The University of Rhode Island and head men’s basketball coach Dan Hurley have agreed to a two-year contract extension through the 2023-24 season.
“The University of Rhode Island is pleased to support the two-year extension of Dan Hurley’s contract. Dan’s leadership and commitment to our student-athletes has now firmly established our men’s basketball program as one of the top in the Atlantic 10 conference, ” said David M. Dooley, president of the University of Rhode Island. “We look forward to next season and continuing to build on the momentum that Dan, his coaching staff, and our student-athletes have developed over the past few years.”
Rhode Island trailed for just 43 seconds through the 120 minutes of play in the Atlantic 10 Championship in Pittsburgh. On March 12, Rhode Island beat VCU, 70-63, capturing the conference crown for the second time in program history. With the win, URI advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 18 years and downed Creighton, 84-72, in the first round before being upset by eventual Final Four participant Oregon, 75-72, in the second round. The Rams finished the 2016-17 season with a 25-10 overall record.
“I appreciate the opportunity to continue to lead the Rhode Island men’s basketball program. So much goes into building a championship culture and I am proud of the efforts we have made in all facets of our program. We know there is a great responsibility in representing our state university and we are proud of our many successes in competition, in the classroom, and in the community,” Hurley said. “I am thankful for the partnership we have with university leadership and look forward to working with President Dooley and Thorr Bjorn as we continue to increase the profile and growth of Rhode Island Basketball. My family and I are proud to call Rhode Island our home and look forward to the years ahead.”
Rhode Island returns over 70% of its offense, led by a pair of rising senior guards – E.C. Matthews and Jared Terrell. Matthews was the named Most Outstanding Player during the Atlantic 10 Championship and led URI in scoring, averaging just under 15.0 points per game. Terrell ranked among the Rams’ leaders in virtually every offensive category, ranking third on the squad at 12.6 points per game. Seniors Jarvis Garrett and Stanford Robinson and sophomore Jeff Dowtin – an 2017 Atlantic 10 All-Rookie team selection – round out a veteran Rams’ backcourt that saw each player score at least 21 points in a single game a season ago.
“With Dan Hurley as our head coach, the men’s basketball program has made us all proud. The transformation and establishment of the championship culture was evident this past March – from cutting down the nets at the Atlantic 10 Championship through the run to the NCAA Tournament. I am excited to continue our partnership with Dan and to continue to help this program grow through his vision and leadership,” said Thorr Bjorn, Rhode Island’s Director of Athletics.
http://www.gorhody.com/sports/m-baskbl/2016-17/releases/20170516g7s9c1
