WVU athletic director Wren Baker (left) greets players after the Mountaineers lost to Penn State in an NCAA football game Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, at Milan Puskar Stadium in Morgantown.
WVU athletic director Wren Baker (left) greets players after the Mountaineers lost to Penn State in an NCAA football game Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, at Milan Puskar Stadium in Morgantown.
West Virginia athletic director Wren Baker has signed a contract extension through the end of 2032, WVU President Michael Benson said Thursday.
Baker signed his first contract extension in May 2024.
Baker was regarded as a candidate for the vacant athletic director position at Oklahoma, previously held by Joe Castiglione. Baker is a Valliant, Oklahoma, native.
Baker emphasized in a recent interview that he enjoys being in the Mountain State.
"People recognize that there are a lot of good things happening at WVU. I love it here [at WVU]," Baker said. "My wife and two girls, more importantly, love it here and love being here. We're very, very happy here. In the time I've been here, I've not ever entertained anything else. [However,] you also don't want to get into the habit of every time there's speculation, then it's your responsibility to pour water on it either.
"Generally, I don't address it. I've stayed consistent about what I can honestly tell people, and that is that we're extraordinarily happy here."
The contract extension, which was first reported on MetroNews by Benson, adds two additional years to Baker's contract.
The contract was signed by Baker on June 5.
"I am very impressed with the operation and how well he is doing in terms of revenue generation and forward thinking about where we want to take the university," Benson said on Thursday.
Baker is set to receive annual raises of $100,000, bumping him up to receive $1.3 million in 2025 and reaching $2 million in 2032.
The WVU AD will also be given incentive bonuses of $200,000 if he remains at the helm on July 1 each year until 2029.
That bonus would increase to $500,000 between 2030 and 2032.
Baker has led WVU sports since 2022.Â
He's made at least eight new head-coaching hires or promotions, with three coming in men's basketball alone.
Baker most recently hired Ross Hodge as the new WVU men's basketball coach, replacing Darian DeVries, and brought back Mountaineers football coach Rich Rodriguez, who took over after Neal Brown was fired.
