Idaho State Director of Athletics Pauline Thiros has announced that a five-year contract extension has been finalized for Idaho State women’s basketball coach Seton Sobolewski that extends to May 21, 2027 and comes just one year into Sobolewski’s earlier five-year deal. The contract increases the current base salary to $139,287 and includes built-in annual salary increases of $6,000.
The contract also calls for nine different bonus opportunities totaling a maximum of $95,500 in annual supplemental compensation.
“Achieving a back-to-back Big Sky Championship last season scores another extraordinary mark in what is a tremendous legacy for Bengal Women’s Basketball,” said Thiros. “This extension reinforces our belief in Coach Sobolewski and his staff. They are doing excellent work to continue building championship teams in a very competitive environment.Their commitment to our student-athletes, and their enthusiasm for our University is important and appreciated.”
The extension comes after the women’s basketball program repeated as Big Sky Conference Champions, finishing 19-12 and earning a bid to the WNIT where the team nearly upset the University of Wyoming in the first round.
Sobolewski, who is the winningest coach in Idaho State women’s basketball history, is beginning his 15th season and boasts an overall record of 250-182 and 159-94 in Big Sky Conference play. Under Sobolewski’s direction, the women’s basketball program has won the Big Sky Conference championship three times and advanced to post-season play. Sobolewski has been named the Big Sky Conference Coach of the Year three times and has guided his teams to five postseason appearances during his tenure, playing in the WNIT three times and the NCAA Tournament twice.
Under Sobolewski, the Bengals have finished .500 or better in 11 seasons while tallying 20 wins or more in four of his seasons. His teams reached the Big Sky Tournament championship game in 2012, 2016, 2017 and 2021.
Since Sobolewki’s hire in 2008, the Bengals have knocked off an impressive four Power 5 Conference teams on the road in Utah, Washington, Wisconsin and Kansas State.
“My family and I are thrilled about this contract extension. I am very appreciative of the commitment that President Satterlee and Pauline Thiros have made to women’s basketball, and that they continue to make,” said Coach Seton Sobolewski. “It is an honor to continue as the Idaho State Women’s Basketball Coach.”
