Football | December 20, 2018

BOISE, Idaho– The Western Michigan Division of Intercollegiate Athletics and Director of Athletics Kathy Beauregard have announced the extension of head football coach Tim Lester's contract through the end of the 2023 season.
 
The agreement adds two years to Lester's original five-year contract. Lester was hired on Friday, Jan. 13, 2017, becoming the 16th head football coach in school history.
 
"Western Michigan is home to me and this has always been my dream job," Lester said. "Our staff is committed to this program, winning championships, and continuing to move this program forward. I would like to thank Kathy Beauregard, Dr. Montgomery, and the University for the continued belief in our leadership."
 
"Over the past two years, Coach Lester has developed incredible relationships with his student-athletes with the philosophy and understanding that our team will compete for championships and on the national level," Beauregard said. "Coach Lester has laid the foundation for his leadership of this program, which has been demonstrated with back-to-back top recruiting classes in the Mid-American Conference. This extension confirms our support of Coach Lester, allowing him to pursue the University's championship goals and build Broncos for life."
 
In his second season, Lester led Western Michigan to a 7-5 regular season record and a berth in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. The Broncos will face BYU tomorrow, Friday, Dec. 21, at 4 p.m. ET.
 
On Wednesday, Lester and his coaching staff completed their 2019 recruiting class, which was ranked as the No. 1 class in the Mid-American Conference. It marked the second-straight year Lester and his staff have landed the top recruits in the MAC, as the 2018 class was the highest rated in the history of the conference.
 
The Broncos have been bowl eligible in both seasons under Lester and compiled 13 wins over the last two years. WMU has also produced three NFL Draft picks, two All-Americans and 19 All-MAC selections during his tenure.
 
Western Michigan has continued to excel off the field under Lester. Last season the Broncos had 16 Academic All-MAC selections and followed it up this season with a program record and league-best 20 honorees. WMU football has been a mainstay in the Kalamazoo area through various community service initiatives.
 
Lester was a four-year starter at quarterback for the Broncos from 1996-99 and an assistant coach at WMU during the 2005 and 2006 seasons. He was also a head coach at the Division II and III levels and made coaching stops at Syracuse and Purdue prior to taking over at his alma mater.