The 1976 Lamar Cardinals football team represented Lamar University in the 1976 NCAA Division I football season as a member of the Southland Conference. The Cardinals played their home games at Cardinal Stadium now named Provost Umphrey Stadium in Beaumont, Texas. Lamar finished the 1976 season with a 2–9 overall record and a 0–5 conference record. The 1976 season was coach 's first season as the Cardinals' head football coach.