The University of Toledo and head men’s basketball coach Tod Kowalczyk have reached an agreement that extends Kowalczyk’s contract through the 2016-17 season, UT Athletic Director Mike O’Brien announced today.

Kowalczyk, 45, was named head coach in March of 2010, assuming the reins of a program that had endured three straight losing seasons and was coming off a 4-28 win-loss mark. Last season, Kowalczyk guided a young Rocket squad to a 19-17 ledger to equal the second-best win improvement (plus-15) in the nation. Toledo also registered the program’s first postseason victory since 2001 with a win over McNeese State in the CollegeInsiders.com Tournamment.

Toledo’s roster has been completely transformed by Kowalczyk and his staff during his brief tenure. The Rockets are headed for a bright future and return all of their players from last year’s squad, including second-team All-MAC selection Rian Pearson, honorable-mention All-MAC honoree Curtis Dennis and MAC Freshman of the Year Julius Brown.

The Rockets has displayed significant academic improvement under Kowalczyk as well. The team’s APR was 939 in 2010-11 and 962 through the fall 2011 semester following three straight years of posting APR figures below 900. The Rockets also posted a combined 3.011 GPA in the 2012 spring semester.

Prior to becoming UT’s head coach, Kowalczyk posted a 136-112 record in eight years as Wisconsin-Green Bay’s head coach. His Phoenix advanced to post-season play and notched back-to-back 22-win seasons in his last two seasons. In addition, every player who completed his eligibility while Kowalczyk was Green Bay’s head coach received his degree.

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