POCATELLO, Idaho - Idaho State University Athletics and Head Football Coach Cody Hawkins have agreed to a contract extension through the 2031 season.
"I enjoy working with Coach Hawkins. Cody has been central to reigniting belief in Idaho State Football," said Director of Athletics Pauline Thiros. "In just three seasons, he has built a program that competes with confidence, develops outstanding young men, and makes our university proud. The team is performing at a very high level relative to the game, as well as academically. The momentum surrounding Bengal Football is real, and the future is bright and exciting! Extending Coach Hawkins reflects our commitment to sustained success and our belief that the best days of Idaho State Football are still ahead."
Hawkins, named the 20th head coach in Idaho State football history in the winter of 2022, has overseen a steady and significant rise in the Bengal program across his first three seasons. After posting a 3-8 record in 2023, Hawkins guided Idaho State to a 5-7 mark in 2024 and a 6th place Big Sky Conference finish, including the program's highest win total since 2018.
"I want to sincerely thank AD Pauline Thiros and President Wagner for their continued support of our football program, both tangibly and intangibly," remarked Hawkins. "My wife Tianna and I love raising our kids in Pocatello and are excited to continue pouring our hearts into this program the same way this community has poured into us. We have a long way to go to reach our goals, but the commitment of these players, the staff, and this program have me excited for what is ahead! We will work tirelessly to create the program that Idaho State University and the City of Pocatello deserve."
Last year, the 2025 season, marked the program's most complete campaign under Hawkins, as the Bengals finished 6-6 overall and 5-3 in Big Sky play, winning four straight games to close the regular season and earning the program's strongest conference finish since 2018 and a 4th place finish in the Big Sky race.
The 2025 Bengals produced one of the most memorable stretches of football in recent program history. Idaho State earned a signature road victory at sixth-ranked UC Davis, 38-36, in one of the program's highest-ranked road wins all-time. The Bengals also swept their rivalry trophy games, reclaiming the Train Bell Trophy with a 31-3 Senior Day win over Weber State before closing the regular season with a 37-16 road victory at Idaho in the Battle for the Potato State Trophy. Idaho State ended the year with the Big Sky's top total offense, top passing offense, and gave up the fewest sacks in the country (FBS, FCS, and DII). Special Teams had the nation's top net punting unit, while the defense held their opponents to the fewest points allowed since the 2002 season when the Bengals last captured a share of the Big Sky Title.
The program placed 11 players on the All-Big Sky teams following the 2025 season, its most all-conference selections since 2020.
The 2024 season also produced notable milestones. Hawkins led the Bengals to a 43-35 win over Weber State in Ogden on Nov. 9, 2024, becoming the first Idaho State head coach to win in Ogden since Jim Koetter in 1984. Kicker Gabe Panikowski capped a perfect field goal season by earning first-team All-American honors and the Fred Mitchell Outstanding Place-Kicker Award. Wide receivers Jeff Weimer and Christian Fredericksen both earned first-team All-Big Sky recognition, with Weimer becoming just the ninth Bengal receiver in program history to surpass 1,000 receiving yards, both of whom are now playing at the next level.
Hawkins and the Bengals open the 2026 season August 29 as they host the VMI Keydetes in the ICCU Dome to kick off an exciting season of football ahead.
