San Diego, CA -- (Sports Network) - Brady Hoke was announced as the next football coach by San Diego State University on Tuesday.

Hoke turned down an offer to stay at Ball State and while his original contract was until 2010, he invoked a buyout clause that allowed him to become the 17th head coach in San Diego State history as he signed a five-year contract with the school.

Hoke led the Cardinals to a cinderella season in 2008, finishing 12-1 with their lone loss coming against Buffalo in the MAC Championship game. The school still finished 22nd in the final regular season BCS standings and earned a bid to the GMAC Bowl on January 6 against Tulsa.

It is unknown if Hoke will coach Ball State in the bowl game.

San Diego State started its search for a new coach after firing head coach Chuck Long one day after finishing up a 2-10 campaign this season.

Hoke had started to build up the Ball State program even before its near-miss at an undefeated season in 2008. The Cardinals produced a 7-6 overall record, and a 5-2 conference mark in 2007, leading to their first bowl appearance since the 1996 season -- receiving an invitation to the International Bowl.