Santa Clara, Calif. – Herb Sendek, head coach of Santa Clara men’s basketball, has extended his contract to remain with the program through the 2029-30 season. The announcement was made by Director of Athletics Heather M. Owen.
“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 stated. “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.”
Sendek, who began his tenure on March 29, 2016, will enter his tenth season as head coach in 2025-26. Over nine seasons, he has achieved a record of 161-120 (.573), ranking fourth in program history for wins.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to coach the men’s basketball program at Santa Clara,” Sendek expressed. “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 past six seasons under Sendek’s leadership have been notably successful, marking one of the most prosperous periods in Bronco history with 117 wins since 2019-20—second only in a six-year span from 1967-68 through 1972-73. This includes victories against Power 6 opponents and ranked teams.
In four recent seasons alone, Sendek led Santa Clara Broncos to tie their best four-year stretch with 85 victories (1966-67 through ’69-70). Notably, they participated in consecutive National Invitation Tournaments (NIT) during 2021-22 and 2022-23—the first back-to-back postseason bids since mid-’90s—and returned again in 2024-25 making three appearances over four years while consistently finishing within top-four WCC standings across those years.
