Longtime College Football Coach, Announcer Jim Walden Dead at 88

Longtime College Football Coach, Announcer Jim Walden Dead at 88

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Longtime College Football Coach, Announcer Jim Walden Dead at 88

Longtime college football coach and announcer Jim Walden has died. He was 88 years old.

The longtime college football coach and broadcaster led Washington State and Iowa State's football programs for a combined 17 seasons. He later served as a radio announcer for 11 seasons.

Both schools announced his passing.

"WSU is saddened to hear the passing of Cougar Hall of Fame coach Jim Walden, our thoughts are with his family, friends, his former players and all Coug fans," WSU announced.

Iowa State added: "Former Iowa State head football coach Jim Walden, who led the Cyclones from 1987-94, passed away on Thursday. He was 88 years old. Walden directed Iowa State to a 28-57-3 overall record during his tenure, but his penchant to come up with big upset highlighted his time in Ames."

AMES, IA – OCTOBER 3: General view as fans watch the match-up between the Iowa State Cyclones and the Kansas Jayhawks on October 3, 2015 at Jack Trice Stadium, in Ames, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)Matthew Holst/Getty Images

In 10 years at Washington State, Walden went 44-52-4, which still ranks fourth all-time in wins. At Iowa State, he went 28–57–3.

Walden was widely praised for his character and his abilities as a college football announcer, following his coaching career.

Tributes pour in on Sunday

Fans are saddened by his passing.

"Sad to hear. Last saw Jim about a year ago. His intense passion for the Cougs never dimmed. He was the Coug coach when I was born & was the fan in the booth during some formative, aspiring sports journalist years. You can’t tell the history of WSU without him," one fan wrote.

"Learning of the death of Jim Walden. He coached Iowa State football from 1987 to 1994. Also later served as GM of Barnstormers and co-host of WHO’s Two Guys Named Jim, among many roles. Jim was 88 and living in Idaho. Just an absolute character from a time when coaches like Walden, Fry, and Orr would speak freely. The Bartles & James spoof with Johnny was legendary. Last time we had Jim on our show, his storytelling was a sharp as ever. I was on his show two years ago. He wanted to talk at length about Caitlin Clark. He was a big fan," another shared.

"The man was a mentor to me and so many others. We will have many former players and coaches join the show who I’m sure will reflect on how integral Coach Walden was on their lives. He will never get the credit he deserves but that man saved Iowa State football. We will definitely get into that," one added.

Our thoughts are with his friends and family members.

May he rest in peace.

This story was originally published by The Spun on Jul 5, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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