Doba gets new contract through 2009

PULLMAN – Washington State announced Monday that it had extended the contract of football coach Bill Doba by two years, through the 2009 season.

Doba completed his second season as head coach in 2004 after serving for 14 years as a Cougars assistant.

The new contract calls for the same base salary Doba received when he signed a five-year deal in December 2002, $500,000, but he could make up to $335,000 a year in incentives. His initial contract called for up to $285,000 in incentives.

“I am extremely grateful to (athletic director) Jim Sterk and the administration for having the confidence in me to extend the contract,” Doba said in a statement. “I am looking forward with optimism to the future of Cougar football.”

It’s an unknown if Doba, who will turn 65 in September, will want to coach out the five remaining seasons in his contract. But the extension could help give the program a greater sense of stability, something that can help when recruiting high school stars desiring a program with continuity.

“I want Coach Doba to know that we support what he’s doing, that we feel great about the direction of the program under him,” said Sterk, who is in Indianapolis for an NCAA conference. Sterk said the two had been discussing an extension for some time and finalized it at the end of last week. “The success of the program depends on recruiting, so that is one of the factors, to know that there is no change.”

Continuity has been a hallmark of Doba’s tenure. After the initial exodus of some assistants following Mike Price’s departure, not one position coach or coordinator has left the Palouse under Doba’s watch.

“He’s an integral part of building the program as defensive coordinator and then as a head coach he’s everything we had hoped he would be and more,” Sterk said.