Head men's basketball coach Reggie Witherspoon won't leaving Buffalo any time soon. The 2004 MAC Coach of the Year was signed to a contract extension by the University at Buffalo that keeps him on the Bulls' staff through the 2008-2009 season.
The extension comes following a highly successful 2003-2004 campaign that saw the Bulls make a late-season run, finishing the year with a 17-12 overall record.
"Reggie's efforts in elevating the profile of our men's basketball program in western New York and in the Mid-American Conference have been outstanding and I am pleased that we have been able to reach this agreement," said Bill Maher, interim athletic director.
The exact terms of the agreement were not disclosed due to university policy.
"The growth and interest in our program is a direct reflection of the work that Reggie, his staff and our student-athletes have put forth toward their goal of becoming Mid-American Conference Champions," said Maher.
As a result of the team's performance last season, Witherspoon was named the 2003-2004 MAC coach of the year by MAC officials. He was also named Collegeinsider.com's Mid-Major Coach of the Year. Additionally, he was named co-Coach of the Year by the Basketball Coaches Association of New York.
The contract extension was signed a few months prior to the beginning of the season and was announced recently, just after team practices began. Witherspoon said this was done to keep distractions at a minimum.
"My focus continues to be on our young men and the development of our program," said Witherspoon.
Coach Witherspoon said he was pleased with the commitment UB has shown to further the improvement of the men's basketball program, specifically in future years.
"I am excited that the efforts that have been put into our program to become a competitive Mid-American Conference team have been acknowledged by the university with this commitment," he said.
Witherspoon, currently entering his sixth year as head coach at UB, has been credited with saving this Bulls squad from the dungeon of the MAC. This season, the Bulls are picked to win the MAC East division title. ESPN's "bracketology" lists the Bulls as a 2005 NCAA tournament participant.
"I am very happy to be at UB during this exciting time for our men's basketball program," he added.
The team's third head coach since UB rejoined Division I athletics, Witherspoon's career record stands at 41-97.
Witherspoon and the Bulls will open the 2004-2005 season on Nov. 19 against defending NCAA champion Connecticut.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
