Akron agrees to new seven-year deal with Dambrot

Apr 27, 2007, 19:05 GMT

Akron, OH - The University of Akron has agreed to a new seven-year contract with men's basketball coach Keith Dambrot, director of athletics Mack Rhoades announced on Friday.

Dambrot has registered a 68-27 record in three seasons with the Zips, and is now under contract through the 2014 season. He signed a five-year deal on December 22, 2006 and Friday's announcement supersedes that.

'Keith has done an excellent job leading this basketball program,' 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.'

The Zips finished this past season with a record of 26-7, tying the school record for wins in a season, and a 13-3 MAC mark gave the program its first division championship since 1998. Akron reached the title game of the MAC Tournament for the first time, but dropped a 53-52 decision to Miami-Ohio on a three-pointer at the buzzer.

'I am excited about the long-term commitment the university has made to our program and because of that our program continues to grow,' said Dambrot, an Akron native and alum of the university. 'Akron is where I want to be. It's where I grew up, it's where my mother taught and it's where my family lives. 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.'

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