| Year: | 1996 |
| Regular Season: | September 7 – November 16, 1996 |
| Playoffs: | November 23 – December 14, 1996[1] |
| Nc Date: | December 14, 1996 |
| Championship: | Braly Municipal Stadium Florence, AL |
| Champion: | Northern Colorado |
| Hill: | Jarrett Anderson, Truman |
The 1996 NCAA Division II football season, part of college football in the United States organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association at the Division II level, began on September 7, 1996, and concluded with the NCAA Division II Football Championship on December 14, 1996, at Braly Municipal Stadium in Florence, Alabama, hosted by the University of North Alabama. The Northern Colorado Bears defeated the Carson–Newman, 23–14, to win their first Division II national title.[2]
The Harlon Hill Trophy was awarded to Jarrett Anderson, running back from Truman.
| Team | 1995 conference | 1996 conference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCAA I-AA independent | |||
| NCAA Division II independent | |||
| Big Sky Conference (I-AA) | |||
| NCAA Division II independent |
See also: List of NCAA Division II football seasons.
| Division: | II |
| Year: | 1996 |
| Teams: | 16 |
| Stadium: | Braly Municipal Stadium |
| Location: | Florence, AL |
| Champions: | Northern Colorado |
| Titlecount: | 1st |
| Runnerup: | Carson–Newman |
| Gamecount: | 1st |
| Semifinal1: | Clarion |
| Semifinal2: | UC Davis |
The 1996 NCAA Division II Football Championship playoffs were the 23rd single-elimination tournament to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division II college football. The championship game was held at Braly Municipal Stadium in Florence, Alabama, for the tenth time.