Jim Ferry has agreed to a new multi-year extension to remain head men’s basketball coach at UMBC, following a historic season capped by an NCAA Tournament appearance.
“It’s a Great Day to be a Retriever! We are thrilled to announce the contract extension of men’s basketball head coach Jim Ferry,” said UMBC Director of Athletics, Physical Education, and Recreation Tiffany D. Tucker. “Over the past five years, Jim has helped build a winning program at UMBC, from the basketball court to the classroom. This extension brings much-needed continuity to the men’s basketball coaching position at a crucial time in college athletics, as we navigate through the current landscape of NIL and eventual revenue sharing possibilities for our student-athletes.”
“I thank UMBC President Valerie Sheares Ashby and Tiffany D. Tucker for this opportunity,” Ferry said. “I deeply appreciate my coaching staff for their tireless drive and commitment to our student-athletes. Energized by our recent achievements, I am excited to use the momentum from our record-breaking season to set new goals and continue establishing UMBC as a leading program in the America East Conference.”
Last March, the Retrievers participated in the NCAA Tournament for just the third time in their 40 seasons of Division I basketball. The Dawgs punched their ticket to the Big Dance after winning the America East Conference championship in front of a sold-out Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena.
The Retrievers set a program-best .875 Division I conference winning percentage (14-2) during their remarkable run. Achieving 24 wins, just one shy of the program record, they also won 12 straight games before their NCAA First Four loss. Moreover, UMBC went 15-2 at home and finished 8-0 In league play this past season. During the America East Tournament, they won three more at the ‘Peake, securing their first undefeated home conference season.
In recognition of this success, Ferry was named America East Coach of the Year and was a national Coach of the Year finalist for the prestigious Hugh Durham Award. He became the third UMBC coach to win the award and secured his 400th career win, the first in program history to do so.
Ferry, who also led LIU to consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances in 2011 and 2012, has reached at least 18 wins in three of his five seasons at UMBC. He notched his seventh career 20-win season in 2025-26, his first 20-win season with the Retrievers. Ferry is one of just a few coaches to have won conference Coach of the Year and championships with four different programs (Plymouth State, Adelphi, LIU Brooklyn, UMBC).
HISTORIC 2025-26 SEASON
- UMBC participated in the NCAA Tournament for just the third time in 40 seasons of Division I basketball.
- The Retrievers won their fourth regular-season championship at the D1 level.
- UMBC won its third America East Tournament.
- The 24 wins were one shy of equaling the program record set in 2017-18.
- The Dawgs accomplished their best DI conference winning percentage in program history this season (14-2, .875) and their fewest losses.
- UMBC won a school record 12 straight contests.
- The Retrievers finished 38th in the country with a .727 winning percentage.
- UMBC is tied for the third-best single-season conference win improvement (+8) in America East history.
- Jim Ferry was named the Coach of the Year. It’s the third time a UMBC coach has won the award and the first since Ryan Odom (2020-21).
- Ferry recorded his 400th career win at Maine. He is the first coach in program history to reach that mark.
- Ferry has won at least 18 games in three of his five seasons at UMBC and recorded his first 20-win season as a Retriever in 25-26. It’s the seventh 20-win season of his career.
- The Retrievers went 15-2 at home this season and were a perfect 8-0 in America East regular season games at the ‘Peake + three more in the AE Tournament. It’s the first time the Retrievers have gone undefeated in the league on their home floor.
- In total, UMBC went 11-0 against AE opponents at home.
- The 15 home wins tied a program record first accomplished in 2007-08.
- UMBC was 3rd in the country in fewest fouls allowed per game (13.5).
- The Retrievers paced the league with a +8.8 scoring margin and ranked 42nd in the country in the category.
- UMBC finished 31st in the NCAA in scoring defense (67.6 ppg.), which was the best in the AE. The Dawgs yielded 78.8 ppg. In 2024-25.
- UMBC paced the league with 27.2 defensive rebounds per game (25th NCAA).
- The Dawgs finished 25th in the country with just 9.6 turnovers per game.
- The Retrievers outscored their 16 America East opponents by a combined total of 255-150 from the free-throw line during the regular season. (5.9 more makes per game).
- The Retrievers finished 54th in the NCAA in free-throw shooting at 75.8 percent.
- UMBC led the America East in the following categories: Points Per Game, Points Per Game Allowed, Scoring Margin, FT Percentage, Field Goal Percentage, 3-Point Field Goal Percentage, and Turnover Margin.
- Three Retrievers earned America East All-Conference Team accolades. Jah’Likai King (First Team), DJ Armstrong Jr (Second Team), Ace Valentine (Second Team).
- Armstrong Jr. and Valentine were also named to the AE All-Academic Team.
- It’s the first time the Retrievers have had three honorees since the 2021-22 season.
