Toledo football coach Jason Candle has signed a contract extension through the 2026 season.
The two-time Mid-American Conference champion will be paid $1.1 million per season, with additional performance bonuses for win totals.
“I’m very appreciative of the support and confidence that President Postel and Bryan Blair have shown in me and in my staff,” Candle said. “The success of our football program is a team effort that is the result of the hard work by the student-athletes in our program, as well as the support provided by the tremendous team of coaches, staff, and countless others. We are determined to continue our mission of building on our program’s tradition of success. I’m proud to be a Rocket and proud to represent this great university.”
Candle will receive $75,000 for six wins during the regular season, $135,000 for seven wins, $265,000 for eight wins, and $325,000 for nine-plus wins. Any season that Toledo wins at least nine regular season games will result in an additional year being added to Candle’s contract.
Candle receives $25,000 for a MAC West championship or co-championship, $15,000 for appearing in the MAC title game, and $30,000 for winning the MAC title. He gets $20,000 for playing in a bowl and $30,000 for winning.
If he’s fired for cause in 2023, Candle would be owed $900,000. The amount goes down by $100,000 each year through 2026. The previous buyout called for Candle to be owed $700,000 per season that was left on the deal.
If Candle leaves Toledo for another job in 2023, he would owe UT $750,000. The amount reduces by $100,000 each year through 2026.
“I’m excited to do this,” Toledo athletic director Bryan Blair told The Blade. “I’ve watched Jason over the course of the year. I’ve watched him interact with the guys. I’ve watched how he prepares his team. I’ve watched how his team plays. I’ve been in the locker room for wins. I’ve been in the locker room for losses. I’ve seen him get dumped with an ice bucket more than once. I’m pleased to extend his contract and excited to lock arms together.”
In six seasons at UT, Candle is 54-32. His 54 wins rank third all time, behind Gary Pinkel (73) and Tom Amstutz (58). Candle is one of just three coaches in program history to win two outright MAC titles, joining Frank Lauterbur and Amstutz.
During Candle’s head coaching tenure, eight Toledo players have been drafted in the NFL.
The Rockets are coming off a 9-5 record in 2022 that included a MAC championship and victory over Liberty in the Boca Raton Bowl.
Candle was entering the final year of his current contract in 2023, which paid him $1.2 million per season.
“We had a lot of really good conversations over the year and particularly at the end of the season on where the program is and where we’d both like to see it,” Blair said. “I’ve [communicated] to him that I will do what I can to help the program. I know he’s committed to being here and elevating the program and building on that foundation of success.”
First Published January 25, 2023, 8:33 p.m.
