The Minnesota Golden Gophers football team was led for six full seasons from 1986 to 1991 by John Gutekunst. Coach Gutekunst also coached the Golden Gophers in the 1985 Independence Bowl. The team had a 29–36–2 overall record. In the Big Ten they had a record of 18–28–2. Darrell Thompson was named Big Ten freshman of the year. Seven players were named All-Big Ten first team. Seventeen players were named All-Big Ten second team. Punter Brent Herbel was named Academic All-American first team. Twenty-two players were named Academic All-Big Ten.