Penn St. gives DeChellis 3-year extension

Oct 1, 2009 - 5:54 PM STATE COLLEGE, Pa.(AP) -- Penn State gave basketball coach Ed DeChellis a three-year contract extension, rewarding him after the Nittany Lions won the NIT title last season.

DeChellis is entering his seventh season in Happy Valley. The new deal announced Thursday keeps him under contract at his alma mater through the 2013-14 season.

DeChellis led the Nittany Lions to a school-record 27 wins last season, ending with the program's first national postseason tournament title. Penn State also set a school record with 17 home wins.

Athletic director Tim Curley said DeChellis has built a "foundation for continued success."

"We are very excited about the significant progress our men's basketball program has made under coach DeChellis," Curley said in a statement.

University policy is not to disclose terms of agreements. Records released by the school this spring showed DeChellis made more than $642,000 in compensation last year from Penn State, which would include base salary plus any bonuses.

DeChellis is 84-103 since arriving in 2003-04, and last year was his first winning season at the school. DeChellis said he appreciated the commitment from school officials.

"We are proud of what we have accomplished thus far and are focused on more goals ahead," DeChellis said.

Penn State hasn't made the NCAA tournament since 2001, when they upset North Carolina to advance to the regional semifinals.

The Nittany Lions return three starters from last year's squad, led by All-Big Ten point guard Talor Battle. Preseason practice starts in less than three weeks.