The 1986 Santa Clara Broncos football team represented Santa Clara University as a member of the Western Football Conference (WFC) during the 1986 NCAA Division II football season. The Broncos were led by second-year head coach Terry Malley. They played home games at Buck Shaw Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Santa Clara finished the season with a record of four wins and seven losses (4–7, 2–4 WFC). The Broncos were outscored by their opponents 230–334 for the season.