Utah men’s basketball coach Larry Krystkowiak has signed a contract extension through the 2022-23 season worth $2.4 million a year, Utah director of athletics Dr. Chris Hill announced today.
“Our men’s basketball program has made tremendous strides these past four seasons under Coach Krystkowiak,” said Hill. “The success of a program starts with its head coach and he has provided outstanding leadership for our student-athletes. Larry is aware of his value to our program. It is clear that his success has been noted throughout the country and we are pleased to be able to solidify his commitment to our program.”
Krystkowiak, 50, led the Utes to a 26-9 record, a berth in the Sweet 16 and a No. 15 final national ranking this season. Utah was ranked in the top 25 for 19 weeks in 2014-15–its most weeks in the national polls since the Final Four campaign of 1997-98. Utah also had its best finish since joining the Pac-12, placing third with a 13-5 conference mark and reaching the semifinals of the Pac-12 Tournament for the second time in three years.
The Utes defeated Stephen F. Austin and Georgetown in the NCAA Tournament before losing to eventual national champion Duke in the Sweet 16, 63-57.
“I want to thank Dr. Hill and President Pershing for their amazing support of the men’s basketball team,” Krystkowiak said. “We always speak about the culture within our program and a big part of that is realizing who we are. I’m a big believer in those I work for, those I work with, and the student-athletes I get to coach. This is an amazing university with an incredible basketball program one which I feel very proud and humbled to be a part of.”
The resurgence of Utah basketball under Krystkowiak has also ignited Utah’s fan base. The Utes averaged more than 12,000 fans to its home games this season, its highest attendance average since 2000-01
Individually, Delon Wright has been named a finalist for the Bob Cousy Award and was a Wooden All-American selection. The senior guard was also named a second team All-American by the USBWA and the NABC. Wright, along with freshman center Jakob Poeltl, garnered Pac-12 postseason honors.
Off the court, Utah had four players named to the Pac-12 All-Academic teams this year, the most of any school in the conference. Jeremy Olsen and Brandon Taylor were first-team selections, giving the Utes nine honorees over the last two years–also tops in the league.
http://www.utahutes.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/040815aaa.html
Photo courtesy of Utah Athletics
