WSU extends Leach’s contract an additional year

Published 1:30 am Monday, December 18, 2017

PULLMAN — Washington State University football coach Mike Leach has agreed to extend his contract an additional year, through the 2022 season, the school announced Monday.

The agreement also provides increased compensation for Leach beginning in 2018, and more money for his assistant coaches.

“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 a press release.

Leach has guided the Cougars to a 9-3 record and their third straight bowl appearance. They play Michigan State on Dec. 28 in the Holiday Bowl in San Diego.

“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,” Leach said in a statement. “We can’t wait to see what’s in store for our program.”

Under the revised agreement, Leach’s 2018 compensation will be $3.5 million, $3.75 million in 2019 and $4 million in 2020. Following year three (the 2020 season), he also will receive a one-time retention bonus of $750,000. Additionally, the assistant coaches’ pool will increase by $400,000.

Since Leach took over at WSU in 2012, the Cougars’ home attendance has gone from 76.1 percent of capacity in 2011 to 97.1 percent this season.