Y. extends Bronco's pact

BYU administrators decided to be "fully invested" in head football coach Bronco Mendenhall Wednesday when they tossed him a raise and extended his existing contract through the 2011 season, after negotiating details for two weeks.

"Bronco has done a tremendous job of re-establishing BYU's tradition of football excellence and leading the program back to national prominence," according to BYU athletics director Tom Holmoe.

While details of his new contract were not released, the 2006 MWC Coach of the Year had two years remaining on his current BYU contract. The new deal rewrites those years and extends the agreement for three more.

"I'm thrilled and honored to be able to coach at BYU the next few years. I'm optimistic about our future, and I'm committed to returning this program to the dominance it once knew," said Mendenhall.

"I take this as a compliment and I'm thankful our athletic director, having been a former head coach, has acted proactive. That means a lot to me. It shows that the actions I'm taking as a head coach and the assistants and players are being rewarded."

Mendenhall said the raise does not meet any personal goals with tenure and money. "I just want to do my best with the program in fulfilling the legacy left by LaVell Edwards and others. I'll simply do my best until that time is up."

Neither BYU or Mendenhall talked about money figures in the deal.

But the new pact may elevate Mendenhall closer to the top of the league in compensation, a spot currently held by TCU coach Gary Patterson ($952,000), according to Coacheshoteseat.com, an Internet site that lists contracts and salaries of college coaches. That same site estimates Mendenhall's salary at $900,000, but this figure is unconfirmed. Sources say Mendenhall was hired for half that in 2005.

"The BYU football program is heading in the right direction, and I credit Bronco's leadership qualities for the success we've enjoyed in his first two seasons," said Holmoe.

The boost in Mendenhall's contract will be funded outside university coffers, part of a $10 million endowment by 400 boosters who are expected to contribute $25,000 each, according to sources. The interest from the endowment will pay for the raise and will also be used to make the salaries of other successful coaches, such as basketball coach Dave Rose, more competitive with peers.