Bowling Green head football coach Scot Loeffler has signed a multi-year contract extension.

Loeffler, who was hired as Bowling Green’s 20th full-time head coach Nov. 28, 2018, is now signed through the 2025 season, which would be his seventh at the helm of the BGSU program.

“I am excited to partner with Scot Loeffler to continue the process of building this program,” said Bowling Green Director of Athletics Derek van der Merwe.

“Scot has done what he said he was going to do – build a program the right way. BGSU football has had some monumental wins in the last few years, including two important wins coming against our rival Toledo.

“This contract extension is a commitment to Scot, his vision, and the culture he is building in this program. I am looking forward to working with him to move this program forward.”

Loeffler’s contract extension has an annual base compensation of $560,000 in 2023, $580,000 in 2024 and $600,000 in 2025.

Coming to BGSU in November 2018, Loeffler inherited one of the nation’s biggest rebuilding projects as the BGSU offense and defense both ranked nearly last in the nation in both offensive and defensive production the season before his arrival.

The gains during Loeffler’s tenure started to take root in 2021 and by 2022 Bowling Green was back in a bowl game for the first time since 2015 as the Falcons took part in the Quick Lane Bowl.

Bowling Green became one of four FBS programs in 2022 whose win totals improved four games from 2020 to 2021 and then improved two more games from 2021 to 2022. Joining BGSU on the list were Kansas State, Oregon State and Tennessee.

In 2022 Loeffler led BGSU to his second win over Toledo in four tries making him the second BGSU head coach since 1991 to win multiple games over the Rockets in his first four meetings with UT.

He joins Gary Blackney who won his first four meetings against Toledo (1991-92-93-94). The win at UT in 2022 was just the third at the Glass Bowl for the Falcons since 1994 and the first since 2008.

In the 2021 season, the rebuild started to turn as the Falcons enjoyed some signature wins, highlighted by a 14-10 triumph at Minnesota. The Gophers ultimately finished the year 9-4 and in second place in the West division of the Big Ten.

BGSU’s gains in 2021 were foundational as the Falcons were one of the nation’s youngest teams with 71 student-athletes on the roster that were taking part in their first or second season of college football.

Under Loeffler talent has been developed. Karl Brooks was a force to be dealt with on the defensive line in 2022 as he earned first-team All-America honors from Pro Football Focus (PFF) after finishing 11th in the nation with 10 sacks, which also rank third all-time at BGSU on the career single-season ledger.

Brooks led the nation in total pressures (69) and was the highest-graded player (93.0) at his position in the nation per PFF. Brooks’ impressive showing at the Senior Bowl has him climbing NFL Draft boards.

Brooks led a defensive unit that finished with 38 team sacks in 2022, which ties the 1992 and 2012 Bowling Green teams for most in a season in records dating back to 1990. Over 90 percent of BGSU’s sacks in 2022 came in a base defense.

Offensively, Matt McDonald finished his BGSU career ninth all-time in career passing with 5,921 passing yards after throwing for 22 touchdowns and 2,654 yards in 2022. His 22 passing touchdowns rank 11th on BGSU’s all-time single-season ledger.

Former tight end Quintin Morris excelled in Loeffler’s offense, leading the MAC’s tight ends in receiving in 2019. Morris, who also was seventh nationally among tight ends in receiving during 2019, is now on the active roster of the Buffalo Bills.

“My staff and family are excited to continue our plan at BGSU,” said Loeffler. “Our staff and players have worked extremely hard on a very big rebuild project. All of us are ready to take the next steps with this program.

“We appreciate all the support of Dr. Rogers, Derek van der Merwe, the athletic department, the faculty, the community, the fans and the former BGSU players. We will work relentlessly to take the next steps in our program.”

Bowling Green finished spring football on March 3. The Falcons open the 2023 season at Liberty on Sept. 2 and return for the home opener on Sept. 9 against Eastern Illinois at Doyt Perry Stadium.