Aztecs introduce new coach Sean Lewis
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SDSU hired Sean Lewis as its 19th head football coach this week. Photo: Derrick Tuskan/SDSU Athletics
San Diego State University welcomed its new head football coach Sean Lewis, his wife and kids to the Aztec family at Snapdragon Stadium Wednesday.
What they're saying: "It is the best group of five job that is available," Lewis said at the press conference.
- "And the way that the college football world is expanding and improving, there was nowhere else that I wanted to be."
By the numbers: Lewis' five-year contract at SDSU will pay him $1.75 million in 2024, plus $100,000 performance-based annual increases, according to the memorandum of understanding signed by Lewis and SDSU administrators.
- The MOU also includes about $3.73 million for 10 full-time assistant coaches and other staff.
- Bonuses ranging from $10,000 to $400,000 will be awarded for conference titles and championship games, wins against top 25 teams, bowl appearances and other accolades.
Context: Lewis will make about $500,000 more than retiring coach Brady Hoke earned this season, per USA Today's salary database.
- His salary ranks fourth among Mountain West head coaches behind Wyoming's Craig Bohl ($2.34M), San Jose State's Brent Brennan ($2.3M) and UNLV's Barry Odom ($1.79M).
Of note: If SDSU changes conferences, the MOU allows for "good faith renegotiation" of the terms, "to the extent warranted by market conditions in such realigned Conference."
- Changes in broadcast revenues, peer compensation and other factors would also be considered.
The intrigue: While the Aztecs have struggled to fill seats in the stadium, Lewis was impressed by the new facility and hopeful his fast-paced offense will attract more fans.
- "This place and space we have right here should be the best home field advantage, the best competitive environment in all of college football," Lewis said.
- "This is an intimate venue, to where our alum, our fan base … you know the chargers fans looking for a team, we're your team."