Stony Brook announced today that they will extend head coach Steve Pikiell to the maximum length under New York State regulations.
Last July the school extended Pikiell until the 2017-18 season, an extension today tacks on one more season to his contract, which now runs until the end of the 2018-19 season.
“I feel like we are truly achieving our goals,” Pikiell said in a statement thanking the university’s administration. “I look forward to being a part of Stony Brook’s bright future and continuing to give our University and surrounding communities, our fans and alumni a program they are proud to support.”
New York State rules allow public universities to offer their head coaches a maximum contract extension of five years.
“Our men’s basketball program has experienced great success on the court, in the classroom and in the community as a result of Steve’s tireless efforts and commitment,” interim director of athletics Donna Woodruff said in a statement. “I know that Coach Pikiell will continue to guide our student-athletes toward even greater success, especially as we move to our new home, Stony Brook Arena, this fall.”
The Seawolves won 23 games this season, the second most in their school’s history after winning a program record 25 games in 2013. Stony Brook advanced and hosted the America East championship game, but fell 69-60 to Albany in the final game at Pritchard Gym. The school will open up a $21.1 million renovated arena next fall.
This marks the sixth time that the school and Pikiell have agreed to a contract extension since his hiring in April 2005, when he was previously an assistant at George Washington University.
After nine seasons as head coach, Pikiell has been extended after the 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2014 seasons. All of those extensions were under athletic director Jim Fiore, who has since been terminated, Woodruff currently holds the school’s interim director of athletics position.
The Seawolves were successful in both men’s and women’s basketball this season. The women’s program won a school record 24 games and head coach Beth O’Boyle resigned Monday to take the head coaching job at Virginia Commonwealth.
Stony Brook returns America East Player of the Year Jameel Warney, who was the sixth ever sophomore to receive the conference’s highest honor. They also return Carson Puriefoy, who made the second team All-Conference this past season.
Ryan Restivo covers the America East conference, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and Hofstra for Big Apple Buckets. You can follow Ryan on Twitter @ryanarestivo or contact Ryan at rrestivo[at]nycbuckets.com.
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