Beilein signs extension with Michigan
John Beilein
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (WJBK/AP) - The University of Michigan announced Wednesday morning they have signed Men's Basketball Head Coach John Beilein to a five-year rollover extension.
"I am thrilled to ensure John's leadership of our basketball program today and into the future," University of Michigan Athletic Director Warde Manuel said in press release. "I am very pleased with our shared dialog throughout the process, and I am extremely happy that one of the game's great coaches is representing the University of Michigan."
The deal will run through the 2022-23 season and then will automatically extend every year afterwards until either Beilein or the University of Michigan gives notice that it will not be renewed by mid-April.
"I am grateful for the opportunity the University of Michigan has given to me over the past 11 years," said Beilein in press release. "Kathleen and I love Ann Arbor, our University, our fans and the state of Michigan. We will continue to work very hard in the future to have our basketball team reflect the greatness of this University. I thank Mark Schlissel and Warde Manuel for their faith and commitment to our coaching staff and basketball program. The future of men's basketball is bright and I am excited to be a part of it."
The 65-year-old Beilein has coached at Michigan for 11 seasons with a 248-143 record. He has led the Wolverines to two Final Fours, losing in the national title game this year and in 2013. Beilein has won a pair of Big Ten championships and two Big Ten Tournament titles.
Long considered one of college basketball's top offensive minds, Beilein is 799-461 in 39 seasons. His college coaching career began in 1978 at Erie Community College, and he went on to Nazareth and Le Moyne. Beilein, who is from Burt, New York, also made Division I stops at Canisius, Richmond and West Virginia before moving to Michigan.
When Beilein's program hit a bit of a rut, he adapted by bringing in new assistants to help shore up his team's weaknesses at the defensive end. Michigan was one of the top defensive teams in the country this past season, again falling just one game short of a national title.
The Wolverines lost star big man Moe Wagner early to the NBA, but some key players return from what was one of the best defensive teams in the nation. Charles Matthews, Zavier Simpson, Jordan Poole and Isaiah Livers will be joined by what is expected to be a strong group of new recruits.
Now Beilein can prepare for the 2018-19 season with the Wolverines. Michigan announced earlier this offseason that the team will go on a tour of Spain from Aug. 17-26 that will include exhibition games.
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