Akron, Dambrot agree to seven-year extension

Apr 27, 2007 - 5:19 PM AKRON, Ohio (Ticker) -- Keith Dambrot was rewarded for elevating Akron's play.

Dambrot, who guided the Zips to a record-tying 26 wins this past season, agreed to a seven-year contract extension, the school announced Friday.

Financial terms of the deal where not disclosed, but the school stated that Dambrot's new salary ranks him among the top third of the coaches in the Mid-American Conference.

Signed to a five-year contract on December 22, 2006, Dambrot's new deal supersedes that, keeping him with the school through 2014.

"I am excited about the long-term commitment the university has made to our program and because of that our program continues to grow," Dambrot said. "Akron is where I want to be. I'm proud to be the coach here, and want to continue to improve and grow this program into a source of pride for the Akron community."

In his three years with Akron, Dambrot, 48, has improved upon the team's record in each, culminating in a 26-7 mark and the first MAC East Division title since 1998 (13-3). The win total was the highest in school history since 1971-72.

"Keith has done an excellent job leading this basketball program," athletic director Mack Rhoades said. "He holds a special place in the hearts and minds of the people in this region and we know this is where he wants to remain.

"This contract is not only a reward for his team's performances over the past three years, but a reflection of how the program continues to make progress. We feel the pieces are really coming together to make Akron basketball one of the premier programs in the Mid-American Conference."

Despite the banner season, the Zips were shut out of postseason play, as a last-second banked 3-pointer by Miami of Ohio in the MAC tournament title game denied the team their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1986.

Akron also was left out of the NIT Tournament.

The coach of NBA superstar LeBron James at St. Vincent-St. Mary's high school in Akron in 1999-2001, Dambrot has compiled a 68-27 record, including 38-14 in MAC play, in his tenure with the Zips.