University of North Florida head basketball coach Matthew Driscoll agreed in principle to a contract extension as announced by UNF Director of Athletics Lee Moon. The deal extends Driscoll from the end of his current contract in May of 2022 through May of 2025.
Driscoll, who just concluded his 11th season at the helm of the UNF program, has the Ospreys coming off one of the most successful season in program history. North Florida finished with a 21-12 overall record highlighted by a program record 13-3 mark in the ASUN. North Florida captured it’s third regular season ASUN championship in the last six seasons and had received and accepted an invitation to participate in the postseason CollegeInsider.com Tournament (CIT). Over the past six seasons, UNF owns a 59-29 record in ASUN play, posted a 69-17 mark at home and went 92-51 with 50 double digit wins against Mid-Major opponents.
“I am excited to have the opportunity to extend Coach Driscoll’s contract and have him leading our basketball program for several years to come,” said Moon. “I also want to acknowledge the support and assistance of President Szymanski in making the extension a reality. During his time at UNF, Coach Driscoll has established a standard for developing a championship-level culture both on and off the court. He has built a highly competitive climate along with a true family atmosphere, which is a goal of our entire athletics department. Our team’s on-court successes are important but just as important to me has been the solid character of men that Coach Driscoll and his staff have produced in the classroom and the community. He has been an important and integral factor in demonstrating a unique UNF while connecting our team, the athletic department, the UNF campus and our Jacksonville community together. This extension is a reflection on his dedication and commitment to North Florida as well as an investment in continuing our goal of being a championship caliber basketball program year in and year out.”
UNF has boasted double digit win totals every season under his direction, including three seasons with 20 or more victories. His career record at North Florida is 184-179 featuring 105 ASUN wins. Driscoll and his staff were named the 2019-20 ASUN Coaching Staff of the Year for the third time in his career. The all-time winningest coach in Osprey basketball history, Driscoll climbed into the Top Five in ASUN Conference history for overall and conference wins. He registered several milestone victories during the season including: 200th career coaching win, 175th win at UNF, 100th win at UNF Arena and 100th ASUN victory.
During his tenure, North Florida players have earned 50 weekly ASUN accolades including 31 Player of the Week honors. UNF has produced 14 All-ASUN selections including eight first-team honorees. Six Ospreys have been named to the ASUN All-Freshman team during his career while 11 garnered ASUN All-Tournament honors highlighted by Demarcus Daniels being named Tournament MVP in 2015. Driscoll pupil’s have also earned ASUN Player of the Year twice, ASUN Freshman of the Year twice, ASUN Defensive Player of the Year three times along with an ASUN Newcomer of the Year honor.
In the classroom, 63 players have earned ASUN Academic Honor Roll recognition in addition to 10 ASUN All-Academic team selections. Trent Mackey (2016) and JT Escobar (2019) both garnered ASUN Scholar-Athlete of the Year recognition under Driscoll’s tutelage, while Wajid Aminu collected the prestigious CoSIDA Academic All-District honor. Escobar was also tabbed the 2019 Arthur Ashe, Jr. Sports-Scholar Award winner for college basketball.
“First of all, I want to thank President Szymanski and Coach Moon for continuing to believe in the culture we have worked to establish,” Driscoll stated. “It’s a culture committed to helping young men of character become champions on the court, in the classroom and out in our UNF/Jacksonville community. Carrie and I are excited to have the opportunity and blessing of continuing our career at UNF for many years to come. We are also grateful for the chance to move forward with our mission alongside our loyal staff. We are eager for next season’s reload following another amazing championship season led by a senior class that departs with the full understanding of our core principle of reaping what you sow.”
North Florida’s Driscoll agrees to contract extension
Photo Courtesy North Florida Athletics
