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 Harding.

The team played home games at Vernon Kennedy Field at Audrey J. Walton Stadium in Warrensburg, Missouri.

[4] On August 15, the American Football Coaches Association released the Preseason Division II Poll,[5] landing Central Missouri at No.