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Lance Leipold was a bit of a question mark when he was hired to Buffalo straight from Division III Wisconin-Whitewater, where he went 109-6 and won six national championships. With extremely limited D-I coaching experience, many wondered in Leipold would acclimate in time.
The answer to that question was confirmed Friday morning, as the University at Buffalo announced they have agreed to terms of an extension with Leipold until 2024.
“I’m very appreciative of Lance Leipold’s unwavering commitment and dedication to building a championship caliber football program here at UB,” Buffalo athletic director Mark Alnutt said via press release. ”This program has seen outstanding growth and success both on and off the field during his tenure. I’m excited to work with Lance and his staff as we continue this positive trajectory for many years to come.”
Leipold, who holds an overall record of 31-32 at Buffalo, has led Buffalo to 24 wins over the last three seasons, with a MAC East division title and MAC Championship Game appearance in 2018 and the program’s first bowl victory in 2019. The Bulls have been the MAC’s winningest program by percentage (.691) over the last two seasons.
Leipold’s 31 wins and counting are already the fourth-best in the program history, and he is reposnsible for four of the program’s nine 5+-win seasons since the program was incorporated into Divison I (FBS) in 1999.
Buffalo has produced 37 all-conference players in his five seasons at the helm, including a program-record 12 players in 2019; in that time, Buffalo has also had 33 all-academic players, surpassing the program’s total (27) prior to his arrival.
Per Rachel Lenzi of the Buffalo News, Leipold’s extensions will “remain under the same terms, with minor changes to the bonus structure.” Buffalo News reports that Leipold currently makes annual base salary of $465,000, with “additional compensation of $150,000, and bonuses ranging from $5,000 (annual APR rate) to $100,000 (participation in the College Football Playoff).”