Oregon State and coach Jonathan Smith agreed to a new six-year, $30.6 million contract, the school announced Sunday. Here’s what you need to know:
- Smith’s new contract will run through the 2028 season.
- Smith led the Beavers to a 9-3 regular-season record this season, finishing No. 14 in the College Football Playoff rankings.
- Smith was named Pac-12 Co-Head Coach of the Year earlier this month.
Background
Smith has compiled a 25-31 overall record since taking over the program in 2018, but is 16-9 the past two seasons.
The Beavers’ nine victories this season are their most since 2012. Oregon State will take on Florida in the Las Vegas Bowl on Dec. 17 in search of its third-ever 10-win season.
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Why Oregon State extended Smith
When Smith interviewed for the Oregon State head-coaching job in late 2017, he wore his 2001 Fiesta Bowl ring, a not-so-subtle reminder of what the best quarterback in Oregon State history had accomplished. That was the first 10-win season in school history. Now the Beavers go for their third later this week when they face Florida in the Las Vegas Bowl. Smith simply knows what it takes to win here.
This new contract provides more momentum for the program. Reser Stadium will complete a renovation next season, with all of the luxury seating already sold out for 2023. — Vannini
How did Oregon State build back?
It was a slow and methodical rebuild, as the Beavers had hit the bottom with a 1-11 season before Smith arrived. The team got better, beating Oregon in 2020, reaching a bowl game in 2021 and then doing both this season.
Along with the raise and extension, the staff salary pool will increase to $4.85 million and the support staff pool will increase to $2.5 million, with $100,000 annual raises for both. That’s important as other schools will come for Oregon State assistants after this success. This staff has seen very little turnover in Smith’s five seasons, which helped the rebuild. — Vannini
What they’re saying
“Coach Smith has taken the Oregon State football program to new heights, and we knew it was important to reward him and his staff to keep the momentum moving forward,” Oregon State athletic director Scott Barnes said in a release. “The success they’ve achieved on the football field has been evident, and Coach’s Smith leadership and the work of his staff also has changed the culture of the program in the classroom, the weight room and the community.”
Required reading
(Photo: Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today)
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