Weber State football: McBride rewarded with contract extension

OGDEN — Ron McBride entered the final season of his original four-year contract at Weber State knowing he needed to have a good showing to be asked back.

Six straight conference wins, an 8-2 overall record and a top-10 national ranking ensured that Mac will indeed be back.

McBride, 69, agreed to a new four-year contract to remain as Weber State's head football coach through 2012 on Tuesday morning. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but McBride confirmed he'll be getting a raise from his current $113,840 annual salary. He was in the final year of his first contract he signed with Weber State in December 2004.

"I'm really happy because this is where I want to be and this is what I want to do," McBride said. "I like this team, and I like where we're at. It took a little while to work out the details, but it's a very fair contract."

McBride has compiled a 23-20 overall record with the Wildcats. That record isn't too much better than average, but the way the current season has gone, as well as the direction of the program, made re-signing McBride a no-brainer.

The Wildcats are 6-0 in the Big Sky for the first time in school history, and they are one win away from earning a share of the conference title for the first time in 21 years. Weber State is ranked No. 9 in The Sports Network Poll and 10th in the Division I FCS Poll.

"I'm excited," said Weber State athletic director Jerry Graybeal. "It's going to bring some continuity to the program and staff. It helps solidify the foundation which he and his staff have laid the last four seasons."

Graybeal acknowledged McBride's masterful skills as a recruiter as one of his strengths. He also said the team's improved academic performance in the last couple of years was a factor in wanting to retain McBride.

McBride has long been known as a players' coach, and his guys are happy he'll continue to lead the program.

"I think it's fantastic," said defensive tackle Derek Johnson. "Look at what he's done and everything that's going on. He's harvesting the fruits of his labor, I guess you could say. No doubt in my mind he deserves it. The whole coaching staff deserves it."

McBride's agent is his daughter, Jill, and she had been negotiating a new contract with the Wildcats' administration for a couple of weeks. The two sides quickly agreed that the term length would be four years, and McBride acknowledged that this is most likely his final coaching contract.

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