Calipari gets extension from Memphis

By Sports Network - The Sports Network --

The University of Memphis rewarded men's head basketball coach John Calipari with a contract extension Saturday that will keep him with the school through the 2012-13 season.

The new deal is worth a total of $2.35 million annually, reflecting a $500,000 raise from his 2007-08 salary. In addition, Calipari will receive a donor- funded longevity bonus of $5 million if he remains the Tigers' head coach through the 2012-13 campaign.

"Eight years ago, we hired John as head coach for our basketball program, and he and I set three goals," said Memphis director of athletics R.C. Johnson. "First, graduate student-athletes under his tutelage. Next, place this basketball program on a national stage and compete for championships. Finally, rekindle and strengthen the bond between the city and basketball program.

"He's accomplished all three. John has committed to the university and community just as we have committed to him."

Calipari guided the Tigers to the best season in school history in 2007-08. Memphis posted an NCAA Division I record 38 victories (38-2 overall record) and advanced to the NCAA Tournament championship game, which they lost to Kansas, 75-68, in overtime.

The Tigers swept the Conference USA regular season and tournament titles and held the top spot in the national polls for a school-record five-straight weeks.

Calipari has amassed an overall record of 412-136. He became the second Division I coach in history to win 400 games in his first 16 seasons, joining Roy Williams.

Over eight seasons with Memphis, he has posted a 219-65 record, including a 104-10 mark in the past three seasons, which is tied with Kentucky (1996-98) for the most victories in a three-year span by a Division I team.

He also became the second coach in Division I history to win 30 or more games in three-consecutive years (2006-08), joining Adolph Rupp of Kentucky. UCLA's Ben Howland was the third coach to join the three-season 30-win group later in 2007-08.

"My position has never wavered," said Calipari. "As long as the school was committed to having a top-10 national program, I wanted to stay. Obviously, I feel that this has been done in the past and will continue to be done in the future."