University of Alabama at Birmingham President Ray L. Watts announced today that Men’s Basketball coach Jerod Haase has agreed to a new, six-year agreement, reflecting the university’s commitment to the program’s continued success as a strategic priority for Athletics.
The agreement calls for UAB to pay Haase, whose Conference USA Championship team reached the Round of 32 in this year’s NCAA Tournament, total compensation of $1 million per year. Haase will be eligible for incentives tied to the team’s accomplishments on the court and in the classroom.
"Coach Haase is a rising star in college basketball, and we want him and his staff to take UAB to unprecedented levels of success," Watts said. "Our investments in the program to reach and sustain excellence and win championships, along with the continued support of donors, will make these priorities a reality and bolster all of our athletic programs."
UAB will make substantial investments in Blazer basketball including planned renovations to create state of the art practice facilities, locker room improvements for the women’s program, and upgrades to Bartow Arena that include remodeled basketball offices and new LED lighting to enhance the game-day experience.
"Long-term stability for me and my staff is crucial and represents an important step in moving the program forward," Haase said. "Our recruits and their families can rest assured that I will be at UAB for the long-term future. Today’s commitment by the administration is a strong statement that UAB wants to be great in basketball. Planned future upgrades in travel, facilities and budgets will be an integral part of sustaining UAB basketball at an elite level."
Haase, 40, was announced as the Blazers’ fifth head coach in March 2012. A University of Kansas basketball star, he spent 13 years on Coach Roy Williams’ staff at the University of Kansas and at the University of North Carolina before arriving at UAB. His teams at UAB have made strides, with the 2014-15 Blazers winning the school’s first CUSA Tournament championship and earning a landmark victory over Iowa State University in the NCAA Tournament.
"My family and I are thrilled to continue to call UAB and Birmingham home," Haase said. "I would like to thank Dr. Watts and the UAB administration for their confidence in my ability to lead the UAB Men’s Basketball program. It has been a most enjoyable three years for me personally and professionally, and we look forward to the future with great optimism."
Haase adds that the UAB administration has asked him to formulate a long-term vision for the basketball program that will build on the momentum established this season and sustain it on and off the court.
"Coach Haase is a winning coach, but even more importantly, he is a person of the highest integrity, and he is recruiting scholar athletes who share those qualities to represent our university on the court," Watts said.
Haase and Watts signed a letter of intent outlining the new agreement, pending approval by the UA System Board of Trustees Compensation Committee later this week. The agreement also calls for an increase in the basketball program’s operating resources, provides for raises for assistant coaches, and pledges an annual contribution to a strategic investment fund to support the program’s long-term goals.
This past season, Haase’s total compensation reached $625,000, including incentives.
"I am excited that Coach Haase is committed to the long-term success of UAB Basketball," said Interim Athletic Director Shannon Ealy. "He and his staff made great strides this year, maximizing the potential of one of the youngest teams in the NCAA. I am confident that UAB Basketball has a bright future under Coach Haase."
Full Statement From Jerod Haase, UAB Men’s Basketball Coach, 3.25.2015:
"My family and I are just thrilled to continue to call UAB and Birmingham home for the future. I would like to thank Dr. Watts and the UAB administration for their confidence in my ability to continue to lead the UAB Men’s Basketball program. It has been a most enjoyable three years for me personally and professionally, and we now look forward to the future with great optimism.
"As a basketball program, we will do our best on a daily basis to build on the tradition that Coach Bartow established at UAB. Our players and staff are committed to excellence on and off the court. Hopefully, our Core Values of Honesty, Appreciation, Unselfishness, Loyalty and Accountability will be reflected in all of our efforts.
"Dr. Watts and the administration supported a plan that assisted in our success this season. It included a foreign tour in August, a demanding nonconference schedule and hosting the Conference USA Tournament in Birmingham. The plan was instrumental in our young team’s improvement, maturation process and ability to achieve postseason success.
"The administration has asked me to create a long-term vision for UAB Basketball to, not only sustain, but build on the momentum we have established this season. Long-term stability for me and my staff is crucial and an important first step in moving the program forward. Our recruits and their families can rest assured that I want to be and will be at UAB for the long-term future. The commitment by Dr. Watts and the administration is a strong statement that UAB wants to be great in basketball. Planned future upgrades in travel, facilities and budgets will be an integral part of moving UAB Basketball back to an elite level in college basketball.
"I am thrilled and enthusiastic to now execute the vision we have in place for UAB Basketball in the coming years. I am looking forward to working together with our entire athletic department, our university community and UAB supporters to achieve excellence in the future. I am proud to be a UAB Blazer!"
Stay with HoopDirt for the latest college basketball coaching news and rumors.
