7/25/2017 other sports Edit

AD Barbour: 'Long-term agreement' in place for Cael Sanderson

Athletics director Sandy Barbour said it was never a concern about losing Sanderson. (Mark Selders/GoPSUSports)

BWI Staff

Rivals.com

CHICAGO – If it wasn't already, it's official now. Penn State wrestling coach Cael Sanderson is staying put.

Speaking to reporters in Chicago at Big Ten Media Day, athletics director Sandy Barbour confirmed that the four-time national coach of the year has re-upped his contact. His previous pact expired at the end of June.

On Tuesday, Barbour said that an agreement has been reached to keep Sanderson in his current position for the foreseeable in future.

"Cael and Penn State have executed a new long-term agreement," she said.

Details of the contract, however, have yet to be publicized – and they might not become public due to a new university guideline. Barbour said while they are required to divulge information about its coaches for the revenue sports, Olympic sports don't fit the same criteria.

"We're obligated to announce and have board approval on athletic director, football and the two basketball coaches," Barbour said. "The rest of them we're not making practice of that."

Sanderson is fresh off his sixth NCAA team championship in the last seven years. A graduate of Iowa State, where he finished his collegiate athletic career with a 159-0 record and four national titles, Sanderson started his coaching career with the Cyclones in 2006-07. He coached three seasons at his alma mater before he was hired by former AD Tim Curley at Penn State in 2009.

This past season, as part of a championship performance in St. Louis, Sanderson led five Nittany Lion wrestlers to individual NCAA titles, which tied a college wrestling record. He has now coached 18 national champions, 16 of which have been at Penn State. He has also helped his wrestlers secure a total of 58 All-America honors, 43 of which have occurred at Penn State.

"What Cael and our wrestling program have done is absolutely spectacular, but there was never an issue (about the contract)," Barbour added. "There was never a concern (about a contract extension). It was a matter of getting to the right place. "