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Hawkins offered record contract extension
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Boise State University is set to offer head football coach Dan Hawkins a five-year contract extension.
The deal marks the longest contract ever offered to a BSU coach and would increase Hawkins’ annual salary 5 percent to an estimated $165,000.
“We have been extremely pleased with the work Coach Hawkins has done, and we want to ensure that he is at Boise State as long as possible,” said Athletics Director Gene Bleymaier.
In his first year as head coach, replacing Dirk Koetter who left for Arizona State, Hawkins led the Broncos to 8-4, finishing with a second place tie in the Western Athletic Conference and an upset over eighth-ranked Fresno State.
“He had an excellent first year,” said Bleymaier, who added that Hawkins’ accomplishments helped put BSU on the map.
“When we have nationally televised games such as the Fresno State game last year, it brings tremendous visibility and recognition to Boise State,” he said.
Bleymaier said renegotiating the contract now, with two years still left on the original, rewards Hawkins for his achievements and holds promise for things to come.
Hawkins has not seen the particulars of the offer yet, but he anticipates reaching an agreement with the university within the next six weeks.
“I said a long time ago I’d love to be here a long time,” he said. “I’d love to be here and see this thing become a top 20 program.”
Hawkins also said the contract extension helps in recruiting new players.
“They always want to know how long you’re going to be there or want to be there,” he said. “I think any time you can have continuity that’s always a plus.”
Hawkins said other institutions competing for the same players will use a coach’s contract length against him. He said players want to know the coach will be there through the athlete’s college career.
Hawkins signed 26 new recruits-13 offensive and defensive linemen-for the upcoming season and said he feels good that the new talent, like defensive end Fernando Yanez and defensive lineman Loa Emmsley, will be able to keep up the pace set last season.
“There’s a lot of athletic ability there. There’s a lot of speed there. I really like the fiber of those guys,” Hawkins said.
Hawkins also added depth to the quarterback slot, signing two incoming freshman to join with redshirt freshman Rafe Espinoza and senior backup B.J. Rhode.
Hawkins plans to start junior Ryan Dinwiddie, one of the 16 returning starters, at quarterback after capping last season ranked 10th in the country for total offense. The 6-foot signal caller completed 201 of 322 passes for 3,043 yards and 29 touchdowns.
An injury has left a key position wide open, however.
Punter Keith Schuttler tore his Achilles tendon in practice last week and will be out for six months, leaving the coaches scrambling for a new punter.
“That obviously is a big concern; that’s a critical position,” Hawkins said. “It’s very unfortunate.”
Redshirt freshman Sean Steichen and sophomore Jesse Warner will duke it out for Schuttler’s replacement.
The 2002 season kicks off Aug. 31 with new turf and a new logo against home-opener University of Idaho, and with big home games against conference teams Hawai’i, Fresno State, Rice, and Louisiana Tech.
Hawkins expects the Broncos to outdo their performance last year.
“Our expectations are to be in post-season,” he said.
Erin Willis