MANHATTAN — Kansas State basketball coach Bruce Weber has received a one-year contract extension through the 2018-19 school year after leading the Wildcats to 47 wins in his first two seasons, the most victories by any coach in his first two years in school history.
Kansas State athletic director John Currie announced the extension Wednesday, citing Weber’s 47-21 record since taking the helm in March 2012, including two straight NCAA tournament appearances. Lon Kruger is the only other Wildcats coach to have led the team to NCAA appearances in his first two seasons.
“A significant part of building a successful program is continuity, and this type of commitment ensures that we have all the parts necessary to continue to build upon what we have accomplished the last two seasons,” Weber said in a statement.
Weber will be paid $2.25 million during the extension year. If Weber stays through the end of his contract, he will also receive a $500,000 retention bonus, Currie said, adding that salaries for Weber’s assistant coaches also will rise.
The K-State Athletics Inc. Board of Directors unanimously approved the extension.
Weber led Kansas State to a 20-13 record last season and a berth in the NCAA tournament, where the Wildcats lost to Kentucky in the second round.
In his first season, Weber led Kansas State to one of the best seasons in school history with a 27-8 record and a share of its first conference championship in 36 seasons. The 27 wins were the school’s second-most in a single season and gave the Wildcats only the fifth season of at least 25 wins. Weber was named Big 12 Coach of the Year that season.
“Our men’s basketball program continues to make terrific progress under Coach Weber and his staff since their arrival,” Currie said. “I am excited about the future of our program and forward trajectory under his leadership.”