Denver Signs Jim Montgomery to Contract Extension

The University of Denver officially announced on Wednesday that they have signed head coach Jim Montgomery to a contract extension through the 2020-2021 season.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed although The Denver Post reports that Montgomery will be among the highest paid coaches in the NCHC.

Recent NCHC coaches to sign new contracts include St. Cloud head coach Bob Motzko, who earns $241K a season, and North Dakota head coach Brad Berry, whose salary ranges from $280K to $406K with bonuses. (Newly hired Wisconsin head coach Tony Granato has a base salary which begins at $500,000 and increases each year.)

Montgomery faced a tough task when he took over the Pioneers in 2013. He came to Denver on the heels of the Pioneers surprise firing of legendary coach George Gwozdecky after Gwozdecky had posted 12 consecutive 20+ win seasons and six consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament.

But despite taking over a team looking to be in rebuilding mode, Montgomery guided the Pioneers to 20 wins and an NCAA Tournament berth in his first season thanks to a surprise run through the NCHC conference playoffs. Since then, Montgomery has continued to build upon that success. This past season, he posted a career-best 25 wins and led Denver to their first Frozen Four appearance since 2005.