Minnesota Golden Gophers football under Joe Salem

The Minnesota Golden Gophers were coached by Joe Salem for five seasons from 1979 to 1983. In those five season 19 wins, 35 losses and one tie. In the Big Ten, they won 12 games, lost 32 and tied one. Six players were named All-Big Ten first team. Thirteen players were named All-Big Ten second team. Fourteen players were named Academic All-Big Ten.

1979
The 1979 season was the Golden Gophers' first under head coach Joe Salem. The Golden Gophers won four games, lost six and tied one game. Total attendance for the season was 241,942, which averaged to 40,323. The season high for attendance was against Purdue.

Split End Elmer Bailey was named All-Big Ten first team. Defensive lineman Alan Blanshan and offensive lineman Bill Humphries were named Academic All-Big Ten.

Quarterback Mark Carlson was awarded the Team MVP Award. Elmer Bailey was awarded the Offensive MVP Award. Free safety Keith Edwards was awarded the Defensive MVP Award.

1980
The 1980 season was the Golden Gophers' second under head coach Joe Salem. The Golden Gophers won five games and lost six. Total attendance for the season was 265,105, which averaged to 44,184. The season high for attendance was against rival Iowa.

Fullback Garry White, tailback Marion Barber Jr. and defensive end Jeff Schuh were named All-Big Ten first team. Offensive guard Ken Dallafoir, free safety Mike Robb, linebacker Jeff Schuh and defensive tackle Dana Noel were named All-Big Ten second team. Defensive lineman Brent Harms, defensive lineman Fred Orgas and free safety Mike Robb were named Academic All-Big Ten.

Marion Barber Jr. was awarded the Team MVP Award. Garry White was awarded the Offensive MVP Award. Jeff Schuh was awarded the Defensive MVP Award.

1981
The 1981 season was the Golden Gophers' third under head coach Joe Salem. The Golden Gophers won six games and lost five. Total attendance for the season was 301,248, which averaged to 43,035. The season high for attendance was against Michigan. It was the final season in Memorial Stadium.

Linebacker Jim Fahnhorst and offensive tackle Ken Dallafoir were named All-Big Ten first team. Flanker Chester Cooper, offensive lineman Bill Humphries, defensive end Karl Mecklenburg and defensive lineman Fred Orgas were named All-Big Ten second team. Defensive lineman Brent Harms, Defensive lineman Fred Orgas, free safety Mike Robb and safety Rick Witthus were named Academic All-Big Ten.

Quarterback Mike Hohensee was awarded the Team MVP Award. Chester Cooper was awarded the Offensive MVP Award. Jim Fahnhorst was awarded the Defensive MVP Award.

1982
The 1982 season was the Golden Gophers' fourth under head coach Joe Salem. The Golden Gophers won three games and lost eight. Total attendance for the season was 413,200, which averaged to 59,028. The season high for attendance was against Iowa. It was the first season in the H.H.H. Metrodome.

Offensive lineman Randy Rasmussen, offensive lineman Bill Humphries and defensive end Karl Mecklenburg were named All-Big Ten second team. Mecklenburg, defensive lineman Fred Orgas and fullback Bob Stroup were named Academic All-Big Ten.

Quarterback Mike Hohensee was awarded the Team MVP Award. Randy Rasmussen was awarded the Offensive MVP Award. Karl Mecklenburg was awarded the Defensive MVP Award.

1983
The 1983 season was the Golden Gophers' fifth and final season under head coach Joe Salem. The Golden Gophers won one game and lost ten. Total attendance for the season was 243,674, which averaged to 48,734. The season high for attendance was against Wisconsin, although the game against Nebraska drew only two people less.

Linebacker Peter Najarian was named All-Big Ten second team. Najarian and split end Fred Hartwig were named Academic All-Big Ten.

Offensive Tackle Randy Rasmussen was awarded the Team MVP Award. Tight end Jay Carroll was awarded the Offensive MVP Award. Peter Najarian was awarded the Defensive MVP Award.