BOZEMAN — BOZEMAN — Montana State's Danny Sprinkle finalized a deal Friday morning to become the next men's head basketball coach at Utah State, a source confirmed with MTN Sports on Friday.
Utah State officially announced Sprinkle's hiring Friday afternoon releasing this statement in a press release:
"We are thrilled to announce Danny Sprinkle as Utah State's new men's basketball head coach," Bovee said. "Danny checked all the boxes we were looking for as he is driven, energetic and motivated. He is also an excellent coach and proven recruiter. His skill set aligns perfectly with our mission of developing outstanding student-athletes on and off the basketball court, competing for conference championships and advancing to postseason play."
According to a public records request, Sprinkle signed a five-year contract with Utah State and will earn a base salary of $900,000 with an annual increase of $25,000.
For perspective, Sprinkle's annual base salary at Montana State was $185,711 with a buyout of $250,000. Utah State is fronting that cost.
Before taking over Montana State’s program in April 2019, the Bobcats hadn’t had a winning season since 2010.
Sprinkle hasn't finished below .500 in his four-year tenure and wraps up his time at Montana State with an overall record of 81-43, a winning percentage that equates to .653.
Statement from Montana State’s AD Leon Costello about Danny Sprinkle: https://t.co/HwNO91dhLs
— Ashley Washburn (@ashleyjwashburn) April 7, 2023
Montana State finished the 2022-23 season with a 25-10 stamp to mark the program's second-straight 25-win season for the first time since 1929.
Under Sprinkle's leadership, Montana State clinched back-to-back Big Sky championships with a seven-point win over Northern Arizona this season in the conference tournament, which also earned the program’s first-ever consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances.
Sprinkle released this statement Friday afternoon saying there are no words to describe his last four years with the Bobcats other than it was special because of the people:
There are no words that can describe how thankful I am to be one of you. The last four years have been absolutely unbelievable and I will cherish every memory we had together. Montana State is special because of the "people"! To every player who ever wore the Montana State jersey. I thank you and I cherish our brotherhood. To Waded Cruzado and Leon Costello, I will be forever grateful for you believing in me and giving me my first opportunity. To the 6th Man Club, Bobcat fans and alumni everywhere, Bobcat Athletics administration, and faculty on campus, the restaurants and businesses in town, I THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart! I will always be a Bobcat and I hope and pray that I made you proud. I LOVE YOU!
Sprinkle replaces Ryan Odom who left for Virginia Commonwealth University.
The Aggies went 44-25 under Odom's leadership (2021-23) with one NCAA Tournament appearance. As a program, Utah State has won one regular-season Mountain West championship, which happened during the 2018-19 season, and has made 23 appearances in the NCAA Tournament.
As far as what’s next for Montana State, a source shared with MTN Sports that assistant Chris Haslam is an early candidate to take over as the program's next head coach.
#MSUBobcatsMBB's Chris Haslam is an early candidate to take over as Montana State's next head coach, a source confirmed. pic.twitter.com/dI728XTMLu
— Ashley Washburn (@ashleyjwashburn) April 7, 2023
Haslam has been a key piece to Montana State’s growing success over the past 10 seasons and is known best for his ability to recruit internationally.
A few of the players he's recruited include Jubrile Belo, Great Osobor, Caleb Fuller, and Harald Frey.
Montana State is expected to hold a press conference next week about its search for a new head coach.
