| Year: | 1956 |
| Team: | Washington State Cougars |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Pacific Coast Conference |
| Short Conf: | PCC |
| Record: | 3–6–1 |
| Conf Record: | 2–5–1 |
| Head Coach: | Jim Sutherland |
| Hc Year: | 1st |
| Stadium: | Rogers Field, Memorial Stadium |
The 1956 Washington State Cougars football team was an American football team that represented Washington State College during the 1956 college football season. Led by first-year head coach Jim Sutherland, the team posted a 3–6–1 overall record, and were 2–5–1 in the Pacific Coast Conference.[1] [2]
Hired in January, Sutherland was previously an assistant at rival Washington for a season under head coach John Cherberg, preceded by two years at California under Pappy Waldorf. His initial contract with the Cougars was for three years, estimated at $12,000 per year,[3] [4] and he led the program for eight seasons, through 1963.[5] [6] [7]
One Cougar was selected in the 1957 NFL draft, which was thirty rounds (360 selections).
[8]