HONOLULU — Qualifying for two Hawaii Bowls in his first three seasons has earned Hawaii football coach Nick Rolovich a little job security. The former UH quarterback has agreed to a two-year contract extension, athletic director David Matlin announced Tuesday.
Rolovich’s contract was set to expire after the 2020 season, but has been extended through 2022. If the Rainbow Warriors qualify for a bowl in 2019 or 2020, another year will be added on, taking the deal through 2023.
“We’re very appreciative of what Nick and his staff has accomplished in his first three seasons,” Matlin said in a release. “Nick has elevated our football program with two bowl appearances and this season with the most wins since 2010. He is a great representative of our university and his ‘Live Aloha, Play Warrior’ slogan has resonated throughout the community. We are thrilled to be able to extend his contract and look forward to the next few years of Rainbow Warrior football.”
It is expected that the new deal will provide Rolovich with a raise on the approximate $400,000 annual salary outlined in his original deal, but Matlin would not confirm that or provide any salary figures.
“It’s truly an honor to coach at my alma mater, it’s a privilege that many coaches aren’t able to do,” Rolovich said in a release. “I’m thankful to David Matlin and the University of Hawaii administration who gave me my first head coaching opportunity and now to extend my time here. I realize Rainbow Warrior football means a lot to the university community and the state of Hawaii and my staff, student-athletes, and I will continue to work hard to maintain a successful program.”
UH has gone 18-22 in Rolovich’s three seasons, including a Hawaii Bowl win in 2016 over Middle Tennessee State. The Warriors lost to Louisiana Tech in last month’s Hawaii Bowl to finish 8-6, the program’s first winning season since 2010.