San Jose, Calif.----- San José State University and its football head coach Brent Brennan agreed to a two-year contract extension for Brennan to coach the Spartans through the 2023 season. Marie Tuite, the Spartans' director of athletics, made the announcement.
With Brennan in his third season as head coach, the 2019 Spartans were one of 13 NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) teams to win four more games during the regular season compared to 2018 for a 5-7 overall record.
San José State was named the Reveal Suits Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) National Team of the Week for its 31-24 non-conference victory over Arkansas, the school's first football triumph over a Southeastern Conference (SEC) member.
The Spartans added a 34-29 non-conference victory at Army West Point placing San José State as just the 20th college football program all time at any level with football victories over the United States military service academies Air Force, Army West Point, and Navy.
San José State concluded its 2019 season with a thrilling 17-16 comeback win over geographic and Mountain West rival Fresno State for the Valley Trophy.
"This extension comes at an important time as we continue to build a championship football program. Coach Brennan has done an exemplary job in moving the needle competitively, achieving numerous academic performances and leading a praiseworthy 'Beyond Football' program," said Tuite.
"What is particularly important to me is this extension will provide consistent leadership for our football program and our student-athletes. The University is making a commitment to Coach Brennan. Equally important is Coach Brennan is making a commitment to San José State. It's a 'gold, white and blue ribbon day' for our Spartan football program."
"Coach Brennan is exactly the kind of coach we want here at San José State," said University President Mary A. Papazian. "He is a true teacher, mentor, and role model for his student-athletes. We are delighted to have him here for years to come, leading these student-athletes and helping them develop as both players and as people."
In his first two seasons as a head coach, Spartan football players earned 57 Mountain West academic awards, the most in any two-year period since joining the conference six years ago. San José State University players have participated collectively in more than 5,000 hours each year in its Beyond Football program that focuses on community service, campus engagement and personal professional development.
"I am so excited about this extension. I'm thankful for the hard work of Marie Tuite and President Papazian and their support and belief in what we are doing. This (extension) gives us the long term to continue building a championship program at San José State.
"I believe we've made great strides over the first three years, especially this season. To be in a position knowing the leadership is going to be here, we know there is going to be consistency in our process and our message.
"When I look around the country, the teams that are really successful have consistency in their coaching staff and leadership on campus. For our program and our players, it will be knowing what the expectations are day in and day out and continuing on a path of improvement and development."
An epic time to be a Spartan! #SpartanUp pic.twitter.com/J7PGL40yXP
— San José State Football (@SanJoseStateFB) December 14, 2019
The 46-year old Brennan returned to San José State on December 8, 2016, for his first head coaching opportunity after 16 seasons as a major college assistant coach at Cal Poly (2001-04), San José State (2005-10) and Oregon State University (2011-16). He began his college coaching career at the University of Hawaii in 1998 as a graduate assistant and served in the same capacity at the University of Washington in 1999 and the University of Arizona in 2000.
Brennan is a second-generation Spartan. Steve Brennan, his dad, was an end that lettered in football at San José State in the 1967 season. Beth Brennan, his mom, was a Spartan song girl during her college days.
Gallery: (12/13/2019) Brent Brennan Extention Press Conference