Southeastern Louisiana University has extended the contract of head men’s basketball coach Jay Ladner through the 2020-21 season, Southeastern Director of Athletics Jay Artigues announced Wednesday.
Ladner’s extension is pending approval by the University of Louisiana System’s Board of Supervisors.
Artigues commended Ladner’s progress and the growth of the program.
“Getting Coach Ladner signed to a contract extension was a priority for us as an administration,” said Artigues. “He has done a tremendous job with the program on and off the court highlighted not only by winning the conference championship but the job our student-athletes have done in the classroom as well.”
The Lions won the 2018 Southland Conference regular season championship under Ladner finishing 22-12 overall and 15-3 in conference play. SLU earned their first ever bid to the National Invitational Tournament and faced 24th-ranked St. Mary’s.
Ladner praised his team’s progress and effort through the process of winning the conference title.
“Last year was a culmination of a lot of hard work,” said Ladner. “For the last four years it’s been a process. Each year we were able to make a lot of progress and then of course winning the conference this year validated the hard work that so many people put in.”
The 22 wins was the most by the program since the 2004-2005 season when they won 24 games.
SLU used a balanced attack led by senior forward Jordan Capps (13.4 ppg), junior guard Marlain Veal (12.8) and junior forward Moses Greenwood (10.2) to help guide them through a grueling conference schedule.
Ladner is entering his fifth year as Lions’ head coach. During his tenure, he helped guide the program back to the forefront of the conference. SLU clinched the conference title for the first time since the 2004-2005 season with a 69-57 win over Nicholls in the regular season finale March 3.
Ladner was thankful for the extension and opportunity to continue what the program has built.
“It’s very humbling,” said Ladner. “Knowing that the administration and the people that brought me in here felt good enough about the work that this coaching staff, the players and everyone involved with the team put in to reward me with the extension. There are so many people that have been supportive of this team from the fans, faculty and administration even during the rebuilding process all the way to the night we clinched the conference. I’m honored and humbled to have the opportunity to continue to build on what this program has already accomplished.”
Ladner and the Lions will begin defense of their conference title when the season opens in November.
