| Sport: | football |
| Year: | 1986 |
| Team: | San Diego State Aztecs |
| Conference: | Western Athletic Conference |
| Short Conf: | WAC |
| Record: | 8–4 |
| Conf Record: | 7–1 |
| Head Coach: | Denny Stolz |
| Hc Year: | 1st |
| Off Coach: | Dana Bible |
| Oc Year: | 1st |
| Stadium: | Jack Murphy Stadium |
| Champion: | WAC champion |
| Bowl: | Holiday Bowl |
| Bowl Result: | L 38–39 vs. Iowa |
The 1986 San Diego State Aztecs football team represented San Diego State University during the 1986 NCAA Division I-A football season as a member of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC).
The team was led by head coach Denny Stolz, in his first year. They played home games at Jack Murphy Stadium[1] in San Diego, California. They completed the regular season as Champions of the WAC, with a record of eight wins, four losses (8–4, 7–1 WAC). The year finished with their first post-season bowl game in 17 years, the Holiday Bowl against the 19th-ranked Iowa Hawkeyes.
The following were selected in the 1987 NFL draft.[4]
The following finished their college career in 1986, were not drafted, but played in the NFL.[5]| Player | Position | First NFL Team |
|---|---|---|
| Guard | 1987 Cincinnati Bengals | |
| Duane Pettitt | Defensive End | 1987 San Diego Chargers |
| Tackle | 1989 Green Bay Packers | |
| Linebacker | 1987 San Diego Chargers | |
| Renard Young | Defensive Back | 1987 Seattle Seahawks |
| Linebacker | 1987 Los Angeles Rams | |
| Award | Player | |
|---|---|---|
| Most Valuable Player (John Simcox Memorial Trophy) | Todd Santos | |
| Outstanding Offensive & Defensive Linemen (Byron H. Chase Memorial Trophy) | Doug Aronson, Off Levi Esene, Def | |
| Team captains Dr. R. Hardy / C.E. Peterson Memorial Trophy | Corey Gilmore, Off Doug Aronson, Off Levi Esene, Def | |
| Most Inspirational Player | Mike Ariey |