2016 Central Missouri Mules football team

The 2016 Central Missouri Mules football team represented the University of Central Missouri as a member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) during the 2016 NCAA Division II football season. Led by seventh-year head coach Jim Svoboda, the Mules compiled an overall record of 9–3 with a mark of 9–2 in conference play, placing third in the MIAA. Central Missouri advanced to the NCAA Division II Football Championship playoffs, where the Mules lost in the first round to. The team played home games at Vernon Kennedy Field at Audrey J. Walton Stadium in Warrensburg, Missouri. 2016 was the 120th season in program history.

Preseason
The Mules entered the 2016 season after finishing with an 8–3 record, overall and in conference play, last season under Svoboda. On August 2, 2016 at the MIAA Football Media Day, the Mules were chosen to finish in second place in both the Coaches Poll and Media Poll.

On August 15, the American Football Coaches Association released the Preseason Division II Poll, landing Central Missouri at No. 20.

On August 22, D2football.com released its Top 25 poll, ranking Central Missouri 10th.

Coaching staff
Along with Svoboda, there are 13 assistants.