| Year: | 1996 |
| Team: | San Jose State Spartans |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Western Athletic Conference |
| Division: | Pacific Division |
| Short Conf: | WAC |
| Record: | 3–9 |
| Conf Record: | 3–5 |
| Head Coach: | John Ralston |
| Hc Year: | 4th |
| Stadium: | Spartan Stadium |
The 1996 San Jose State Spartans football team represented San Jose State University during the 1996 NCAA Division I-A football season as a member of the Western Athletic Conference. 1996 was the first year San Jose State was a member of the Western Athletic Conference. They had previously been a member of the Big West Conference since its formation in 1969 as the Pacific Coast Athletic Association (PCAA).
The team was led by head coach John Ralston, in his fourth year as head coach at San Jose State. They played home games at Spartan Stadium in San Jose, California. The Spartans finished the 1996 season with a record of three wins and nine losses (3–9, 3–5 WAC).
See also: 1996 Air Force Falcons football team.
See also: 1996 California Golden Bears football team.
See also: 1996 Stanford Cardinal football team and Bill Walsh Legacy Game.
See also: 1996 UTEP Miners football team.
See also: 1996 Washington State Cougars football team.
See also: 1996 Wyoming Cowboys football team.
See also: 1996 Fresno State Bulldogs football team and Fresno State–San Jose State football rivalry.
See also: 1996 Colorado State Rams football team.
See also: 1996 San Diego State Aztecs football team.
See also: 1996 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football team.
See also: 1996 Washington Huskies football team.
See also: 1996 UNLV Rebels football team.