Lincoln Oaklanders football

The Lincoln Oaklanders are the college football team representing Lincoln University of Oakland, California.

Lincoln Oaklanders football
First season2021 (2021)
Athletic directorDesmond Gumbs
Head coachDesmond Gumbs
3rd season, 3–16 (.158)
StadiumNone
LocationOakland, California
ConferenceIndependent
All-time record3–16–0 (.158)
Conference titlesNone
MascotOaklander
Marching bandOaklander Marching Band
Websiteathletics.lincolnuca.edu

History edit

The program began in 2021[1] as an independent, and by September 2021 reportedly hoped to join the NCAA by 2022.[2]

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.[3]

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

The head coach since 2021 is Desmond Gumbs (also athletic director[4]), while Desmond Bishop previously served as defensive coordinator during the debut year.

In 2022, the Oaklanders faced a Southland Conference opponent, losing to Texas A&M Commerce,[5] as well as a Big Sky Conference opponent, falling to Portland State,[6] and then a WAC opponent, losing to Southern Utah.[7]

The early portion of the 2023 season saw LU play its first in-state game,[8] 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 [9] the Oaklanders briefly held a first-half lead before the Mustangs rallied to ultimately win 41-20.[10]

References edit

  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. ^ Borja, Omar-Rashon (May 4, 2023). "Let's Repurpose the Oakland Coliseum for Lincoln University". Redshirt Sports.
  4. ^ Ostler, Scott (June 19, 2021). "Intrigue for potential Coliseum sale". San Francisco Chronicle. pp. C1.
  5. ^ "College football: Thursday's results - Southwest". San Francisco Chronicle. September 3, 2022. pp. B4.
  6. ^ "College football scores: Far West". San Jose Mercury News. October 9, 2022. pp. C3.
  7. ^ "Scores: Far West". San Jose Mercury News. November 13, 2022. pp. C3.
  8. ^ Almanza, Tony; Roose, Kevin (September 16, 2023). "Cal Poly defeats Lincoln University". KEYT News Channel.
  9. ^ Talbot, Damond (June 25, 2023). "2024 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Otis Weah, RB, Lincoln University (CA)". NFL Draft Diamonds.
  10. ^ "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.