| Currentseason: | 2024 Tarleton State Texans football team |
| Teamname: | Tarleton State Texans football |
| Firstyear: | 1904 |
| Athleticdirector: | Lonn Reisman |
| Headcoach: | Todd Whitten |
| Headcoachyear: | 13th |
| Hcwins: | 96 |
| Hclosses: | 50 |
| Stadium: | Memorial Stadium |
| Stadcapacity: | 24,000 |
| Ncaadivision: | I FCS |
| Atwins: | 319 |
| Atlosses: | 315 |
| Atties: | 3 |
| Conftitles: | 11 (6 TIAA, 5 LSC) |
| Divtitles: | 5 (3 LSC North, 2 LSC South) |
| Websitename: | TarletonSports.com |
| Websiteurl: | https://tarletonsports.com/sports/football |
For information on all Tarleton State University sports, see Tarleton State Texans.
The Tarleton State Texans football program, also known as the Tarleton Texans, is the intercollegiate American football team for Tarleton State University located in the U.S. state of Texas.[1] Through the 2019 season, the team competed in NCAA Division II as members of the Lone Star Conference, but moved to the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) beginning in the 2020–21 NCAA Division I FCS football season. In fall 2021, Tarleton's full-time home of the Western Athletic Conference revived its football league at the FCS level, with Tarleton as one of the inaugural members.[2]
The WAC and the ASUN Conference entered into a football-only partnership in the 2021 season, renewing it for 2022. Shortly after the 2022 season, the two conferences fully merged their football leagues into what eventually became the United Athletic Conference, with Tarleton as one of the new league's nine inaugural members.[3] [4] [5]
The Texans are ineligible for FCS Playoff competition until 2024 due to NCAA transfer rules. Tarleton first football team was fielded in 1904. The team plays its home games at the 24,000-seat Memorial Stadium in Stephenville, Texas. The Texans are coached by Todd Whitten.
| 1977 | 7–4 | 4–0 | ||
| 1978 | 8–1–1 | 7–0–1 | ||
| 1986 | Bill Pringle | 9–1–1 | 6–0 | |
| 1987 | 9–3–1 | 6–0 | ||
| 1989 | 9–3 | 8–2 | ||
| 1990 | 11–1 | 6–0 | ||
| 2001† | Lone Star Conference† | 10–3 | 8–1 | |
| 2009† | 10–3 | 7–2 | ||
| 2013† | Cary Fowler | 7–3 | 5–1 | |
| 2018 | Todd Whitten | 12–1 | 8–0 | |
| 2019 | 11–1 | 8–0 |
| 2001† | LSC South | 10–3 | 8–1 | |
| 2002 | LSC North | 9–2 | 6–2 | |
| 2003 | 8–4 | 6–2 | ||
| 2006† | LSC South | 6–4 | 6–3 | |
| 2009† | 10–3 | 7–2 | ||
The Texans made five appearances in the NCAA Division II playoffs. They had a combined record of 4–5.
| 2001 | First Round Quarterfinals | Chadron State UC Davis | W, 28–24 L, 25–42 | |
| 2003 | First Round | Texas A&M–Kingsville | L, 10–34 | |
| 2009 | First Round Second Round | Texas A&M–Kingsville Central Washington | W, 57–56 2OT L, 6–27 | |
| 2018 | First Round Second Round Quarterfinals | Azusa Pacific Texas A&M–Commerce Minnesota State | W, 58–0 W, 34–28 L, 10–13 | |
| 2019 | First Round | Texas A&M–Commerce | L, 16–23 |
See main article: List of Tarleton State Texans in the NFL draft. Notable alumni include:
Richard Bartel, QB: Dallas Cowboys, Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars, Washington Redskins, Sacramento Mountain Lions, Arizona Cardinals. 2007-2012. Offensive coordinator: Atlanta Legends. 2019.[7]
Marv Brown, HB: Detroit Lions. 1957.[8]
Walter Bryan, DB: Baltimore Colts. 1955.[9]
James Dearth, LS: Cleveland Browns, New York Jets, Washington Redskins, San Diego Chargers, New England Patriots. 1999-2011.[10]
Saalim Hakim, WR: New Orleans Saints, New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs. 2012-2015.[11]
Rufus Johnson, DE: New Orleans Saints, New England Patriots, Washington Redskins, Oakland Raiders. 2013-2017.[12]
Garrett Lindholm, K: Atlanta Falcons, Indianapolis Colts, Milwaukee Mustangs, St. Louis Rams, Arizona Rattlers, San Antonio Talons, New Orleans VooDoo, Orlando Predators, Los Angeles KISS. 2010-2016.[13]
Tywain Myles, DT: Jacksonville Jaguars, Atlanta Falcons. 2008-2009.[14]
Deshaun Phillips, CB: Dallas Cowboys, New York Jets, Washington Redskins, Pittsburgh Steelers, Dallas Renegades. 2014–Present.[15]
Derrick Ross, FB: Kansas City Chiefs, Cologne Centurions, Montreal Alouettes, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, San Angelo Stampede Express, Dallas Vigilantes, Philadelphia Soul, Los Angeles KISS, Las Vegas Outlaws, Jacksonville Sharks. 2006-2017.[16]
E.J. Speed, LB: Indianapolis Colts. 2019–Present.[17]
Nick Stephens, QB: Tennessee Titans, Utah Blaze, Dallas Cowboys, Baltimore Ravens, San Jose SaberCats. 2012-2014.[18]
Camp Wilson, FB: Detroit Lions. 1946-1949.[19]
Randy Winkler, OT: Detroit Lions, Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers. 1968-1971.[20]
Koe Wetzel, LB: American singer/songwriter[21]
Announced schedules as of August 11, 2024.[22]
| McNeese | South Dakota State | at North Texas | ||
| at Baylor | at Texas A&M | |||
| at Houston Christian | ||||
| Southeastern Louisiana |