The 1986 Houston Cougars football team represented the University of Houston during the 1986 NCAA Division I-A football season. The Cougars were led by 25th-year head coach Bill Yeoman and played their home games at the Astrodome in Houston, Texas. The team competed as members of the Southwest Conference, finishing in last. Following a dismal 1–10 season, and amidst mounting controversy surrounding alleged NCAA rule violations, Bill Yeoman resigned as head coach. He retired as Houston's longest serving and winningest coach by wide margins.