Ogden, UT (Sports Network) - Weber State University took the interim head coaching tag off Jody Sears and signed him to a three-year contract on Wednesday.
Sears, 45, earned the promotion despite Weber State finishing 2-9 overall and 2-6 in the Big Sky Conference this season.
He was named the Wildcats' interim coach on April 23 after John L. Smith left the program after only four months to become the University of Arkansas' interim head coach. Sears also served as defensive coordinator for the Wildcats during the season.
"Coach Sears was put into an unprecedented situation this past season and did a wonderful job of keeping our team together and leading the Wildcat football program," athletic director Jerry Bovee said. "He did it with style and class, engaging the community and fans in a positive way, all while maintaining stability in our program.
"Under Coach Sears' leadership, the team competed each week despite the difficult situation they faced this year with three head coaches in such a short time. He now has an opportunity to build the program and make the changes that will help get us back to competing for conference championships and taking the team into the playoffs consistently."
Sears is the 10th head football coach in Weber State history. Before arriving at Weber State, he spent three seasons as co-defensive coordinator at his alma mater, Washington State, in the Pac-12.
After Sears became Weber State's head coach, he immediately announced the hiring of Timm Rosenbach as the team's new offensive coordinator. Rosenbach spent this season as the offensive coordinator at the University of Montana.
