Utah State Finalizes Stew Morrill’s Contract
After leading Utah State to its first national ranking since 1978, advancing to five straight postseason tournaments, and posting its fifth straight 20-win season, head men’s basketball coach Stew Morrill has signed a new eight-year contract that will keep him at USU through the 2011-12 season.
In his six years at Utah State, Morrill has led the Aggies to five of the top seven seasons in school history and has won three of the last five Big West Conference regular season championships. He has posted an overall record of 143-46, including a 79-23 mark in league play. Over the last five years, he has led USU to the fourth-best winning percentage in the country with a 128-33 (.795) record.
“I feel very fortunate that Utah State has made such a strong commitment to me and our coaching staff,” said Morrill. “I really appreciate President (Kermit) Hall’s willingness to show that he wants us to be here and I also thank (acting director of athletics) Fred Hunsaker for all his efforts in finalizing this agreement.
“Since the day I came to Utah State, I’ve felt like I would finish my coaching career here and this agreement will allow that to happen. The loyalty shown by all involved is something that will always be very special to me.”
Utah State has been just as successful academically under Morrill as nearly 80 percent of his players have received degrees from USU, and the team has produced six academic all-Big West selections over the last two years to lead the league.
During the 2003-04 season, Morrill led Utah State to its first national ranking since 1978 as the Aggies were ranked among the top-25 teams in the country for seven straight weeks to end the regular season. USU finished the year with the best winning percentage (.862) in school history, as they recorded the third-most wins ever with its 25-4 record.
“We are extremely pleased to have an agreement that will continue coach Morrill’s excellent service to Utah State University, its fans and supporters,” Hunsaker said.
Morrill’s new contract, which is effective July 1, includes a raise in his base salary from $214,000 to $267,000, a $30,000 radio package, and includes financial incentives based on winning the regular season conference championship, recording 20 wins, victories versus top-25 opponents, and a team cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better.
“We are excited about our final Big West season and the challenge that awaits when we join the Western Athletic Conference in 2005-06,” added Morrill. “Everyone involved with our program will strive to make Utah State fans proud of Aggie Basketball.”
In 18 years of collegiate coaching, Morrill owns a 361-184 (.662) record. He was 97-52 (.651) in five years at Montana (1987-91), 121-86 (.585) in seven years at Colorado State (1992-98), and is 143-46 (.757) in six years at Utah State (1999-2004).