Jun 25, 2008 - 5:34 PM
0 shoutsSTORRS, Connecticut (Ticker) -- The University of Connecticut on Wednesday rewarded women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma with his second five-year extension in three years.
The new deal, which begins on July 1, keeps Auriemma under contract through April 15, 2013 and will pay him a base salary of $300,000 in the first year, which will increase by $25,000 annually.
"We believe that Geno Auriemma is the finest women's basketball coach in the country," Connecticut director of athletics Jeff Hathaway said. "He has brought great pride and honor to our institution for over two decades."
In addition, Auriemma is receiving $1.1 million in the initial year of the deal for speaking and media appearances. That amount also increases by $75,000 annually throughout the course of the contract.
Auriemma also signed a five-year extension in 2005, the year after both the Connecticut men's and women's teams won the national championship.
"The people of Connecticut have been very supportive of our program for over 20 years," said Auriemma, who recently completed his 23rd season as coach of the Huskies. "This new contract is a direct reflection of the university's commitment to me and the commitment that my family and I have to the university."
A member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, Auriemma has guided the Huskies to five national championships and nine Final Four appearances, including this past season. He also has posted 16 Big East Conference regular-season titles and 14 conference tournament crowns.
Under Auriemma, who has a career mark of 653-122 (.843), the Huskies have made 14 consecutive trips to the "Sweet 16" of the NCAA Tournament.
During his tenure in Storrs, Auriemma has produced eight Olympians and six national Players of the Year. He has been named national Coach of the Year six times and Big East Coach of the Year on seven occasions.
