The Texas A&M–Kingsville Javelinas football program is the intercollegiate American football team for the Texas A&M University–Kingsville located in the U.S. state of Texas. The team competes in the Division II and is a member of the Lone Star Conference. The school's first football team was fielded in 1929. The team plays its home games at the 15,000-seat Javelina Stadium.

History In 1929, the school joined the original Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association (TIAA). By the time that TIAA folded, the "Fighting Javelinas" had won two football championships. Following this, the school competed independently for several years. They moved from competing with junior colleges and teachers colleges to competing against larger schools throughout the state. One highlight of this period included a football game that pitted the Javelinas against the Aggies of Texas A&M at Kyle Field in College Station. The Javelinas led the game until the Aggies tied the game at 14 with three minutes left to play. The game ended in a tie. However, the Javelinas demonstrated that they could hold their own with a large football powerhouse. This further substantiated the team's nickname as "the toughest little team in the nation."Hunter, Cecilia Aros and Leslie Gene. "Texas A&M University-Kingsville." Arcadia Press, 2000. p.63-64

In 1934, the school participated in the Lone Star Conference on a probationary period. In 1935, the school joined the Alamo Conference. By 1937, the Javelinas captured their first Alamo Conference co-championship (with St. Mary's). The next year, the Javelinas won their first outright Alamo Conference football championship. This led to a string of football championships and the school's recognition as a football powerhouse.Hunter, Cecilia Aros and Leslie Gene. "Texas A&M University-Kingsville." Arcadia Press, 2000. p.64

For the 1954 season, A&I was finally inducted into the Lone Star Conference (LSC). By 1959, the Javelinas won the first in a long string of LSC championships. Since then, the school has remained a perennial conference powerhouse, winning 27 championships. During the years that the Lone Star Conference was a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), the Javelinas also picked up seven national championships. During the decade of the 1970s, the Javelinas won five NAIA national championships and went undefeated from the last game of 1973 through third game of 1977.

After the Lone Star Conference joined the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division II in 1980, the Javelinas continued their conference, regional, and national success. The school changed its name from Texas A&I to Texas A&M-Kingsville in 1993. One year later, the Javelinas played in the 1994 NCAA Division II National Football Championship, only to lose to the University of North Alabama 16–10. The school has been in NCAA Division II since 1980, after being in the NAIA from 1955–1980.

Conference history 1925–1929: Independent 1930-1930: Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association 1931–1938: Independent 1939–1940: Alamo Conference 1941–1948: Independent 1949–1953: Texas Collegiate Athletic Conference 1954–present: Lone Star Conference

List of head coaches From 1942 to 1945, the Javelinas had no team due to World War II. Gil Steinke has the most victories coached as a Javelina. Steinke and Ron Harms are both in the College Football Hall of Fame.

Lewis J. Smith (1925–1928): 16–10–1 Bud McCallum (1929–1939, 1941): 65–31–9 Dewey Mayhew (1940, 1946–1953): 46–38–1 Gil Steinke (1954–1976): 182–61–4 Fred Jonas (1977–1978): 14–6–1 Ron Harms (1979–1999): 169–75 Richard Cundiff (2000–2006): 52–28 Bo Atterberry (2007–2012): 41–28 David Calloway (2013–2014): 4–17 Daren Wilkinson (2015–2019): 19–26 Mike Salinas (2020–present): 0–0

Championships National championships While known as Texas A&I, the Javelinas won seven NAIA national championship titles.

1959 Gil Steinke1969 Gil Steinke1970 Gil Steinke1974 Gil Steinke1975 Gil Steinke1976 Gil Steinke1979 Ron Harms

Conference championships The Javelinas have won 33 conference titles since 1936. They have also won seven Lone Star South Division titles (1997, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2009).

1936: Alamo Conference Co-champions (1–1–0) 1937: Alamo Conference Co-champions (Unknown record) 1938: Alamo Conference Champions (2-0) 1939: Alamo Conference Co-champions (1–0–1) 1951: Texas Collegiate Athletic Conference Co-champions (3–0–1) 1953: Texas Collegiate Athletic Conference Co-champions (3–0–1) 1959: Lone Star Conference Co-champions (5–2–0) 1960: Lone Star Conference Champions (6–0–1) 1962: Lone Star Conference Champions (6–0–1) 1967: Lone Star Conference Champions (7–0–0) 1968: Lone Star Conference Champions (7–1–0) 1969: Lone Star Conference Co-champions (7–1–0) 1970: Lone Star Conference Champions (8–1–0) 1974: Lone Star Conference Champions (9–0–0) 1975: Lone Star Conference Champions (9–0–0) 1976: Lone Star Conference Champions (7–0–0) 1977: Lone Star Conference Co-champions (5–1–1) 1979: Lone Star Conference Champions (6–1–0) 1985: Lone Star Conference Champions (5–0–0) 1987: Lone Star Conference Co-champions (4–1–1) 1988: Lone Star Conference Champions (6–1–0) 1989: Lone Star Conference Champions (7–0–0) 1992: Lone Star Conference Champions (6–0–0) 1993: Lone Star Conference Champions (5–0–0) 1994: Lone Star Conference Champions (5–0–0) 1995: Lone Star Conference Champions (7–0–0) 1996: Lone Star Conference Champions (7–0) 1997: Lone Star Conference Champions (9–0) 2001: Lone Star Conference Co-champions (5–1) 2002: Lone Star Conference Champions (5–1) 2003: Lone Star Conference Champions (8–0) 2004: Lone Star Conference Champions (8–1) 2009: Lone Star Conference Co-champions (7–2)

Postseason appearances Bowl games November 28, 1952 International Bowl Dewey Mayhew 3–8 Herico Military Academy (Mexico) W 49–0 December 12, 1959 NAIA Championship Game Gil Steinke 12–1 Lenoir-Rhyne Bears W 20–7 December 31, 1960 Great Southwest Bowl Gil Steinke 8–1–1 Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys W 45–14 December 14, 1968 NAIA Championship Game Gil Steinke 10–2 Troy Trojans L 35–43 December 13, 1969 NAIA Championship Game Gil Steinke 11–1 Concordia-Moorhead Golden Bears W 32–7 December 12, 1970 NAIA Division I Championship Game Gil Steinke 11–1 Wofford Terriers W 38–7 December 14, 1974 NAIA Division I Championship Game Gil Steinke 13–3 Henderson State Reddies W 34–23 December 13, 1975 NAIA Division I Championship Game Gil Steinke 12–3 Salem Spirits W 37–0 December 11, 1976 NAIA Division I Championship Game Gil Steinke 13–3 Central Arkansas Bears W 26–0 December 15, 1979 NAIA Division I Championship Game Ron Harms 12–1 Central Oklahoma Bronchos W 20–14 November 25, 2012 Kanza Bowl Bo Atterberry 6–5 Emporia State Hornets L 38–45 December 3, 2016 Live United Texarkana Bowl Daren Wilkinson 9–3 Southern Arkansas Muleriders W 24–17 December 3, 2022 Heritage Bowl Mike Salinas 7–5 East Central Tigers L 21–38

NAIA playoffs Texas A&I made eight appearances in the NAIA playoffs, with a combined record of 16–1 and seven national championships.

1959 SemifinalsNational Championship HillsdaleLenoir–Rhyne W, 20–0W, 20–7 1968 SemifinalsNational Championship Northern State (SD)Troy State W, 20–0L, 35–43 1969 SemifinalsNational Championship New Mexico HighlandsConcordia Moorhead W, 28–23W, 32–7 1970 SemifinalsNational Championship Platteville StateWofford W, 16–0W, 48–7 1974 SemifinalsNational Championship CameronElon W, 21–18W, 34–23 1975 SemifinalsNational Championship Oregon CollegeSalem (WV) W, 37–0W, 37–0 1976 SemifinalsNational Championship Western State (CO)Central Arkansas W, 56–14W, 26–0 1979 QuarterfinalsSemifinalsNational Championship Western State (CO)Angelo StateCentral State (OK) W, 38–14W, 22–19W, 20–14

Notable former players

Notable alumni include:

Johnny Bailey Ed Dodds Earl Dotson Karl Douglas Mike Dyal Donovan Gans Roberto Garza Darrell Green (Pro Football Hall of Famer) James Guidry Al Harris Dwight Harrison James Jefferson Randy Johnson John Randle (Pro Football Hall of Famer) Heath Sherman Gene Upshaw (Pro Football Hall of Famer) Karl Williams

References

External links