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 3âÂÂ6âÂÂ1 overall record, and were 2âÂÂ5âÂÂ1 in the Pacific Coast Conference.
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, and he led the program for eight seasons, through 1963.
One Cougar was selected in the 1957 NFL draft, which was 30 rounds and 360 selections.