1970
In the first COC football game ever, under Coach Don Kloppenburg, the Cougars defeated Cal Lutheran’s junior varsity, 49-6, at Hart High. The team finished its inaugural season with an amazing 7-2 record. In the process, Clint McKinney shattered national records held by O.J. Simpson and Sylvester Youngblood for the most rushing yards in a single game. McKinney made history when he rushed for 413 yards in 41 carries against Mt. San Jacinto, surpassing Simpson’s 304 yards and Youngblood’s 305 yards. McKinney finished the season with 1,490 yards in 258 carries – an average of 5.7 yards per carry – and scored 10 touchdowns in nine games.

Post-Season: State Playoffs - Reedley 74, College of the Canyons 20

Final Record: 7-2

1971
Vicki Sinclair was crowned as the first COC homecoming queen, and the Cougars handed College of the Desert a 49-0 defeat in the Cougars' season opener. The team went on to capture the Desert Conference championship with a 7-1 record.

Final Record: 8-1

1972
Other schools in the Desert Conference asserted the Cougars were too strong for their league. As a result, the Cougars moved to the much more difficult Western State Conference.

Final Record: 5-3-1

1973
Under new Coach Larry Reisbig, the Cougars won their first Western State Conference championship and placed 16 players on the all-conference squad—more than any other team in the conference. In addition, COC’s Ron Jamerson was named WSC Player of the Year.

Post-Season: State Playoffs - L.A. City College 33, College of the Canyons 23

Final Record: 8-2

1974
In their new $1.5 million stadium, the Cougars played their first home game in front of an enthusiastic crowd of 3,000. The first touchdown in the new stadium was scored by quarterback Chuck Lyon, who currently serves as coach of the football program. The Cougars lost the game to Harbor, 26-21.

Final Record: 6-4

1975
The Cougars netted two trophies: the Western State Conference championship and a 13-13 tie with Citrus in the Mission Bowl.

Post-Season: Mission Bowl, Citrus College 13, College of the Canyons 13

Final Record: 6-4

1976
Canyons finished with a 2-7 overall record—the worst record in COC’s football history.

Final Record: 2-7

1977

Final Record: 6-4

1978
With their starting quarterback leading the way, 16 Cougars walked off the team. The Cougars suffered a 39-31 loss to Allan Hancock despite the return of 13 of the players for the game.

Final record: 7-3

1979

Final Record: 4-6

1980

Final Record: 6-4

1981
The Cougars defeated Santa Barbara, 16-14, at College of the Canyons in what turned out to be the last COC football game for 17 years. It was the fourth consecutive victory for the Cougars and wrapped up third place in the Western State Conference.

Final Record: 6-4

1982
On March 4, 1982, the COC football program was discontinued in a unanimous vote by the Board of Trustees. The resignation of Coach Larry Reisbig, the $65,000-$75,000 costs to operate the program, and lack of community interest and support were among the reasons cited for the action.