POCATELLO, Idaho - Idaho State University and Football Head Coach Cody Hawkins have agreed on a five-year contract extension that will keep Hawkins in Pocatello until at least 2029.
"Idaho State University continues on an upward trajectory in the Big Sky Conference, and the University is excited to see Coach Hawkins build on the foundation he has established," Director of Athletics Pauline Thiros said. "A thriving Bengal Football program is important to ISU and the region. Coach's inaugural season, player feedback, continued major support from benefactors and partners, and his exceptional recruiting class all demonstrate his ability and value. Frankly, I did not want to wait another moment to extend his time in Pocatello."
Hawkins' new contract increases his salary to $222K, with $90,500 in potential supplementary compensation. His new contract incentivizes academic performance, home game attendance, wins, and playoff performance. The contract also includes bonuses of $2,000 each for the team's assistant coaches if the team performs well relative to their single-year APR scores.
"My family is excited and honored to have Athletic Director Thiros and President Wagner extend our time in Pocatello," remarked Hawkins. "I also want to express my gratitude for the hard work and faithfulness of our student-athletes, because none of this would be possible without them. THEY are what makes this program so special. Our incredible staff has also been instrumental in bringing love and joy into the lives of our team members.
I knew when I moved to Pocatello, I would love the community. The overwhelming support since my arrival has been incredible, and I will continue to work hard to reward the loyalty of the Bengal faithful. Our administration and athletic department have made many improvements over this past year that will put us in a position to be competitive on and off the field. I am confident that if we continue to make improvements at the current rate, we will bring a championship culture to Pocatello.
We have a wonderful journey ahead of us, and we need every single one of you along for the ride! We all owe it to our student-athletes to support them as best as we can. Please don't hesitate to reach out if Bengal Football can support YOU or our community in any way."
Since arriving at ISU in the summer of 2023, Hawkins has begun the revitalization of the Bengal football team, leading ISU to more wins in his first season since 2019. Hawkins led a Bengal football team that earned three all-conference honors, an All-American wide receiver in Chedon James and the number-one passing offense in the FCS in 2023. Hawkins committed to returning the "Throwin Idahoans" to prominence, and in his first year saw the Bengals become the #1 passing team in FCS football.
Head Coach turnover and recruiting choices had landed the football program in a tenuous position relative to academic performance, a position Hawkins quickly teamed up with administration to address. Under his leadership, the program has successfully executed its academic recovery plan, leading the football team to post a 3.18 cumulative GPA in the fall. Combined with a dramatically improved team culture, the program retained student-athletes at a high level this December and has not been negatively impacted by the transfer portal.
Recent investments in the football program have supported additional coaching positions, dramatically improved training table and nutrition resources, cost of attendance awards, improved facilities, and maximum scholarship equivalencies. With an extension for Coach Hawkins signed and approved by the Idaho State Board of Education, as well as a newly renovated and named ICCU Dome, the future looks bright for Idaho State University Football.
