Most Cougar football fans were down in the dumps when Jim Walden was chosen as head football coach in 1978. The program has lost two head coaches in the past two season. Actually, three in three seasons counting the departure of Jim Sweeney, who had been with the program for eight seasons.
Sweeney's successors, brought promise but both left after one year at the helm, including Warren Powers, who had promised to see the program through.
Walden, who had followed Powers to Pullman as an assistant from Nebraska, took over the reigns from Powers. He not only stayed until 1986, but took the program, long often dismissed and disrespected, to new heights. He took the team, in 1981, to its first bowl game since 1931.
He also led to Cougar to three Apple Cup victories (games with cross state rival Washington) in four years, something that only happed two other times in history.
Known for his colorful personality and for speaking his mind, Walden later became a commentator on the Cougar football broadcasts.
Jim Walden died yesterday (Thursday, July 2nd, 2026). He was 88.
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