Sports Illustrated’s Ross Dellenger was the first to have the news, reporting through sources that Kotelnicki had agreed to a contract that extends his contract five years. That will keep the talented coordinator under contract with KU through the 2027 season, three years longer than the term of his initial contract, which he signed in 2021.

A source with knowledge of the make-up of the KU coaching staff told the Journal-World recently that defensive coordinator Brian Borland also agreed to an extension with Kansas. Terms of that deal were not disclosed.

The Journal-World has requested but not yet received the contract extensions for both of Lance Leipold’s coordinators, both of which have been with him dating back to his time at Division III Wisconsin-Whitewater.

The news comes on the heels of Leipold agreeing to a new contract that will keep him in Lawrence through the 2029 season. Part of Leipold’s new deal, which included a significant raise, was more money in the pool for his staff and assistant coaches.

Asked Monday if he and Leipold discussed the potential for an extension while Leipold was negotiating his own new contract, Kotelnicki said their close relationship helped keep him informed about the possibilities.

“We’ve been together for a long time (and I feel) very fortunate that he wants to stay together,” Kotelnicki told reporters on Monday afternoon. “Credit to him, our chancellor and our athletic director for making it happen. I’m very fortunate and blessed to be here for as long as I will be now. And it’s exciting.”

While the extension and presumed raise were welcomed, Kotelnicki said what the move represented was just as exciting.

“This is a fantastic university and this community is awesome,” Kotelnicki said. “When you look at the trajectory of our football program and where we can go, it has brought me a lot of joy to be a part of rebuilding things. So, professionally, to know that whatever your goals are, you can get all those done here while turning the program around, that is super, super rewarding.”

Kotelnicki aspires to be a head coach one day, and sources told the Journal-World his was a name of interest on several programs’ coaching lists during the past month. But he added that, in an era when head coaches are jumping from one place to the next quicker than ever, he was happy right where he was.

“When you have the opportunity to say that you can reach all your goals right where you’re at, at an awesome place, why the hell would you leave,” he said.