South Dakota State University and men’s basketball coach T.J. Otzelberger have agreed to terms on a contract extension through the 2022-23 season, university officials announced Tuesday.
“T.J.’s teams have had tremendous success on the court and his student-athletes have also accomplished great things academically and throughout the Brookings community,” SDSU Director of Athletics Justin Sell said. “I’m excited to have one of the best coaches in the country committed to being a Jackrabbit through 2023. We’ll continue to build upon this solid foundation with a relentless pursuit of excellence we all share.”
Now in his third season with the Jackrabbits, Otzelberger has posted a 55-28 record, including a 9-4 mark so far this season. Otzelberger’s squads won Summit League postseason tournament titles each of his first two seasons, adding the program’s first-ever outright Summit League regular season title during the 2017-18 campaign with a 13-1 record as he was named Summit League Coach of the Year. The 2017-18 team finished with a school-record 28 wins against seven losses, earning the No. 12 seed in the West Region at the NCAA Tournament.
“My family and I are ecstatic about our future here in Brookings,” Otzelberger said. “We are humbled and grateful to be a part of a community, campus and department with such amazing people. President (Barry) Dunn and Justin Sell are visionaries, and we are excited for the opportunity to continue chasing greatness. Thanks to them and our passionate Jackrabbit fans for making this such a special place.”
SDSU currently holds the longest home-court winning streak in Division I men’s basketball at 26 games. The Jackrabbits have compiled a 32-2 record at Frost Arena during Otzelberger’s tenure.
Otzelberger was presented with the Guardians of the Game award for education from the National Association of Basketball Coaches at the 2017 Final Four for his involvement with the NABC’s Stay In To Win program, which focuses on student success and dropout prevention. In addition to his work with the NABC, Otzelberger is active with the Boys and Girls Club of America and locally with the Rotary Club in Brookings.
https://gojacks.com/news/2018/12/18/mens-basketball-otzelberger-receives-extension-through-2023.aspx
