The Pittsburg State football team was formed in 1908, competes in NCAA Division II and is affiliated with the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA).

The Gorillas play their home games at Carnie Smith Stadium, more commonly referred to as "The Jungle", in Pittsburg, Kansas.

[3] John Fuhrer succeeded McLeland and served as Pitt State's football coach from 1909 to 1914 and 1918, compiling a record of 26–22–2.

[7] During the 1930s and 1940s, Pittsburg State compiled mediocre records under head coaches Blue Howell (35–30–6) and Charles Morgan (44–43–15).

During Smith's 18-year tenure as head coach, the team compiled a record of 116–52–6 and won two NAIA national championships in 1957 and 1961.

[12] Tom Lester took over as the Gorillas' head coach in 1967, the year Pittsburg State joined the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC).

He directed the Gorillas to three Central States Conference championships and a trip to the NAIA national finals in 1981.

Dennis Franchione, a Pittsburg State alumnus, served as head football coach for five years from 1985 to 1989.

In 2004, the Gorillas finished 14–1, losing 36–31 to Valdosta State University in the Division II championship game.

In his second year as head coach, the Gorillas compiled a record of 13–1 and returned to the NCAA Division II Championship game for the first time since 2004.