Sacramento State football coach Marshall Sperbeck signed a contract extension on Jan. 22 through the year 2012. Sperbeck and the Hornets come off a 3-8 season that had fans excited and ready to see what the new coach can do for the program.

“We’ve changed a lot of things with the program,” Sperbeck said. “Academics, study hall and student accountability to go to class. The discipline of the program has improved. Dr. Alexander Gonzalez and Dr. Terry Wanless took notice of those changes.”

Athletic Director Terry Wanless had his own assessment and reasons for giving Sperbeck the extension.

“He has a vision of hope for this program,” Wanless said. “During the course of the year we were very impressed with his coaching style and commitment to excellence. We knew it was the right thing to do, to show that we believe in him.”

Sperbeck’s ideology is based on athletes not only becoming good football players, but becoming good students and citizens first.

“The main thing is the kids having a plan in place,” Sperbeck said. “They have to practice and are accountable for being on time. Previous to me being here, things were done a little looser, kids weren’t held to that standard. They could get away with things. Now things are run a little tighter.”

Sperbeck’s discipline and structure were a big hit with players last season. The team was united and fell behind Sperbeck 100 percent.

“I think the biggest thing is Sperbeck got the community involved,” said former Hornet standout wide receiver and now USC film student Ryan Coogler. “His moves with community involvement- as well as his moves toward academic success. He brought a larger increase in discipline, and we had no off the field issues. Overall he was pretty successful in managing a football team in his first year, and showed a lot of promise.”

“(Sperbeck) has created a vision that the kids trust,” Wanless said. “He is one of the best coaches I’ve been around in my career.”

Even though the Hornets went 3-8 last season, that record is deceiving. The Hornets had 15 all-Big Sky selections and two honorable mention All-Americans in returning senior linebackers Mike Brannon and Cyrus Mulitalo.

Sac State was competitive in nearly every game. The Hornets came close to beating Montana (L, 17-3) who won the Big Sky, and Eastern Washington (L 38-30), a team that went deep into the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs. Those games could have gone either way, and might have a completely different outcome in the fall.

“The level of play is a lot different here than in junior college,” said Sperbeck, who coached at Foothill College for 15 seasons with a record of 109-53. “Learning the opponents in the Big Sky, and your own players was tough, it’s going to be much better the second time through.”

Sperbeck said the kids coming back from break are excited about working out and expect to have a great spring running into next fall.

With the signing of a four-year extension, there are expectations that go along with it. Sperbeck didn’t seem to mind as it is evident he is focused on his goal of having his first winning season as a Hornet.

“There is always pressure to succeed,” he said. “The most pressure is the pressure you put on yourself, because your expectations are higher than anyone else.”

Sperbeck brings confidence and a group of Sac State players that are dedicated to something that hasn’t happened very much in the past few years, winning.

“Our main goal is to have a winning season,” Sperbeck said. “It is something that is very attainable. We just have to continue to go in the right direction.”

Sac State will kick off the season in the fall against Humboldt State at Hornet Stadium on Aug. 30.

Galen Kusic can be reached at [email protected]