Catamounts extend Lonergan's contract

Apr 4, 2007, 13:40 GMT

Burlington, VT - The University of Vermont announced Tuesday that men's basketball coach Mike Lonergan has agreed to a new contract through the 2011-12 season.

The contract will take effect July 1 with Lonergan's base salary next season set at $150,000.

'In his tenure as men's basketball head coach, Mike Lonergan has provided exceptional leadership and vision,' said Vermont director of athletics Dr. Robert Corran. 'Our program and student-athletes have thrived under his mentorship, pointing to a very bright future. We are all the more excited knowing that Mike and his family will continue as members of the Catamount Family for at least the next five years.'

The 1988 Catholic University graduate has led Vermont to a 38-25 record in his first two years and is 289-115 in 14 years as its head coach. Winning the America East Regular Season Championship with a 15-1 league mark, Lonergan led the Catamounts to a school record-tying 25-8 mark last season.

Vermont also tied the national lead in road/neutral victories with 16, including 13 in a row at one point.

Lonergan, before becoming an assistant coach at Maryland, led Catholic University to the 2001 NCAA Division III national championship. He was also an assistant coach at Colgate for three seasons (1989-92).

Lonergan led Catholic University to seven consecutive NCAA Division III Tournament appearances and nine overall from 1992 to 2004. He compiled a 251-88 record during his 12-year tenure. He is the only coach in the country in any division to have won the regular-season conference championship each of the seven-year span from 1998 to 2004.

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