Lincoln Oaklanders football

American college football program
Lincoln Oaklanders football
2024 Lincoln Oaklanders football team
First season2021 (2021)
Athletic directorDesmond Gumbs
Head coachDesmond Gumbs
4th season, 3–28 (.097)
StadiumNone
LocationOakland, California
ConferenceIndependent
All-time record3–28–0 (.097)
Conference titlesNone
MascotOaklander
Marching bandOaklander Marching Band
Websiteathletics.lincolnuca.edu

The Lincoln Oaklanders are the college football team representing Lincoln University of Oakland, California. The team is Independent and plays as a traveling team. The school's first football team was fielded in 2021. Athletic Director David Gumbs has been the Head Football Coach since the 2021 season.

History

The Oaklanders began play in the 2021 season as an independent. In September of 2021, hoped to join the NCAA by 2022.[1][2]

Athletic Director David Gumbs was named Head Coach for the Oaklanders inaugural season, while former Super Bowl XLV champion Desmond Bishop served as defensive coordinator.[3] On September 11, 2021, the Oaklanders made their debut against the Whitworth Pirates where they were defeated 29–31. Lincoln earned their first win as a program the following weak defeating Willamette 34–9. Lincoln proceeded to lose the following seven games, ending their season with a 1–8 record.

In 2022, the Oaklanders faced a Southland Conference opponent, losing to Texas A&M Commerce,[4] as well as a Big Sky Conference opponent, falling to Portland State,[5] and then a WAC opponent, losing to Southern Utah.[6] The Oaklanders showed slight improvement, finishing the season 2–8. In week 6, they set program record scoring 70 point in a 70–0 shutout win against Hilbert College. Lincolns' other win came in week 9 against Bluefield State University where they defeated the Big Blues 20–17.

The Lincoln Oaklanders football team practices before a 2023 road game against Cal Poly.
The Lincoln Oaklanders football team practices before a 2023 road game against Cal Poly.

The early portion of the 2023 season saw Lincoln play its first in-state game,[7] taking on a Big Sky program for a second time in its history when facing Cal Poly. Led by upperclassmen including former Ohio State defensive back Amir Riep, former UTEP quarterback T.J. Goodwin,former North Dakota running back Otis Weah,and former Stevenson Punter Owen Meister [8] the Oaklanders briefly held a first-half lead before the Mustangs rallied to ultimately win 41–20.[9]

During its first three unaffiliated seasons, Lincoln played its games exclusively as the visitor. In the offseason of 2023, following the departure of the nearby Oakland Raiders, columnist Omar-Rashon Borja of Redshirt Sports opined that RingCentral Coliseum ought to be repurposed into a facility to host Lincoln games.[10]

Season-by-season results

Year Coach Conference Overall Record
2021 Desmond Gumbs Independent 1–8
2022 2–8
2023 0–12
2024 0–0
Totals 3–28 (.097)

References

  1. ^ Nowels, Michael (June 4, 2021). "Gary Payton hired to coach at Oakland's Lincoln University". The Mercury News. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  2. ^ Glenn, Vern (September 8, 2021). "Lincoln University Trots Out Oakland's Newest Football Team". KPIX 5 TV (CBS News Bay Area).
  3. ^ Ostler, Scott (June 19, 2021). "Intrigue for potential Coliseum sale". San Francisco Chronicle. pp. C1.
  4. ^ "College football: Thursday's results - Southwest". San Francisco Chronicle. September 3, 2022. pp. B4.
  5. ^ "College football scores: Far West". San Jose Mercury News. October 9, 2022. pp. C3.
  6. ^ "Scores: Far West". San Jose Mercury News. November 13, 2022. pp. C3.
  7. ^ Almanza, Tony; Roose, Kevin (September 16, 2023). "Cal Poly defeats Lincoln University". KEYT News Channel.
  8. ^ Talbot, Damond (June 25, 2023). "2024 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Otis Weah, RB, Lincoln University (CA)". NFL Draft Diamonds.
  9. ^ "Sam Huard ties Cal Poly record with 6 TD passes as Mustangs beat Lincoln (CA) 41–20". AP News. The Associated Press. September 16, 2023.
  10. ^ Borja, Omar-Rashon (May 4, 2023). "Let's Repurpose the Oakland Coliseum for Lincoln University". Redshirt Sports.