The 1996 Vanderbilt Commodores football team represented Vanderbilt University as a member of the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) during the 1996 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by Rod Dowhower in his second and final season as head coach, the Commodores compiled an overall record of 2âÂÂ9 with a mark of 0âÂÂ8 in conference play, placing last out of six teams in the SEC's Eastern Division. The team played home games at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee.