Board approves pay raise for Boise State coach

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Boise State’s Chris Petersen is now among the college coaches making at least $2 million a year.

The State Board of Education on Wednesday unanimously approved a $375,000 pay raise for Petersen for 2012.

The board is also expected to consider a new five-year deal next month designed to keep Petersen in Boise until January 2017 rather than in some other lucrative and challenging coaching job.

The pay raise and new contract come as Petersen’s name resurfaced this week in Penn State’s search for a new head coach.

In six seasons at Boise State, Petersen has led the Broncos to a 73-6 record, two BCS bowl victories and membership in the Big East Conference starting in 2013.

His current contract called for a 2012 salary of $1.625 million before the raise.