In their first season under head coach Gary Darnell, the Broncos compiled an 8–3 record and finished in second place in the West Division of the Mid-American Conference (MAC).
In non-conference games, they defeated Temple (34–14) and Louisiana–Monroe (32–19) and lost to Michigan State (42–10).
[2] Sanford was named the MAC freshman of the year.
[3] Gary Darnell was hired as Western's head football coach on December 14, 1996.
He had been an assistant coach at Texas since 1992, including three years as defensive coordinator.