UAlbany extends coach Brown
Signs maximum 5-year deal that goes through 2020-21
ALBANY » With the success the University at Albany men’s basketball team has had under coach Will Brown, it wouldn’t be a surprise if other programs showed interest in his services.
It appears Brown isn’t going anywhere. Not for the next few years, anyway.
Brown agreed to a new fiveyear contract — the maximum length contract per state regulations — that will keep him at the helm of the Great Danes through the 2020-21 season.
“We are very fortunate to benefit from the foundation of success built by Richard ‘Doc’ Sauers, which Coach Brown has continued over the past 15 seasons in establishing UAlbany as an America East power,” UAlbany Director
of Athletics Mark Benson said. “Along with winning championships, Will has brought first class studentathletes who represent this university so well and succeed both in the classroom and the court.”
Since officially taking over as UAlbany men’s basketball head coach for the 2001-02 season, Brown has led the Great Danes to five America East Tournament titles, five NCAA Tournaments and seven overall postseason tournament appearances. UAlbany has earned postseason berths the past five seasons, including three America East Tournament titles and three berths into the NCAA Tournament. The team earned its first victory in the NCAA Division I Tournament in 2014 with a 71-64 victory over Mount St. Mary’s.
The Great Danes finished 24-9 in 2015-16 and won the America East regular season title, but were upset by Hartford in the first round of the conference tournament.
Brown is tied Basketball Hall of Fame member Jim Calhoun with a leaguebest five America East titles. He has 17 victories in the league tournament, second most all-time in the conference and most with one school in the America East.
“I am excited about the vision that Mark Benson has in place for our program and the entire athletic department as we move forward,” said Brown. “I would also like to thank my family, current and past players, current and past members of my staff and our great fans! I am proud to represent the university and look forward to the upcoming season!”
Brown is also active in the Capital District community. He recently hosted the 11th annual Coaches vs. Cancer Basket Ball that raised money for the American Cancer Society.
“I would like to thank former President Robert Jones, current interim President James Stellar and Director of Athletics Mark Benson for their commitment to me, my family, our staff and the student-athletes in our program,” said Brown. “I would also like to thank Deputy Director of Athletics Jerry Koloskie, who oversees men’s basketball. The University at Albany is a special place where our student-athletes can flourish in the classroom, on the court and in the community. I am looking forward to the continued growth and development of our program. President Stellar, Mark Benson and Jerry Koloskie continue to provide us with the necessary resources to compete for championships on and off the court!”
The 2016-17 Great Danes will participate in the 2016 Hall of Fame Tip Off tournament. UAblany plays at Penn State Nov. 11 then at Cincinnati Nov. 14.