Official: Mike Petke signed to multi-year extension

As expected, Real Salt Lake coach Mike Petke has officially signed a long-term contract extension at the club.

In a press conference, Petke said when joining Real Salt Lake, he knew he was joining something special.

“For me to move my family across the country to be a part of something — it has to be a part of something special,” Petke said. “I knew from the beginning this would be something special.”

An important part of his tenure has been working with RSL general manager Craig Waibel. Petke said they have a “healthy collaboration.”

“Craig and I have a phenomenal relationship, not only do we have defined roles, but we both come to each other in our roles,” he said. “We’re all on the same page. It’s the most important and it’s what I want out of an organization. We all have the same goal, and we’re going to do whatever it takes to get there.”

In the press conference, Dell Loy Hansen said the staff embodies a collegial approach.

“I do want everyone to know — we’ve never had a more collegial program going towards a cooperative goal than we are now,” Hansen said. “They’re colleagues, they’re leaders, they have a passion all the way up and down the ladder.”

Petke did say he and his family have put down roots in Utah, but he might be excused for an ounce of hesitation.

“We are rooted in Utah, although I just heard about rattlesnakes and bobcats where I live when the weather gets warm,” he said.