George Washington University Director of Athletics and Recreation Patrick Nero announced on Friday that men’s basketball Head Coach Mike Lonergan has been given a contract extension through the end of the 2020-21 season.
"As we continue to strengthen our athletic program, it is important to look well into the future," said Nero. "Securing strong, stable leadership for our men’s basketball program was a high priority. Mike has succeeded in bringing high quality young men to GW, and we are proud of how they have developed both on and off the court. He has done everything we have asked of him in building a strong community around our team – and our alumni, students and fans in Washington, D.C. and around the world have responded with tremendous support for the program. We want this past season to be the foundation for a basketball program that can continue to grow and flourish under Mike’s leadership for many years to come."
"When I was hired at GW three years ago it fulfilled a career-long dream to coach at the highest level of college basketball," said Coach Lonergan. "Having had the opportunity to return to my roots and once again coach in the area where I grew up, it’s now my truest hope that this will be where I retire. I’m very grateful to be able to coach this proud program, and I want to thank President Knapp, Patrick Nero, my family, friends, players, assistants and staff who have helped to make this possible."
In 2013-14, Coach Lonergan guided the Colonials to a 24-9 record and 11th all-time appearance in the NCAA Tournament in the 100-season history of the program. Picked by the Atlantic 10 Conference coaches to finish 10th in the preseason poll, GW finished the regular season with the third-seed in the conference and advanced to the A-10 Championship semifinals. The Colonials’ 24 wins tied as the second-most in a season in program history, and marked an 11-win improvement over last season. With a league-best eight All-Atlantic 10 selections among six players, headlined by four all-conference picks, GW returned to the NCAA Tournament this past season for the first time in seven years.
A 25-year college coaching veteran, Coach Lonergan owns 21 years of experience as a head coach, with an overall record of 424-203, 16 winning seasons, 14 NCAA Tournament victories including a NCAA Division III National Championship, 12 regular season conference titles, 13 years of 20 or more victories, 11 NCAA Tournament qualifications and five conference tournament championships. He was named the 2001 Division III National Coach of the Year and America East Coach of the Year in 2007 and 2011.
Prior to his tenure at GW, in addition to six years spent on the sidelines at Vermont, Coach Lonergan spent 13 years coaching locally. He served from 2004-05 as assistant coach at the University of Maryland under head men’s basketball coach Gary Williams, and from 1992-2004, Coach Lonergan served as associate athletic director and head coach for The Catholic University of America’s men’s basketball program.
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