| Year: | 2016 |
| Team: | Northwest Missouri State Bearcats |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association |
| Short Conf: | MIAA |
| Afcarank: | 1 |
| Record: | 15–0 |
| Conf Record: | 11–0 |
| Head Coach: | Adam Dorrel |
| Hc Year: | 6th |
| Off Coach: | Charlie Flohr |
| Oc Year: | 5th |
| Def Coach: | Rich Wright |
| Dc Year: | 6th |
| Champion: | NCAA Division II champion MIAA champion |
| Bowl: | NCAA Division II Championship Game |
| Bowl Result: | W 29–3 vs. North Alabama |
The 2016 Northwest Missouri State Bearcats football team represented Northwest Missouri State University as a member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) during the 2016 NCAA Division II football season. Led by sixth-year head coach Adam Dorrel, the Bearcats compiled an overall record of 15–0 with a mark of 11–0 in conference play, winning the MIAA title. They won the program's sixth NCAA Division II Football Championship with a win over North Alabama in the NCAA Division II Championship Game.
The Bearcats played their home games on the newly-renovated Bearcat Stadium in Maryville, Missouri.[1] 2016 was the 100th season in school history.[2] [3] [4]
The Bearcats entered the 2016 season as the defending NCAA Division II National Champions, after finishing the 2015 season with a 15–0 record overall and in conference play.[5] On August 2, 2016 at the MIAA Football Media Day, the Bearcats were chosen to finish in 1st place in both the Coaches Poll and in the Media Poll.[6] [7]
Sporting News released their Top-25 on May 25, 2016, landing Northwest Missouri State at #1.[8] On June 15, 2016, Lindy's NCAA Division II Preseason Top 25 released its poll ranking Northwest Missouri State at #1.[9]
On August 15, the American Football Coaches Association released the Preseason Division II Poll,[10] landing Northwest Missouri State at #1.[11]
On August 22, D2football.com released its Top 25 poll, ranking Northwest Missouri State 1st.[12]
Along with Dorrel, there are 12 assistants.
| Head coach | 6 | Northwest Missouri State (1998) | |
| Assist. Head Coach – Defensive Coordinator | 6 | Dana College (1995) | |
| Assist. Head Coach – Offensive Coordinator | 11 | Dakota State (2002) | |
| Joel Osborn | Assist. Head Coach – WR/Recruiting Coordinator | 6 | Northwest Missouri State (2009) |
| Chad Bostwick | Assist. Head Coach – Linebackers | 6 | Northwest Missouri State (2005) |
| Brandon Clayton | Assist. Head Coach – Defensive backs | 2 | Northwest Missouri State (2009) |
| Ryan Gent | Assist. Head Coach – Tight Ends/Running backs | 3 | Iowa State (2013) |
| Ross Sharp | Director of player personnel | 3 | Northwest Missouri State (2014) |
| Scott Reilly | Graduate Assistant – Offensive Line | 3 | Northwest Missouri State (2016) |
| Andrew Pitts | Graduate Assistant – Defensive Backs | 1 | Northwest Missouri State (2016) |
| Justin Mulloy | Graduate Assistant – Quarterbacks | 1 | Minnesota (2014) |
| Brock Sherman | Graduate Assistant – Defensive Line | 1 | Northwest Missouri State (2016) |
| Tucker Peve | Football Equipment Manager | 4 | Northwest Missouri State (2017) |
| Reference:[13] |
See also: 2016 Emporia State Hornets football team.
See also: 2016 Washburn Ichabods football team.
See also: 2016 Nebraska–Kearney Lopers football team.
See also: 2016 Missouri Southern Lions football team.
See also: 2016 Central Missouri Mules football team.
See also: 2016 Northeastern State RiverHawks football team.
See also: 2016 Lindenwood Lions football team.
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. With their win over Missouri Western, the Bearcats clinched their fourth straight conference title.[15]
See also: 2016 Emporia State Hornets football team. Entering postseason as the No. 1 team, the Bearcats earn a bye during the first week of playoffs and will play the winner of the Emporia State and Minnesota–Duluth game.[16]