1961 Hoosier Conference football season

The 1961 Hoosier Conference football season was the season of college football played by the six member schools of the Hoosier Conference (HC) as part of the 1961 college football season. The 1961 Taylor Trojans and Anderson Ravens football teams tied for the conference championship. Each had an equal 4–1 conference record. Anderson defeated Taylor in head-to-head competition. Taylor had the stronger overall record at 8–1 (Anderson went 4–4 overall).

Taylor
The 1961 Taylor Trojans football team represented Taylor University of Upland, Indiana. In their fifth year under head coach Bob Davenport, the team compiled an 8–1 record (4–1 against HC opponents) and tied for the Hoosier Conference championship. The team was led by Dave Kastelein, who scored 62 points to lead all Indiana college football players in scoring.

Anderson
The 1961 Anderson Ravens football team represented Anderson University of Anderson, Indiana. In their ninth year under head coach James Macholtz, the team compiled a 4–4 record (4–1 against HC opponents) and tied for the Hoosier Conference championship.

Hanover
The 1961 Hanover Panthers football team represented Hanover College of Hanover, Indiana. In their seventh year under head coach Leo H. Kelly, the team compiled a 3–6 record (3–2 against conference opponents) and finished in third place in the Hoosier Conference.

Indiana Central
The 1961 Indiana Central Greyhounds football team represented Indiana Central College (now known as University of Indiana of Indianapolis, Indiana. In their fourth and final year under head coach Jay Windell, the team compiled a 4–5 record (2–3 against conference opponents) and finished in fourth place in the Hoosier Conference.

Franklin
The 1961 Franklin Grizzlies football team represented Franklin College of Franklin, Indiana. In their fifth year under head coach Stewart Faught, the team compiled a 3–6 record (1–4 against conference opponents) and tied for fifth and last place in the Hoosier Conference.

Manchester
The 1961 Manchester Spartans football team represented Manchester University of North Manchester, Indiana. In their sixth and final year under head coach Eldred A. Weddle, the team compiled a 1–8 record (1–4 against conference opponents) and tied for fifth and last place in the Hoosier Conference.