WSU extends Mike Leach’s contract as Cougars’ coach through 2022
Dec 18, 2017, 5:08 PM | Updated: 5:12 pm
Mike Leach has signed to a new deal that gives him a significant raise as WSU's coach. (AP)
(AP)
Mike Leach has a lucrative new deal that keeps him signed to be Washington State’s football coach through 2022.
WSU announced Monday afternoon that Leach’s contract has been extended an additional year, and he is getting a significant a raise.
Top Seattle sports stories of 2017: Leach, Cougs take a run at 10 wins
Leach is set to make $3.5 million in 2018, $3.75 million in 2019 and $4 million in 2020. He will also receive a one-time retention bonus of $750,000 after the 2020 season.
Cougars Extend Mike Leach through 2022!#GoCougs #JoinTheHunt https://t.co/FJExWJFpXu pic.twitter.com/INPhW68DJj
— WSU Cougar Football (@wsucougfb) December 19, 2017
“Coach Leach has led a spectacular turnaround in the fortunes of our football program during the last six years, and we want to keep him in the Cougar family for a long time to come,” WSU President Kirk Schulz said in the press release. “Importantly, our on-field football success has reaped dividends for the entire athletic program, invigorating the interest of fans, boosting football season ticket sales and increasing donor contributions to the Cougar Athletic Fund.”
Leach could lead No. 21 WSU to its first 10-win season since 2003 with victory over No. 18 Michigan State in the Holiday Bowl on Dec. 28.
“I would like to thank President Schulz and Washington State for their commitment to Cougar football and appreciate his vision and leadership for WSU Athletics,” Leach said in the press release. “We have accomplished some great things in our time here and my staff and I are excited to lead WSU Cougar Football into the future. We can’t wait to see what’s in store for our program.”
In six seasons at WSU, Leach has a 38-37 record, though he is 26-12 over the last three seasons. Prior to coming to Pullman, he had an 84-43 record over 10 years at Texas Tech.
According to reports, Leach nearly left Washington State to become head coach at Tennessee earlier this month.
