Matt Langel’s second straight Coach of the Year Award earned the hottest coach in the Patriot League a second straight contract extension.
Colgate Athletics announced Thursday a new extension of Langel’s contract through 2027. The Raiders under Langel turned in a magical run to the NCAA tournament, winning the Patriot League championship for the first time since 1996 and capturing the hearts of Raider Nation and the Hamilton community in the process.
“I am so very pleased and excited that Coach Langel will be leading our program into the future,” said Dr. Nicki W. Moore, Colgate Vice President and Director of Athletics. “The diligence, patience, integrity and intelligence Matt and his staff have shown over the past eight years has resulted in its own reward – a program with excellent young men who are strong students and who are winners in every sense of the word.
“This program’s trajectory is strong, and there is still such good work to do as we build a winning tradition for Colgate Basketball.
Moore reiterated how important a role Langel played in generating the excitement that gripped campus and all of Raider Nation during the Colgate run to the NCAAs.
“Matt, his staff and student-athletes generated so much enthusiasm for Colgate this season by winning the Patriot League Championship and earning an NCAA tournament berth,” Moore said. “Looking up in our stands in Columbus last week seeing hundreds of alumni who had come from all corners of the country to be a part of that moment, was so special for all of us.
“This team represents one chapter in a rich Colgate Men’s Basketball history. With Matt at the helm, and our students, alumni and fans behind us, I believe our best days are yet to come.”
The 2018-19 campaign certainly was one for the history books:
- First Patriot League title since 1996
- Third NCAA tournament appearance and first in 23 years
- Played No. 2 seed Tennessee to the wire in 77-70 loss in NCAA First Round
- Program record for wins in 24-11 season
- First 20-win season in program history
- Second year in a row to set program wins record (19-14 last season)
- Won final eight Patriot League games to finish 13-5 and earn No. 1 seed in conference tournament
- Swept three home games in Patriot League tournament over Boston University, Navy and two-time defending-champion Bucknell to earn NCAA berth
- Capacity crowd at championship game of more than 1,800 for CBS Sports telecast – despite Spring Break
- Defeated Bucknell 94-80
- 13 Patriot League wins most in school history; previous high 12
- 15 home wins most in school history; previous high 13
- Program earned Patriot League Coach of the Year (Langel), Player of the Year (Rapolas Ivanauskas) and Rookie of the Year (Tucker Richardson)
- Langel also was named NABC District 13 Coach of the Year, and Ivanauskas was selected for the First Team
“I’m honored that this very special university has recognized what our staff and student-athletes have accomplished and the impact successful programs can have on a close knit college and its community,” Langel said. “Obviously, it’s been a really special year. All that our team was able to accomplish as individuals but more important collectively is getting a lot of recognition.
“I’m immeasurably proud of them but also a number of the guys who came before them and who worked tirelessly to develop the culture we have in place now that led to the results we had this season. How our guys were able to represent Colgate University on a national stage on the floor, in the media, under the brightest of lights and on the grandest stage, is really a testament to where the program is.
“Working with Athletics Director Nicki Moore in her first year has been exceptional. The commitment she has made to our program moving forward is significant. I couldn’t be more excited for what the future holds.
Langel has put together a combined 43-25 (.632) overall record for the past two seasons, including 25-11 (.694) in Patriot League play.
The Raiders over the last five years in conference are 54-36 (.600). That includes two second place regular-season finishes, a runner-up showing last year in the tournament and this year’s title sweep of both the regular season and tourney trophies.
Langel is up to second on the all-time Colgate chart in wins per year at 14.25, trailing only William Reid (1920-28) at 14.78.
Colgate under Langel has placed three players on the All-Patriot League First Team, six on the Second Team and two on the Third Team, along with four All-Rookie Team selections.
In addition, Colgate Men’s Basketball under Langel has placed 39 student-athletes on the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll. That number stands at 37 over the last six years, for an average of more than six per season. Langel over the last four years has helped land 30 student-athletes on the Colgate Raider Academic Honor Roll. That works to an average of 7½ honorees per year.
