POCATELLO, Idaho (July 17, 2025) - Idaho State University and Director of Athletics Pauline Thiros have announced a five-year contract extension for Head Football Coach
Cody Hawkins, through the 2030 Football season.
"While we're proud of the steady progress Coach Hawkins and his staff have made on the field, what truly sets him apart is the culture he is building within our program. Coach Hawkins is deeply committed to developing student-athletes of strong character who excel at their work on the field, but also in their life and academic goals. The football student-athletes are thriving under his leadership, and this extension reflects our belief in his vision and our confidence in the foundation he's laying for sustained success at Idaho State," said Director of Athletics Pauline Thiros.
"I am honored, humbled, and thrilled to have such amazing support from our administration and the Bengal Community," remarked Head Coch
Cody Hawkins. "President Wagner and Athletic Director Thiros have been instrumental in improving every facet of our program so that we may serve our student-athletes at an elite level. While we have championships in our future, it is our relentless pursuit of improvement that makes me so excited about where this program is headed."
The new contract puts Hawkins at $230,000 annually, with supplementary compensation for on-field performance, academic progress and retention, and attendance at home games. In addition, the deal includes a potential bonus of up to $2,000 for each assistant for meeting annual APR benchmarks - which was in effect this year for the stellar performance of Bengal student-athletes in the classroom.
"The recent completion of our new practice facility caps yet another capital improvement that has happened since my arrival," continued Hawkins. "Every year our fans, boosters, students, and administration find ways to get better. Our potential here is limitless, and the journey my family and I have been a part of so far is incredib. I'm excited to pour my heart and soul into the Pocatello community and will continue working hard to make all Bengals - former, current, and future - proud!"
2024 saw a marked improvement in the Bengal program. Picked 10th in the Big Sky preseason poll, Hawkins led the Bengals to a 5-7 overall record and a 6th-place finish in the Big Sky Conference, the highest win total for the Bengals since the 2018 season.
On November 9, 2024,
Cody Hawkins led the Bengals to a 43-35 win over Weber State in Ogden, bringing the Train Bell Trophy back to Pocatello. Hawkins became the first ISU Head Coach to win in Ogden since Jim Koetter in the 1984 season.
Under Hawkins in 2024, the Bengals earned seven Player of the Week awards, five coming from Bengal kickers
Ross Bolger and
Gabe Panikowski. The Bengals finished the 2024 season with one of the top kicking squads in the nation. Panikowski finished perfect on the year in field goals and was named a first-team All-American and the recipient of the Fred Mitchell Outstanding place-kicker award.
Hawkins also coached two of the top receivers in the Big Sky in the 2024 season.
Jeff Weimer and
Christian Fredericksen were both named 1st team all-conference for their efforts during the season. Weimer became just the 9th Bengal receiver in program history with over 1,000 single-season receiving yards, ending the year with 1,016. Fredericksen was also on track to pass the 1,000 mark before being sidelined for the final game of the season with a lower-body injury.
Idaho State finished the 2024 season a top-10 passing offense in the nation, averaging 298.4 yards per game. 15th in the nation in total offense at 427.9 yards per game, T-9th in 4th down conversion percentage at .333 and 13th in the nation in first down offense. On special teams, the Bengals finished 14th in the nation in net punting. The Bengal offensive line finished the season number 6 in the nation in sacks allowed with only .83 allowed per game and number 7 in tackles for loss allowed.
His first year at the helm of the Bengal program 2023, Hawkins finished 3-8, with a 42-41 win over #22 Eastern Washington.
During the regular season, the Idaho State Bengals held the No. 1 passing offense in the FCS with 330.1 passing yards per game. The Bengal passing game was led by first-team All-Big Sky, and Walter Payton Award Finalist wide receiver Chedon James. James finished the 2023 season with 1,045 receiving yards, 7th best all-time in Idaho State team history.
Hawkins came to the Bengals after serving six seasons as a member of the UC Davis Aggie coaching staff, and three years as the offensive coordinator. He brought an extensive and successful coaching career at the youth, high school, collegiate, professional and international levels prior to his arrival at UC Davis in 2017.
