference was vacated, and the record was adjusted to 3–8 (2–3 PCAA).[2]
The following were selected in the 1980 NFL draft.[5]
| Player | Position | Round | Overall | NFL team | |
| Running back | 3 | 58 | Los Angeles Rams | ||
| Quarterback | 4 | 101 | San Diego Chargers |
| Player | Position | First NFL team | |
| Derrick Martin | Defensive back | 1987 San Francisco 49ers | |
| Eric Hurt | Defensive back | 1980 Dallas Cowboys | |
| Jim Walsh | Running back | 1980 Seattle Seahawks |