The Samford University athletic department is pleased to announce that Head Coach Scott Padgett has signed a four-year contract extension. The news was officially released by Director of Athletics Martin Newton on Friday. Padgett’s deal will now last throughout the 2018-19 campaign.
"I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Scott Padgett as he leads our basketball program into the future," said Newton. "I’ve known and watched Scott throughout his highly successful college and professional playing careers, and also as he has made the transition to becoming a coach. He possesses all of the traits to be a huge success.
"Scott has a tireless work-ethic, passion and knowledge of the game, and a shared vision of a players- first program. His motto ‘Family Over Everything’ is not just a saying, it’s his way of life. Scott, his wife Cynthia and their three children are a great addition to the Bulldog family and the Homewood community. They are Samford Strong."
Padgett, who is in the midst of his first season as head coach at Samford University, has already compiled 13 wins and six Southern Conference victories with the Bulldogs. Recently, he directed Samford to a historic 80-69 victory at VMI.
"This feels great, because it shows that Dr. (Andrew) Westmoreland and Martin have confidence in me moving forward," said Padgett. "Now, we can go out in recruiting and everybody knows that I’m going to be at Samford. I’m extremely happy here. I love the job and think there are some great things on the horizon for this program."
With a roster comprised of just three seniors and a trio of juniors, Padgett has guided his young Bulldogs to early success in his inaugural season heading the program.
On Tuesday, Samford’s junior guard Darius Jones-Gibson was named a Third-Team All-SoCon performer, while newcomers Christen Cunningham and Evan Taylor both earned SoCon All-Freshman Team honors. With a roster featuring five sophomores and four true freshmen this season, the future is bright for the Bulldogs’ basketball team.
"We have a great group of guys here and they’re just touching the surface of how good they can be," Padgett said. "We’re going to keep adding players and we’re looking forward for great things to come."
Padgett, the former collegiate standout at the University of Kentucky, NCAA national champion and first-round NBA draft pick, was officially named the 28th head basketball coach at Samford University on June 6, 2014.
He joined the Bulldogs’ staff in April of 2012 after spending the previous two seasons at Manhattan College. During his valuable stint at Manhattan, he played a key role in the Jaspers’ 15-game win improvement as they finished 21-13 and played in the CollegeInsider.com Tournament, the program’s first postseason appearance since 2006.
"When I left Manhattan to come here as an assistant, it was because of Martin Newton’s vision," said Padgett. "We’re all on board to take Samford to the same level as a Butler and Gonzaga, and we have everything that we need to be successful and to get to that point.
"The Samford administration and Martin Newton make sure that we have everything that we need to be successful," said Padgett. "Now, it’s just on us to put in the work to lift this program higher and higher. We’ve made some great strides this year and I fully expect this team to improve every year and every time they step out onto the court."
The Samford University basketball team will begin play in the 2015 SoCon Tournament Friday at 5 p.m. (CST) as the Bulldogs square off against the UNCG Spartans in the opening game of the 10-team, four-day competition being held at the U.S. Cellular Center in downtown Asheville, North Carolina.
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