| Year: | 1959 |
| Team: | Washington State Cougars |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Independent |
| Record: | 6–4 |
| Head Coach: | Jim Sutherland |
| Hc Year: | 4th |
| Stadium: | Rogers Field Memorial Stadium (Spokane) |
The 1959 Washington State Cougars football team was an American football team that represented Washington State University as an independent during the 1959 college football season.[1] In their fourth season under head coach Jim Sutherland, the Cougars compiled a 6–4 record and outscored their opponents 177 to 121.[2] [3]
The team's statistical leaders included Mel Melin with 526 passing yards, Keith Lincoln with 670 rushing yards, and Gail Cogdill with 531 receiving yards.[4] The Cougars had only three home games this season: the season opener in Spokane (at night) and two on campus in Pullman.
This was the first season after the disbandment of the Pacific Coast Conference,[1] and the first as "Washington State University."[5] [6] After three years as an independent, WSU became the sixth member of the AAWU in 1962.[7]
Two Cougars were selected in the 1960 NFL draft, which was twenty rounds (240 selections).
| Gail Cogdill | End | 6 | 63 | ||
| Don Ellersick | Back | 6 | 66 |