Eastern Kentucky University Vice President and Director of Athletics Matt Roan announced a two-year contract extension for men’s basketball head coach A.W. Hamilton. The extension will keep the 2020 Ohio Valley Conference Coach of the Year in Richmond through at least the 2023-24 season.
“In two short years, A.W. has done a phenomenal job returning our men’s basketball program back among the best in the OVC. Having worked together previously and knowing him before I arrived, this is not at all surprising” Roan said. “He has engaged and energized our fan base and he and his family have immersed themselves fully into the Richmond and EKU communities. He recruits high-quality, high-potential student-athletes and he has surrounded himself with exceptional assistant coaches who support one another and develop the young men in the program. I am fired up to watch the growth and success of A.W. and EKUHoops for years to come.”
Hamilton was voted the OVC Coach of the Year and the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) District 18 Coach of the Year after leading Eastern to an impressive turnaround in 2019-20. Following a 6-12 OVC campaign in 2018-19, the Colonels went 12-6 this year, earning a No. 4 seed and reaching the semifinals of the OVC Tournament.
“I want to thank EKU Chair Lewis Diaz, Interim President David McFaddin and Director of Athletics Matt Roan for the faith and support they are placing in me with this extension,” Hamilton said. “It is a blessing to be around and work with three people who have an outstanding love and passion for this university. The trust and belief they have in me has allowed me the freedom and security to build not only a great team, but a championship level program.”
EKU’s 12 conference wins this season are tied for the second-most in program history. The 2019-20 Colonels are one of only four EKU teams ever to win 12 or more OVC games, joining the 1964-65 (13), 2006-07 (13) and 2012-13 (12) squads.
Following a tough non-conference slate, Hamilton rallied EKU to a 9-2 conference start. It was the Colonels’ best OVC start in 41 years.
“My staff and our student-athletes are a huge piece to what makes us go, and I am grateful for each and every one of them,” said Hamilton. “As we head into year three, with our brand of basketball firmly in place, this extension allows us to continue being ambassadors for EKU in the classroom, in the community and on the court.”
Hamilton – a Georgetown, Kentucky native – has installed a fast-paced offense and pressure defense that saw the Colonels rank fifth nationally in forced turnovers (18.2/game), seventh in steals (9.3/game) and 10th in turnover margin (+4.3) this season.
Last season, EKU ranked second nationally in both steals (10.2/game) and forced turnovers (18.2/game), as well as 13th nationally in scoring (82.6 points/game).
Under Hamilton, Eastern has shattered the school record for points scored in a game (145) and the OVC record for points scored in a half (87).
“Chelsea and I are ecstatic to know we are home for many years to come,” Hamilton said. “As a Kentucky native there is no better honor in my eyes than being able to lead a basketball program in the Commonwealth. I love that our program is representing the city of Richmond every time we take the floor. The commitment being made to our program from the administration, fans, and students resonates directly with our team. Our guys fed off the positive energy we received all throughout our conference season, and we want to continue to build on that.”
Hamilton inks 2-yr extension at EKU
