UMKC head men’s basketball coach Kareem Richardson had his contract extended through 2020, announced Tuesday by Director of Athletics Carla Wilson.
“It gives me great pleasure to extend Kareem’s contract,” Wilson said. “In looking at the growth and development of the men’s basketball program over the past two years, I continue to be extremely excited about the direction and future under Kareem’s leadership.”
His second season in Kansas City as the head man was another step in the right direction in 2014-15, and generated several program firsts. The second place WAC finish matched the highest ever in league play, while the 8-6 conference mark was the first above .500 at UMKC since 2005-06. UMKC also posted a 6-1 record at home in league play, the best in school history. The ‘Roos earned a win in the WAC Tournament as well, the first for UMKC in the postseason since 2007. He has improved the program’s win total in each of his first two seasons as well.
“I would like to thank Carla for my contract extension,” Richardson said. “I am thrilled to be the basketball coach at UMKC, especially now as we are building the program, and I am extremely excited about the future.”
Richardson led the team to a signature win in the season opener at Missouri, the team’s first victory over a BCS school since 2003. The squad also picked up a win at Indiana State on the road during the season. The team improved throughout the season defensively, allowing 10 points less per game in WAC play, despite players missing 83 games due to injury.
Kansas City product Martez Harrison was named an AP honorable mention All-American, becoming the first ever in D-I history. Harrison was also named the WAC Player of the Year, becoming the second UMKC player ever to win the award.
Richardson has also recruited locally. On each of his first two teams, the ‘Roos have boasted having seven and eight student-athletes, respectively, from the Kansas City metro area, the highest two totals in UMKC history.
UMKC has also seen its attendance increase during Richardson’s tenure, going up by 36 percent in his first season with the move back to Municipal Auditorium.
Photo Courtesy UMKC Athletics
