Kansas State has agreed to a whopping $450,000 per year with the head coach on a new 5-year deal
Kansas State University has agreed to a new five-year contract with coach Jeff Mittie, which will keep him in his position through the 2028-29 season. Athletic director Gene Taylor announced the deal on June 28, 2024, but the financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.
Mittie has been the head coach of the women’s basketball team at Kansas State since 2014. During his tenure, he has led the team to five NCAA Tournament appearances and eight overall postseason appearances. The Wildcats had a record-breaking season in 2023, finishing with a 31-3 record and advancing to the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament.
The new contract extension is a testament to Mittie’s success in building and sustaining a championship-caliber women’s basketball program at Kansas State. It also reflects the university’s commitment to supporting and investing in the program’s future success. The announcement of the contract extension was met with excitement from fans and players alike, who expressed their enthusiasm for Mittie’s continued leadership of the team.
Jeff Mittie’s New Contract Details
Kansas State University and Jeff Mittie have agreed to a new five-year contract that will keep him as the head coach of the women’s basketball team through the 2028-29 season. The announcement was made on June 28, 2024, by Director of Athletics Gene Taylor.
Under the new contract, Mittie will receive a base salary of $450,000 per year, which is an increase from his previous contract. In addition to his base salary, he will also receive incentives for academic and athletic achievements, such as winning the Big 12 Conference championship or advancing to the NCAA Tournament.
Mittie’s previous contract was set to expire in 2026, but the university decided to extend his contract by two more years. The decision was made after Mittie led the Wildcats to their fifth NCAA Tournament bid and eighth overall postseason appearance during his tenure at Kansas State.
During his time at Kansas State, Mittie has compiled a 164-127 record and has been named the Big 12 Coach of the Year twice. He has also guided the Wildcats to a winning record in each of his eight seasons at the helm.
The new contract ensures that Mittie will continue to lead the women’s basketball team at Kansas State for the foreseeable future. With his proven track record of success, the university is confident that he will continue to build a winning program and bring national recognition to the Wildcats.
Recent Performance
Under the leadership of Jeff Mittie, the Kansas State women’s basketball program has continued to excel. In the 2022-23 season, the team finished with a record of 22-11 and made their fifth NCAA Tournament appearance under Mittie’s direction. The team’s success can be attributed to their strong defense and balanced scoring attack.
In recognition of his success, Mittie was awarded a two-year contract extension in July 2022 that will keep him at the helm of the program through the 2028-29 season. With Mittie’s leadership and the talent of the team’s players, the future looks bright for the Kansas State women’s basketball program.
Jeff Mittie’s Coaching Career
Jeff Mittie is a highly successful women’s basketball coach who has been leading teams for over three decades. With an overall career record of 644-370 (.635), he has consistently demonstrated his ability to guide teams to victory. Mittie’s most notable accomplishments include leading TCU to seven NCAA Tournaments and coaching the Horned Frogs to three consecutive Mountain West Conference titles from 2009 to 2011.
At Kansas State, Mittie has continued to excel as a coach, leading the Wildcats to four postseason appearances in his first eight seasons. He has also been recognized for his achievements, being named the 2024 Kansas Basketball Coaches Association (KBCA) Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year.
Previous Tenure at Kansas State
Mittie previously coached at Kansas State from 1999 to 2012, where he led the Wildcats to 10 NCAA Tournaments and a Big 12 Conference championship in 2008. During his tenure, he compiled a record of 303-175 (.634) and was named the Big 12 Coach of the Year in 2004 and 2008.
Mittie’s return to Kansas State in 2014 has been marked by continued success, as he has built a strong program that consistently competes at a high level. His commitment to excellence and his ability to develop talented players have made him one of the most respected coaches in women’s college basketball.
Impact of the Deal on Kansas State Athletics
The new five-year contract between Kansas State and women’s basketball coach Jeff Mittie is expected to have a positive impact on the Wildcats’ athletics program. The deal, which runs through the 2028-29 season, will provide stability and continuity to the women’s basketball team, which has been under Mittie’s leadership since 2014.
With Mittie at the helm, the Wildcats have been a consistent presence in the NCAA tournament, making four appearances in the last six seasons. The team has also been successful in the Big 12 conference, finishing in the top half of the standings each year under Mittie’s guidance.
The new contract is also a sign of the university’s commitment to its athletics program. By investing in a successful coach like Mittie, Kansas State is sending a message that it values winning and is willing to provide the resources necessary to achieve success.
In addition, the deal could have a positive impact on recruiting. With Mittie’s future at the university secured, he will be able to sell potential recruits on the stability and continuity of the program. This could be particularly important in a sport like women’s basketball, where coaching changes can have a significant impact on a team’s success.
The new contract between Kansas State and Jeff Mittie is a positive development for the Wildcats’ athletics program. It provides stability and continuity to a successful women’s basketball program and sends a message that the university is committed to winning.
Future Prospects for Kansas State Women’s Hoops
Kansas State women’s basketball team has a bright future ahead with the recent contract extension of head coach Jeff Mittie through the 2028-29 season. Under his leadership, the Wildcats have achieved five NCAA Tournament bids and eight overall postseason appearances. With this new deal, the team can continue to build on their success and make strides towards becoming a top contender in the Big 12 Conference.
One area where Kansas State has shown promise is in their recruiting efforts. The team has already secured a commitment from Finley Ohnstad, a talented guard from Lakeville South High School in Minnesota. Ohnstad was an All-State player last season and holds her high school’s all-time scoring record. With her potential to contribute in the 2025-26 season, the Wildcats could have another strong player to add to their roster.
In addition to their recruiting efforts, the Wildcats have a solid foundation of returning players. Senior guard Christianna Carr, who averaged 15.2 points per game last season, will be a key player to watch. Junior guard Rachel Ranke and sophomore forward Ayoka Lee also showed promise last season, with Ranke averaging 11.6 points per game and Lee averaging 16.3 points and 11.7 rebounds per game. With this core group of players, Kansas State has the potential to continue their success in the upcoming seasons.
Overall, the future prospects for Kansas State women’s basketball team look promising. With a talented head coach, strong recruiting efforts, and a solid foundation of returning players, the Wildcats have the potential to become a top contender in the Big 12 Conference and make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.
Reactions to the Contract Extension
The contract extension of Jeff Mittie with Kansas State has garnered positive reactions from the Wildcats community. The new five-year deal through the 2028-29 season shows the university’s confidence in Mittie’s leadership and his ability to continue to elevate the women’s basketball program.
Kansas State Athletic Director Gene Taylor expressed his excitement about the extension, stating that Mittie has done an excellent job of leading the program and building a strong culture of success. He added that Mittie’s commitment to the program and the university is evident, and he is thrilled to have him continue to lead the Wildcats.
Mittie’s players also expressed their enthusiasm for the extension, with senior guard Rachel Ranke stating that the team is thrilled to have Mittie as their coach for the next five years. She added that Mittie has been instrumental in helping the team grow and develop both on and off the court.
The contract extension also drew praise from the media, with the Wichita Eagle reporting that the deal puts Mittie in a position to continue leading the Wildcats until 2026. The new contract features a base salary of $2,745,000 over the next four years, along with several potentially lucrative bonus provisions.
Overall, the extension of Jeff Mittie’s contract has been well-received by the Kansas State community, with many expressing their excitement about the future of the women’s basketball program under his leadership.
Financial Implications of the New Deal
The new five-year contract between Kansas State and women’s basketball coach Jeff Mittie has financial implications for both parties. The deal, which runs through the 2028-29 season, features a base salary of $645,000 for the 2022-23 basketball season, which will increase to $670,000 the following year and then to $700,000 before Mittie will earn $730,000 in the final year of the contract.
In addition to the base salary, Mittie will be eligible for performance-based incentives, such as bonuses for winning conference championships, making the NCAA tournament, and advancing deep into the tournament. The specifics of these incentives have not been disclosed.
The financial implications of the new deal for Kansas State are significant as well. The Wildcats have made a long-term commitment to Mittie, indicating their belief that he is the right coach to lead the program into the future. However, the increased salary and potential incentives will put pressure on Mittie to continue to produce positive results on the court.
