By any reasonable measure, the 2016 season was a roaring success for the UTSA Roadrunners. The university administration made a late coaching change last January, replacing former head coach Larry Coker with then-LSU running backs coach and recruiting coordinator Frank Wilson. Despite having little time to gather a full recruiting class, Wilson was able to bolster his roster by attracting graduate transfers and instant-impact recruits.
While Wilson didn’t have any previous collegiate experience as a coordinator or head coach he was able to guide the Roadrunners to their best season since 2013. UTSA was granted their first ever bowl bid, tying the NCAA record for fastest program to reach a bowl game after they lost to the New Mexico Lobos 20-23 in the Gildan New Mexico Bowl.