Aggies sweeten, extend Jans' deal

Apr. 15—Chris Jans, for now, remains the man for Aggie basketball.

New Mexico State on Wednesday announced a contract extension through the 2026-27 season for the fourth-year head coach who will also be getting a bump in pay — not from the university's main-campus administration, but from privately raised funds that now make up more than half of his $584,000 annual salary. That's before any bonuses, which also were tweaked.

"Sheri and I are honored to receive this contract extension from NM State," Jans said in an NMSU statement, though he did not speak with media on a Wednesday Zoom call with athletic department officials. "We are appreciative of the hard work, dedication, and generosity of the donors, Shari Jones and the 6th Man Club members, NM State's Board of Regents, administration, and especially (Athletic Director) Mario Moccia and (Deputy Athletic Director) Braun Cartwright."

The latter two spoke with media explaining the deal, which was mostly arranged last summer but then was put on a back-burner during the uniquely challenging circumstances brought on by COVID-19 during the 2020-21 season. Then came a bit of déjá vu for Aggie Nation that seemed, at least in part, to play into the timing of Wednesday's news.

Jans interviewed over the weekend in Dallas with UTEP athletic director Jim Senter for the Miners men's basketball vacancy. The Miners announced Wednesday they have hired Joe Golding, the former Abilene Christian coach.

Four years removed from Paul Weir leaving New Mexico State for in-state rival New Mexico, the Aggies were again facing at least the possibility of losing a successful coach to another bitter rival for more money. The prospect of such, at a minimum, was a bit of a gut punch.

"I hope Aggie Nation hopes that every lever the Athletic Department could push and pull, was," Moccia said. "... We don't have all the bells and whistles that maybe other places do, but my job is to find the best coaches. And if our rivals find that they want them as their coach and make a run at them, I can't do much about that."

As for a question posed about loyalty of a coach considering moving on to a rival, Moccia said he defines loyalty as "hard work, passion and I think Chris has displayed that in spades."

Jans' current contract running through the 2023-24 season will now be replaced by the new six-year deal that includes:

—$290,000 base salary (no change)

—$294,000 annual retention bonus (up $78,000)

—An additional $72,500 for Jans to split as he deems fit between himself and his assistant coaching salary pool (NMSU's staff salary pool is currently $314,000).

—Buyout is the same for coming season, but after 2021-22, Jans would owe $100,000 if he leaves for a "Power 5" coaching job or $50,000 for any other coaching job.

—$5,000 bonuses remain for every rivalry win over UNM or UTEP, and now includes such perks as an additional $1,000 for every win over a Division I team that finishes with 22 or more wins and a $10,000 bump for winning the WAC tournament or qualifying for the NCAA Tournament.