One of the best young(er-ish) head coaches in the game of college football is being rewarded after just one season on the job.
Utah State announced Thursday afternoon that it has reached an agreement on a contract extension with Matt Wells that will also include a raise. Wells will now be signed through the 2018 season, while his salary, which was just over $500,000 in 2013, has been increased to over $800,000 annually including incentives.
Wells was promoted from offensive coordinator to head coach in December of 2012 after Gary Andersen left the Aggies to take over for Bret Bielema at Wisconsin.
“Matt had a great first year leading our football program. His commitment to our student-athletes has been tremendous and they’ve responded with great results in the classroom and on the field,” said athletic director Scott Barnes in a statement. “Matt has deep roots here as a former Aggie quarterback and he conveys his passion for our great university on a daily basis.”
The 40-year-old Wells, who has been a coach USU since 2011, went 9-5 in his first season as a head coach at any level, leading the Aggies to the inaugural Mountain West Championship game as well as the program’s third-ever bowl win a few weeks later. He played football at USU in the mid-90s.
During Andersen’s final season in 2012, the Aggies went 11-2.
“I’m very appreciative of the support shown by President Stan Albrecht and Scott Barnes in our staff and myself,” said Wells. “We are motivated daily to continue the culture that has been set here at Utah State in the football program and we will continue to strive toward our goals of graduating our student-athletes on time, and competing for and winning Mountain West Championships.”