Full Breakdown
Jim Walden, Former Washington State and Iowa State Football Coach, Dies at 88
7/4/2026, 2:59:51 PM
Death Announcement
Jim Walden died Thursday at age 88 in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Washington State University and Iowa State University announced his passing without a cause. His wife, Nancy, later told Cougfan.com that he succumbed to acute respiratory failure after a brief bout of breathing trouble.
Career Overview
Born in Aberdeen, Mississippi (1938), Walden quarterbacked at Wyoming before playing in the Canadian Football League. As Washington State head coach (1978-86) he posted a 44-52-4 record, led the Cougars to the 1981 Holiday Bowl—their first bowl since 1931—earned Pac-10 Coach of the Year honors in 1981 and 1983, and was inducted into the WSU Hall of Fame in 2009. At Iowa State (1987-94) he went 28-57-3, highlighted by wins over No. 16 Oklahoma (1990), No. 7 Nebraska (1992) and No. 18 Kansas State (1993). He later served as a radio analyst.
Impact and Legacy
Walden stabilized Washington State after three consecutive coaching changes, restored the Apple Cup to Pullman and secured the program’s first bowl in five decades. At Iowa State, his upset wins provided rare optimism for a scholarship-limited team. His later work as a radio analyst made his voice a staple of WSU football broadcasts.
Official Statements
Washington State said Walden was “a great Coug who deeply loved Washington State” and offered condolences, announcing a memorial service in Coeur d’Alene before the 2026 season. Iowa State issued a brief notice confirming his death.
Conflicts
Nancy Walden said he died of acute respiratory failure, but ESPN, KCCI and Washington State releases gave no cause, and no medical report has been made public.
Verbatim Quotes
- “He will forever be remembered as a great Coug who deeply loved Washington State. Our heart is with Coach Walden's family, friends and all the former players whose lives he positively impacted.” — Jon Haarlow, Washington State Athletic Director
- “Nothing in my job -- not the Rose Bowls, not the Holiday Bowls, nothing is more important than beating the University of Washington,” — Jim Walden
- “He never really lost a game,” — Dan Weaver, Cougfan.com columnist
What’s Next
A memorial service will be held in Coeur d’Alene before the football season. The 1981 Washington State team that Walden led to the Holiday Bowl will be inducted into the WSU Hall of Fame in October.
