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Boise State, head coach Leon Rice agree to contract extension

leon rice

One day after it was reported that Boise State head coach Leon Rice interviewed for the head coaching vacancy at Washington State, which is his alma mater, the Mountain West school did what it took to make sure the coach would remain in Boise.

Boise State announced Saturday afternoon that the school and Rice have come to agreement on a raise of $100,000 to his base salary for the 2014-15 season. And in the four years that follow, Rice will receive a 3% raise in each campaign. With guards Anthony Drmic and Derrick Marks both expected back for their senior seasons, keeping Rice ensures that the nucleus will remain intact for next season.

“I am really excited for the future of Bronco basketball,” Rice said in the release. “There has been a great commitment to grow this program. There’s a commitment from our administration, our student-athletes and our fans. That’s what has me looking forward to continuing to build what we have here at Boise State.”

In four seasons at Boise State, Rice has a record of 77-54 and has won at least 20 games in each of the last two seasons. He’s the second Mountain West coach to receive a new contract after interviewing for a job, with UNLV’s Dave Rice in line to receive an extension through 2019 after speaking with USF about its vacancy.

Boise State will need to account for the graduation of three members of its rotation, with guards Thomas Bropleh and Jeff Elorriaga and forward Ryan Watkins all out of eligibility. Watkins, who averaged 11.9 points and 10.6 rebounds per game and was a second team All-Mountain West selection, is the most notable personnel loss of the three.

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