| Year: | 2016 |
| Team: | Central Missouri Mules |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association |
| Short Conf: | MIAA |
| Coachrank: | 20 |
| Record: | 9–3 |
| Conf Record: | 9–2 |
| Head Coach: | Jim Svoboda |
| Hc Year: | 7th |
| Off Coach: | John McMenamin |
| Oc Year: | 2nd |
| Def Coach: | Wes Bell |
| Dc Year: | 1st |
| Bowl: | NCAA Division II First Round |
| Bowl Result: | L 31–48 at |
The 2016 Central Missouri Mules football team represented the University of Central Missouri as a member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) during the 2016 NCAA Division II football season. Led by seventh-year head coach Jim Svoboda, the Mules compiled an overall record of 9–3 with a mark of 9–2 in conference play, placing third in the MIAA. Central Missouri advanced to the NCAA Division II Football Championship playoffs, where the Mules lost in the first round to . The team played home games at Vernon Kennedy Field at Audrey J. Walton Stadium in Warrensburg, Missouri.[1] 2016 was the 120th season in program history.[2]
The Mules entered the 2016 season after finishing with an 8–3 record, overall and in conference play, last season under Svoboda.[3] On August 2, 2016 at the MIAA Football Media Day, the Mules were chosen to finish in second place in both the Coaches Poll and Media Poll.[4]
On August 15, the American Football Coaches Association released the Preseason Division II Poll,[5] landing Central Missouri at No. 20.[6]
On August 22, D2football.com released its Top 25 poll, ranking Central Missouri 10th.[7]
See also: 2016 Pittsburg State Gorillas football team.
See also: 2016 Fort Hays State Tigers football team.
See also: 2016 Missouri Western Griffons football team.
See also: 2016 Emporia State Hornets football team.
See also: 2016 Northwest Missouri State Bearcats football team.
See also: 2016 Nebraska–Kearney Lopers football team.
See also: 2016 Missouri Southern Lions football team.
See also: 2016 Washburn Ichabods football team.
See also: 2016 Northeastern State RiverHawks football team.
See also: 2016 Lindenwood Lions football team.
See also: Harding Bisons football.
Along with Svoboda, there are 13 assistants.
| Head Coach | 7 | Northwestern (IA) (1992) | |
| John McMenamin | Assistant Football Coach – Offensive Coordinator | 2 | Northwest Missouri State (2003) |
| Wes Bell | Assistant Football Coach – Defensive Coordinator | 1 | Emporia State (2003) |
| Chuck Clemens | Assistant Football Coach – Defensive Line | 18 | Truman (1988) |
| Hank McClung | Assistant Football Coach – Offensive Line | 7 | Eastern New Mexico (1986) |
| Kyle Westphal | Assistant Football Coach – Defensive Backs / Special Teams Coordinator | 5 | Simpson College (2005) |
| Sean Teter | Strength & Conditioning Coordinator | 4 | Kansas (2010) |
| Eric Eisenberg | Graduate Assistant – Linebackers | 2 | Central Florida (2014) |
| Trey Jackson | Graduate Assistant – Offensive Line | 1 | Central Missouri (2016) |
| Ian Toalson | Graduate Assistant – Tight Ends | 1 | Central Missouri (2016) |
| Ramond Hunter | Graduate Assistant – Defensive Line | 2 | Central Missouri (2015) |
| Jerry McNeal | Graduate Assistant – Football Operations | 2 | Missouri State (2014) |
| Brody Rohach | Graduate Assistant – Running Backs | 2 | Wayne State (2015) |
| Damon Paul | Volunteer Assistant – Wide Receivers | 5 | Northwest Missouri State (1984) |
| Reference:[9] |