North Dakota State University Athletics announced in a press release on Tuesday, Nov. 25, that Tim Polasek has agreed in principle to a contract extension to remain as head coach of the Bison’s football team.

“After several productive conversations with Coach Polasek, we have affirmed our commitment to both him and the long-term success of NDSU football,” North Dakota State University director of athletics Matt Larsen said in an issued statement. “Coach Polasek’s impact on the football program over 12 seasons, and especially the past two seasons as our head coach, has been remarkable. I am happy he and Jill are staying home at NDSU as we focus our energy on the upcoming FCS playoffs.”

Coach Polasek led the Bisons through the regular season to an undefeated record of 12-0 and the No. 1 ranked seed heading into the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision playoffs. Polasek’s total record as head coach at NDSU is 26-2. The Bisons took down six ranked opponents this past season and won their twelfth Missouri Valley Football Conference championship.

The announcement of coach Polasek’s contract extension comes after he was named one of 15 coaches named finalists for the Eddie Robinson Award. The award is presented every year to the national coach of the year in the Division I FCS as selected by a national voting panel. Former NDSU head coach Craig Bohl was previously awarded it in 2012 and 2013.

The Bison’s first-seed placement earned them a bye for the first round of the 2025 FCS playoffs, and they will take on either Illinois State or sixteenth-ranked Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday, Dec. 16.