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Jake Dickert talks about WSU contract extension: 'This is home to us'

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun announced Wednesday that football coach Jake Dickert has agreed to a contract extension through the 2027 season.

Dickert first signed a five-year, $13.5 million contract after the conclusion of the 2021 season, when the Cougars claimed the Apple Cup over rival Washington in dominant fashion for the then-interim head coach.

The new contract adds an extra year to that original deal.

“We have watched Jake Dickert reset the foundation of WSU Football that prioritizes family, selflessness, toughness, leadership and the total development of the young men on our football team,” Chun said in a statement. “Coach Dickert and the football staff strive to positively impact all those who come in contact with WSU football. We are fortunate to have Coach Dickert leading Cougar football for many years to come.”

After taking over the head coaching duties halfway into the 2021 season following the firing of Nick Rolovich, Dickert has guided his football team to an overall record of 10-9 in his time as head coach.

The Cougars have gone to bowl games in back-to-back seasons under Dickert, going to the Sun Bowl in 2021 and the LA Bowl in the 2022 season while finishing 7-6 each year, making Dickert the first coach in program history to guide the Cougars to back-to-back bowl games in his first two seasons.

“Pullman’s home for us, Washington State is home for me and our family and Candice and I couldn’t be more excited to extend our time here and be here and extremely dedicated into building something special here at WSU,” Dickert said.

During the 2022 campaign, his first full season leading the Cougars, Dickert continued the process of building the Cougars in his image, with defense being the forefront.

Senior linebacker Daiyan Henley led the way, becoming the first Butkus Award finalist in school history, and finishing in the top 40 nationally for tackles with 106 total.

WSU allowed just 22.9 points per game in 2022, the fewest points surrendered by a Cougars defense since the 2003 season.

The Cougars’ defense was strong throughout the year, finishing near the top of the Pac-12 in several categories, including tackles-for-loss (2nd), red zone defense (2nd), scoring defense (3rd), interceptions (3rd) and sacks (4th).

“This is home to us … just being ingrained in the fabric of Washington State,” Dickert reiterated. “It’s who we are, it’s what we love… we love Pullman, we love Washington State.”

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