| Year: | 1996 |
| Team: | Southern Jaguars |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Southwestern Athletic Conference |
| Short Conf: | SWAC |
| Record: | 7–5 |
| Conf Record: | 5–2 |
| Head Coach: | Pete Richardson |
| Hc Year: | 4th |
| Stadium: | A. W. Mumford Stadium |
| Bowl: | Heritage Bowl |
| Bowl Result: | L 24–27 vs. Howard |
The 1996 Southern Jaguars football team represented Southern University as a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) during the 1996 NCAA Division I-AA football season. Led by fourth-year head coach Pete Richardson, the Jaguars compiled an overall record of 7–5, with a conference record of 5–2, and finished tied for second in the SWAC.