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The Utah State Aggies have extended the contracts for four head coaches — soccer's Heather Cairns, volleyball's Grayson DuBose, gymnastics' Jeff Richards and track's Gregg Gensel.
The Aggies gave Gensel a 10-year extension through the 2020-21, the school said Friday, while Cairns and DuBose each signed four-year extensions to remain in Logan through the 2014 season for their sports. Richards signed a two-year extension that runs through 2012-13.
"I have said that athletics is to Utah State University what the front porch is to one's home," athletic director Scott Barnes said. "It's not the most important room in the house, but it is the most visible. We couldn't be more proud of the coaches and student-athletes who stand on our front porch representing us every day."
Gensel already has worked as the head men's track and field coach for 23 years, and has led the women's program for 18 years. He has won 33 conference championships with the Aggies, and been named a conference coach of the year 29 times. The Aggies won the men's indoor and outdoor track titles in the Western Athletic Conference last year, while the women finished second in both seasons.
"I am excited and honored to be trusted with the responsibility of continuing to guide the track & field and cross country programs at Utah State, Gensel said. "I have spent nearly 30 years coaching at USU, and this is where I have always wanted to be. With this extension, there is no doubt that I will finish my coaching career as an Aggie."
Cairns will be entering her ninth season as the women's soccer coach next fall. She's the winningest coach in school history, and has led the Aggies to a pair of regular season WAC Championships during the past three years. She was the league's coach of the year in 2008.
DuBose is entering his sixth season at Utah State, having led the Aggies to their first WAC Tournament title and fourth NCAA Tournament appearance last season, with a 24-9 record, while Richards just finished his third year with the Aggies.