The University of Toledo and head men’s basketball coach Tod Kowalczyk have reached an agreement that extends Kowalczyk’s contract through the 2022-23 season, UT Vice President/Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Mike O’Brien announced today.
“Tod has proven himself to be a tremendous leader, and we are extremely pleased to extend his contract,” O’Brien said. “He and his staff have established our program as one of the best in the Mid-American Conference. Our outlook is extremely bright for next year and beyond. Even more impressive than our success on the court is the academic culture that’s been established which has our program at the top of the MAC.”
“I’m very thankful to our tremendous administration of President (Sharon) Gaber and Mike O’Brien for showing confidence in me and my staff,” Kowalczyk said. “I’m extremely proud of the culture we have in our program and the direction that we’re headed. My family and I absolutely love being a part of the Toledo community, and I can’t wait to build on this past season’s success.”
Kowalczyk was named the Rockets’ head coach in March of 2010 and is now tied for third place on Toledo’s all-time victory list with 142 wins. He has guided UT to a 104-62 (.627) win-loss mark over the last five seasons with the Rockets’ victory total during that span ranking second in the MAC. Included in that win total is a school-record 27-7 ledger in 2013-14, as well as a 23-11 campaign this past season that is tied for the third-most victories in program history.
During the 2017-18 season, Toledo captured its seventh MAC West Division title, appeared in its sixth MAC Tournament Championship Game and saw senior guard Tre’Shaun Fletcher become the program’s first MAC Player of the Year since 1981. The Rockets ranked No. 1 in the MAC and 14th nationally with a 40.1 three-point FG%, a mark that ranks second in school history. The Rockets were also first in league play in 3PTFG% (41.8), three-point field goals per game (9.9) and 3PTFG% defense (32.5) and set school records for three-point field goals (327) and blocked shots (135) in a season.
The Rockets have displayed tremendous academic success under Kowalczyk, as well. UT has garnered the National Association of Basketball Coaches Team Academic Excellence Award in three of the last four seasons (2013-14, 2015-16 and 2016-17), one of just 12 programs in the nation to be honored. Toledo’s Academic Progress Rate also ranks first among MAC men’s basketball programs with its score of 990 during the four-year period from 2012-13 to 2015-16.
Prior to becoming UT’s head coach, Kowalczyk posted a 136-112 record in eight years as Wisconsin-Green Bay’s head coach. The Phoenix advanced to post-season play and notched back-to-back 22-win seasons in his last two seasons. In addition, every player who completed their eligibility while Kowalczyk was Green Bay’s head coach received their degree.
Kowalczyk is a native of DePere, Wis. He and his wife Julie have two children, Race (11) and Rose (9).
