Following one of the most successful seasons in program history, Butler and head coach Chris Holtmann have agreed to a contract extension. Holtmann’s deal at Butler now runs through the 2024-25 season. Butler Vice President/Director of Athletics Barry Collier made the announcement Friday (April 28).
Financial terms were not released.
“Chris is a tremendous ambassador for Butler and the Butler Way, and his leadership has resulted in success both on and off the court for the talented young men in our program,” said Collier. “This commitment – both by our university and by Chris – allows the momentum within our program to continue.”
Holtmann has led the Bulldogs to a 70-31 record in his three seasons as head coach at Butler, including a 25-9 mark this season. The Bulldogs advanced to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2011. Butler’s 2016-17 season included a 14-5 regular-season record against 12 teams that made the 2017 tournament field. The Bulldogs had non-conference wins over Arizona, Cincinnati, Northwestern, Vanderbilt, Vermont, and Bucknell, in addition to a pair of wins over Villanova.
“I’m confident in the continued success of our men’s basketball program with Chris guiding our team,” said Butler President James Danko. “Our coaching staff and student-athletes represent Butler and our mission extremely well on a national stage. To have a basketball program among the top tier nationally, it is vital to have an exemplary leader in place — and we certainly have that person in Chris.”
This marked the third consecutive season that Butler has made the NCAA Tournament and won at least one NCAA Tournament game under Holtmann. He joins Roy Williams, John Calipari and Mike Brey as the only active coaches to lead their current teams to NCAA Tournament wins each of their first three seasons.
“Butler truly is a special place, and my family and I are thankful to be part of a great academic institution and an athletics department that is a source of pride for those who embrace Butler and The Butler Way,” said Holtmann. “Our student-athletes, our staff, and so many throughout our campus are remarkable at what they do, and I’m excited to continue to work alongside them.
“Our family and staff are grateful for the incredible leadership and support of Barry Collier and President Danko. There is significant work ahead as we look to continue the outstanding success this program has experienced over a number of years. We look forward to that work.”
Picked to finish sixth in the preseason BIG EAST coaches poll, Butler posted a 12-6 BIG EAST mark to place second in the league standings. Those same BIG EAST coaches selected Holtmann as the conference’s Coach of the Year.
Holtmann is the 2016-17 recipient of the John McLendon Award, presented annually by CollegeInsider.com to college basketball’s coach of the year. Additionally, for the second time in his three seasons at Butler, Holtmann was named a finalist for the Jim Phelan National Coach of the Year Award.
Holtmann was named Butler’s 23rd men’s basketball head coach in January of 2015, after serving for three months as interim head coach. He guided the 2014-15 Bulldogs to a 23-11 record, and followed that with a 22-11 mark in his second season. Including three seasons as the head coach at Gardner-Webb, Holtmann has 114 career wins.
Andrew Chrabascz earned 2016-17 first-team All-BIG EAST honors under Holtmann, while Kelan Martin was selected to the All-BIG EAST second team. Kamar Baldwin was voted on to the BIG EAST’s five-member All-Freshman Team. Martin and Baldwin are among five players expected to return who averaged at least 10 minutes of action per game this season. That group joins the highest-ranked recruiting class in Butler history.
