The 1996 San Jose State Spartans football team represented San Jose State University during the 1996 NCAA Division I-A football season as a member of the Western Athletic Conference.
1996 was the first year San Jose State was a member of the Western Athletic Conference.
They had previously been a member of the Big West Conference since its formation in 1969 as the Pacific Coast Athletic Association (PCAA).
They played home games at Spartan Stadium in San Jose, California.
The Spartans finished the 1996 season with a record of three wins and nine losses (3–9, 3–5 WAC).