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.
Sophomore end Don Ellingsen ranked second in the Pacific Coast Conference (PCC) and fifth nationally with 455 receiving yards. His average of 16.9 yards per reception was best in the PCC.
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.
Schedule
NFL draft One Cougar was selected in the 1957 NFL draft, which was 30 rounds and 360 selections.
Don GestEnd30360New York Giants
References
External links Game program: Stanford vs. WSC at Spokane – September 22, 1956 Game program: Oregon State at WSC – October 20, 1956 Game program: USC at WSC – November 3, 1958 Game program: Washington vs. WSC at Spokane – November 24, 1956