The Mountain West Conference (MW) is a collegiate athletic conference located in the United States, participating in NCAA Division I. Its football teams compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). The MW officially began operations on January 4, 1999. Geographically, the MW covers a broad expanse of the Western United States, with member schools located in California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming, as well as an associate member in Hawaii. Gloria Nevarez took over as commissioner of the MW on January 1, 2023, following the retirement of founding commissioner Craig Thompson.
San Diego State University (SDSU) is a public research university in San Diego, California. Founded in 1897, it is the third-oldest university and southernmost in the 23-member California State University (CSU) system. The university offers bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, and doctoral degrees through its eight distinct colleges.
Frederick Rudolph Dean was an American professional football player who was a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL). A two-time first-team All-Pro and a four-time Pro Bowler, he won two Super Bowls with the San Francisco 49ers. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2008.
San Diego Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium in San Diego, California. The stadium opened in 1967 as San Diego Stadium and was known as Jack Murphy Stadium from 1981 to 1997. From 1997 to 2017, the stadium's naming rights were owned by Qualcomm, and the stadium was known as Qualcomm Stadium or simply The Q. The naming rights expired on June 14, 2017, and were purchased by San Diego County Credit Union, renaming the facility as SDCCU Stadium on September 19, 2017; those naming rights expired in December 2020. Demolition of San Diego Stadium began in December 2020, with the last freestanding section of the stadium's superstructure felled by March 22, 2021.
Tiaina Baul "Junior" Seau Jr. was an American professional football linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL), mostly with the San Diego Chargers. Known for his passionate play, he was a six-time first-team All-Pro, twelve-time Pro Bowl selection, and named to the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team. He was elected posthumously to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015.
Antonio Ethan Gates Jr. is an American former professional football player who was a tight end for the San Diego / Los Angeles Chargers during his entire career in the National Football League (NFL). He was named to the Pro Bowl eight times and was a six-time All-Pro selection. He retired on January 14, 2020, after 16 years with the Chargers.
Philip Michael Rivers is an American former football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 17 seasons, primarily with the Chargers franchise. He played college football for the NC State Wolfpack and was selected fourth overall in the 2004 NFL draft by the New York Giants, who traded him to the San Diego Chargers during the draft. Rivers was a member of the Chargers for 16 seasons and played his final season for the Indianapolis Colts. Since 2021, he has served as the head football coach at St. Michael Catholic High School.
Larry Chatmon Little is an American former football guard who played in the American Football League (AFL) and the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Bethune–Cookman Wildcats. He signed with the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 1967. After two years in San Diego, he was then traded to the Miami Dolphins where he played for the rest of his career, establishing himself as one of the best guards in the NFL.
Willie James Buchanon is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback for the Green Bay Packers and San Diego Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the San Diego State Aztecs and was selected in the first round of the 1972 NFL draft with the seventh overall pick. He was Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1972 and a two-time Pro Bowl player. He finished his career with his hometown Chargers, retiring with 28 career interceptions and 15 fumble recoveries.
John Larry Jefferson is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). After playing college football with the Arizona State Sun Devils, he was selected in the first round of the 1978 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers. He played three seasons in San Diego, where he became the first NFL player to gain 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first three seasons. He was traded to the Green Bay Packers after a contract dispute with the Chargers, and later finished his playing career with the Cleveland Browns.
Moses Nathaniel Moreno is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Colorado State Rams and was selected by the Chicago Bears in the seventh round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He attended Castle Park High School, where he became a two-time all-conference selection.
The San Diego State Aztecs football team is the football program that represents San Diego State University. The Aztecs compete in NCAA Division I (FBS) as a member of the Mountain West Conference (MW). The team plays its home games at Snapdragon Stadium.
Brady Patrick Hoke is a former American football coach. He was most well known for serving as the head football coach at the University of Michigan from 2011 to 2014. He also served as the head football coach at Ball State (2003–2008) and San Diego State
Thomas Gordon Dahms was an American football player and coach. He played in the National Football League (NFL) as an offensive tackle for seven seasons with the Los Angeles Rams, Green Bay Packers, Chicago Cardinals, and San Francisco 49ers. After his playing career, he served as assistant coach in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys and the Oakland Raiders. He played college football at San Diego State College.
Snapdragon Stadium is an outdoor stadium in San Diego, California, located on the campus of San Diego State University. The stadium is home of the San Diego State Aztecs football team. The Aztecs compete in NCAA Division I (FBS) as a member of the Mountain West Conference (MW).
Robert Patrick "Tate" Forcier is a former American football quarterback. He was a starting quarterback for the 2009 Michigan Wolverines football team ahead of Denard Robinson, and Robinson's backup for the 2010 Michigan Wolverines football team. He left the program in January 2011 when head coach Rich Rodriguez was replaced by Brady Hoke. He missed the January 1, 2011 Gator Bowl after being ruled academically ineligible and was no longer enrolled at the university when the new term began following the semester break. On February 9, 2011, Forcier announced his transfer to the University of Miami. He originally intended to redshirt the 2011 season and play for the Miami Hurricanes football team in the 2012 and 2013 season but instead transferred to San Jose State University to play for the Spartans football team. He soon withdrew from the San Jose State football program. He then attended training camp with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League.
Ronald Keith Ryan Hillman Jr. was an American professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the San Diego State Aztecs, earning third-team All-American honors as a sophomore in 2011. He was selected by the Denver Broncos in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft and was a member of their team that won Super Bowl 50. Hillman later spent time with the Minnesota Vikings, San Diego Chargers, and Dallas Cowboys.
Donnel Laray Pumphrey Jr. is an American college football coach and former running back. He is the running backs coach for California State University, Sacramento, a position has held since 2023. He played college football for the San Diego State Aztecs. Pumphrey is the official all-time leader in rushing yards in NCAA Division I FBS history. He was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL draft, and spent offseasons with the Eagles and Detroit Lions. He played for the DC Defenders of the XFL in 2020.
The 1972 San Diego State Aztecs football team represented California State University San Diego during the 1972 NCAA University Division football season as a member of the Pacific Coast Athletic Association (PCAA).
The 1945 San Diego State Aztecs football team represented San Diego State College during the 1945 college football season.