Eastern Washington head coach Aaron Best agrees to two-year extension

Eastern Washington head coach Aaron Best has agreed to a two-year contract extension, the school announced Thursday, keeping him in Cheney through 2024.

The Big Sky Conference Coach of the Year helped lead the Eagles to the FCS national title game last Saturday.

Details of Best’s new contract are not complete, the school said. When he accepted the position in 2017, he agreed to a five-year contract with an annual salary of $180,000.

Best, who has spent 22 years as a player and coach at EWU, said he’s happy to receive the extension.

“I am certainly grateful and humbled at the opportunity to be the head football coach for the foreseeable future,” Best said. “EWU and Cheney are special to our family.”

In his two seasons as head coach, Best has compiled a 19-7 record and is 13-3 in conference play.

“We are thrilled to be able to provide Aaron this extension and keep him at Eastern for years to come,” EWU athletic director Lynn Hickey said. “We appreciate his leadership and success of our football program, and Eagle Nation was excited to see the 2018 season end in Frisco, Texas, at the championship game. We know Aaron has big expectations for the future and we are anxious to see how that unfolds.”

EWU rally at River Park Square

A celebratory Eastern Washington football rally and proclamation will take place Saturday at 2 p.m. at River Park Square in downtown Spokane.

Swoop, the EWU cheer squad and band will be on hand to honor the Eagles, who finished 12-2 and advanced to the FCS championship game.

Speakers will include Best, EWU President Mary Cullinan, Spokane County Commissioner Josh Kerns and Hickey.