The Spartans were led by first-year head coach Bill Berry and played their home games at the San Jose Civic Auditorium.

During the season, San José State was invited and participated in the Cable Car Classic in Santa Clara, California.

San José State defeated Virginia and Santa Clara to earn 1st place.

The Spartans were invited and participated in the 1980 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, where they lost to Missouri in Lincoln, Nebraska in the first round.

Bill Berry, Michigan State alumnus, was the Spartans' head coach in 1979–80.