FAYETTE, Iowa - Upper Iowa Vice President of Athletics Rick Hartzell has announced a three-year contract extension with head football coach Jason Hoskins, effective immediately.
"I am extremely pleased to announce that we have a contract extension in place for Coach Hoskins that will keep him with the Peacocks for the foreseeable future," Hartzell said. "Jason has done a tremendous job with this program, leading us to success that has never been seen at Upper Iowa. He is an outstanding coach, a tremendous leader of young men and a joy to work with, as we continue to build this program into a perennial winner both on the field and in academic success and personal growth of our team off the football field. We are excited about our returning student-athletes, and we are in the midst of an outstanding recruiting year, which will allow us to sustain success and reach a GLVC championship."
Under Hoskins' leadership, the Peacocks have won 16 games over the past two seasons, the most in program history in a two-year span. Upper Iowa won the most games in a single season with nine this fall while adding the first bowl victory in the 132-year history of the program.
"It's a privilege to be the Head Football Coach at Upper Iowa University, and I'm truly humbled," Hoskins said. "I want to thank VP of Athletics Rick Hartzell, and President Kathy Franken for their support of me and the football program. None of this is possible without the student-athletes we have in our program and the staff we have in place in and around our program. Upper Iowa will continue to see success both on and off the football field. This is a great institution, and we will continue to be a premier destination for high-level football student-athletes. Our Division II football brand continues to grow, and "Upper Iowa Football" is a name that is associated with success. I look forward to continuing to lead this program and help the young men we have here achieve their goals."
This season, Upper Iowa totaled its most points (397) and touchdowns (53) in a single season in program history. UIU also had the most total offense in a single season at 5,179 yards. The Peacocks ranked fifth in total passing (2,966 yards) and fourth in average yards per game (431.6) in program history.
Hoskins has totaled 31 First and Second Team All-Conference selections during his five-year tenure at Upper Iowa. Kicker/Punter Nathan Behne became the first player since 2011 to earn a conference player of the year award.
The 16th head coach of Upper Iowa football earned his bachelor's degree in history and secondary education from Loras College in 2005 and his master's degree in education from the University of Minnesota-Duluth in 2013. He and his wife, Kelly, are the proud parents of three kids, Ella, Michael and Kate.
