Utah State Head Coach Craig Smith Confirms Contract Extension With Aggies
Feb 16, 2021, 3:58 PM | Updated: 4:05 pm
Head coach Craig Smith of the Utah State Aggies celebrates with his team after defeating the San Diego State Aztecs to win the championship game of the Mountain West Conference basketball tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center on March 7, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Aggies defeated the Aztecs 59-56. (Photo by Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images)
(Photo by Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Utah State men’s basketball head coach Craig Smith confirmed that he inked a contract extension to remain with the Aggies for the foreseeable future.
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During USU’s media availability on February 16, Smith said that he finalized the deal in late 2020.
Smith added that the contract ties him to the Aggies for five more seasons after the 2020-21 campaign ends.
“I think in December or November when it got finalized,” Smith said. “We had been in talks for a while about some things and I don’t know, I don’t even remember the specifics offhand. But I believe it’s after this year, it’ll be five more years in terms of the contract and we’re excited about it. We love Utah State. It’s been an amazing place for my family.”
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He is currently in his third season with the Aggies.
Prior to his time with Utah State, he served as the head coach at Mayville State and South Dakota.
He has to win on the court but new @USUBasketball head coach Craig Smith definitely won the press conference. What do you think about the hire Aggie fans? #aggiesalltheway @KSL5TV pic.twitter.com/zicXSLFdMt
— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) March 28, 2018
After taking over in March 2018, Smith has led USU to back-to-back Mountain West Conference Tournament titles and automatic berths to the NCAA tourney.
Coach Craig Smith’s expression of pure elation during the trophy ceremony is a priceless Aggie moment. #AggiesAllTheWay #MWMadness @kslsports pic.twitter.com/KrNlUU9CJN
— Sam Farnsworth (@Samsworth_KSL) March 8, 2020
In his first season in Logan, the Aggies had a 28-7 overall record and went 15-3 in conference play. USU upset the San Diego State Aztecs in the MWC tourney title game.
Craig Smith cuts down the net as Aggie fans celebrate. @USUBasketball is the @MountainWest tournament champions! pic.twitter.com/d95oq5wksd
— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) March 17, 2019
The victory secured Utah State a spot in the NCAA Tournament. The Aggies fell to Washington in the Round of 64.
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Last season, Smith’s team went 26-8, including a 12-6 record in the Mountain West. The Aggies repeated as Mountain West tourney champs with another win over the Aztecs. Unfortunately for Smith and his team, the 2020 NCAA tourney was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.
.@USUBasketball head coach Craig Smith and his team wrapped up practice as they continue preparations for tomorrow’s game in the @MountainWest quarterfinals.
📺 @KSL5TV #AggiesAllTheWay | #MWMadness pic.twitter.com/brUQOWypTz
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 4, 2020
This season, Smith has led the Aggies to a 14-5 start.
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Smith owns a career record of 219-104.
The Aggies currently sit atop the Mountain West standings with an 11-2 record in conference play.
Utah State’s next game is against the Boise State Broncos on Wednesday, February 17.
