Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens football, 1889–99

The Delaware football team represented Delaware College (now the University of Delaware) in college football. Playing their home games in Newark and Wilmington, Delaware, the football program started in 1889. Delaware was coached by Ira Pierce in 1896 and Herbert Rice from 1897 to 1899. They compiled a 14−13−4 record in the seven seasons before employing a head coach. Pierce coached the team to a 0−6−0 record in 1897, and Rice finished with a 9−12−3 record in his first three seasons as head coach. Rice went on to have a 16−20−4 record as head coach for five total seasons.