Mar 18, 2008 - 6:03 PM
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Financial terms were not disclosed, but Clemson athletic director Terry Don Phillips told the Charlotte Observer that Purnell will be one of the four highest-paid coaches in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Purnell, 54, guided Clemson to a 24-9 record and an appearance in the ACC tournament championship game this season.
After upsetting Duke in the ACC semifinals, the Tigers dropped a hard-fought 86-81 decision to top-ranked North Carolina in the conference championship game. It was the second time in school history and first time since 1962 that the Tigers reached the ACC title game.
The Tigers, who received the fifth seed in the Detroit Region of the upcoming NCAA Tournament, will face 12th seed Villanova on Friday in Tampa, Florida.
"We were delighted five years ago when Oliver decided to come to Clemson and build our program," Phillips said. "Five years later, we are seeing the significant progress that has been made.
"Oliver has built this program the right way, and we are now well respected in the ACC and nationally."
Purnell has posted a 94-67 record in his five years at Clemson, including a 49-20 mark in the last two seasons. The 49 victories are a record for the Tigers over a two-year period.
With Clemson's invitation this year, Purnell became the 31st coach in NCAA history to take three different programs to the NCAA Tournament.
A Berlin, Maryland native, Purnell also coached Old Dominion and Dayton to NCAA Tournament berths.
