Conference Pacific-8 Conference Head coach Mike White (5th year) | 1976 record 5–6 (3–4 Pac-8) | |
Home stadium California Memorial Stadium | ||
The 1976 California Golden Bears football team was an American football team that represented the University of California, Berkeley during the 1976 NCAA Division I football season. Under head coach Mike White, the team compiled an overall record of 5–6 and 3–4 in conference.
The quarterback and leader of the previous season's team was Joe Roth. Because of that outstanding season he was one of the Heisman Trophy candidates at the beginning of the season. He had a great start, however halfway through it his performance started to drop. Unknown to almost everyone, Roth was diagnosed with melanoma the most dangerous form of skin cancer. Only coach White and his closest friends knew about it. With Roth continuing to play he still had a strong season and was named an All-American. His last game was in January 1977 at an all-star game in Japan and he died several weeks later in Berkeley. IHis former locker is dedicated in his honor and the annual home game against UCLA or USC is known as the Joe Roth game.