University of Michigan director of athletics Dave Brandon announced Wednesday (July 17) a contract extension that will keep John Beilein as the men’s basketball coach through the 2018-19 season. Beilein led the Wolverines to the national championship game this spring and to four NCAA Tournament appearances in the past five years.
"I am very excited to have this opportunity to coach at the University of Michigan for at least five more years," said Beilein. "I am grateful that President Coleman and Dave Brandon are pleased with the direction of our program and have extended this offer of agreement. My staff and I will continue to work every day with our student-athletes to ensure they grow from this incredible educational opportunity. At the same time, competing for Big Ten championship will be the goal each and every year.
"Kathleen and our entire family love being a part of the Michigan community and feel honored and blessed to continue to be able to represent this great university," added Beilein.
"John is a tremendous ambassador of the University of Michigan and one of the most highly respected coaches in the country," said Brandon. "He recruits outstanding young men to represent the men’s basketball program and develops them as players, students and future leaders. John has built a program that will compete for Big Ten championships on a regular basis and make exciting NCAA Tournament runs. We look forward to John, Kathleen and the entire Beilein family representing the University of Michigan for the foreseeable future."
Beilein
Beilein and the men’s basketball program came within one victory of the program’s second national championship this past season. Making their first Final Four appearance in 20 years, the Wolverines defeated Syracuse in the national semifinal before falling 82-76 to Louisville in the national championship game. Michigan won a school-record-tying 31 games (31-8) during the season, with electrifying victories over Kansas (87-85 in OT) in the Sweet 16 and a dominating win against Florida (79-59) in the South Regional final.
Guiding one of the youngest teams in the nation, Beilein and the Wolverines were ranked in the top 10 in the Associated Press poll for the entire 2012-13 season, reaching the No. 1 ranking on Jan. 28. U-M earned four victories over top 10 teams, won the NIT Season Tip-Off Tournament, finished with a 17-1 home record and was the last team in the country to suffer its first defeat (Jan. 13). The Wolverines came within a tip-in of winning consecutive Big Ten titles and posting a perfect record at Crisler Center.
Beilein led Michigan’s surge to the top of the Big Ten standings during the 2011-12 season. The Wolverines claimed a share of the 2012 Big Ten championship, the program’s first conference title since 1986. U-M posted a 24-10 overall record and went 13-5 in conference play. Michigan continued its strong play at home, posting a 15-1 mark at Crisler Center.
Beilein has compiled a 55-18 overall record and a 25-11 mark in conference play over the past two seasons. During that time, the Wolverines have won 32 of their last 34 games at Crisler Center.
Stay with HoopDirt for the latest college basketball coaching news and rumors.
