SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Santa Clara men's basketball head coach Herb Sendek has signed a contract extension that will keep him at helm of the program through the 2029-30 season. Director of Athletics Heather M. Owen made the announcement on Monday.
 
"Coach Sendek is the right person to lead Santa Clara men's basketball and I am thrilled that he will continue to do so," Owen said. "I have been impressed with his ability to navigate the ever-changing landscape that is college athletics while remaining true to our Santa Clara values. He is one of the best teachers in the game and we are grateful to have him as the leader of our program."
 
Originally hired on March 29, 2016, Sendek is entering his 10th season as the Broncos' head coach in 2025-26. During his previous nine seasons, he has put together a 161-120 (.573) record, and has the fourth-most wins in program history. 
 
"I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to coach the men's basketball program at Santa Clara," Sendek said. "We will continue to be a program that is easy to cheer for and one that the entire Bronco Community can be proud of. We have a tremendous fan base and I'm so grateful for their support over the years. Santa Clara is a special place and I'm thrilled to continue to be a part of it. I want to say thank you to Dr. Sullivan, Heather Owen and the Santa Clara Board of Trustees for this opportunity and for continuing to believe in what we are doing."
 
The last six seasons of the Sendek Era have been particularly impressive and rank among the most successful stretches for any coach in Bronco history. Santa Clara has won 117 games since 2019-20, which is the second-most wins in a six-year stretch in program history (1967-68 through 1972-73). Among the victories during that stretch were 11 against Power 6 opponents and three against ranked opponents. Five of the six seasons saw the Broncos post 20 or more wins with the lone exception being the 2020-21 campaign that was shortened to 20 games total due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Excluding the Covid year, it is the first time that Santa Clara has ever posted 20-win seasons in five consecutive years. 
 
In the last four seasons alone, Sendek has guided the Broncos to 85 victories, which is tied as the best four-year stretch in program history (1966-67 through '69-70). In 2021-22 and 2022-23, he led the team to the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) for Santa Clara's first back-to-back postseason bids (NCAA or NIT) since 1994-95 and 1995-96. In 2024-25, the Broncos returned to the NIT for their third postseason appearance in four seasons. The Broncos also finished inside the top four of the WCC standings in all four years, their longest stretch doing so since 1995-2002.