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Sports

Richmond's Mooney signs 10-year extension

Associated Press
Published | Updated

RICHMOND, Va. – Richmond men's basketball coach Chris Mooney has signed a 10-year contract extension with the Spiders after leading them to the Sweet 16.

The school, clearly anticipating that Mooney could attract interest from schools in the traditional power conferences, said Mooney signed the deal Sunday night.

"I was anxious to get something done and the school was anxious to get something done, so it was kind of pretty smooth," Mooney said in a telephone interview after the deal was announced.

"There did not need to be a lot of back and forth," he said. "I think they are as excited about the future of our program as I am, so it really was able to go pretty quickly."

Georgia Tech was thought to be interested in Mooney, and possibly other schools.

"I'm going to stay at Richmond and I'm thrilled with the opportunity," Mooney said.

"I know there were some schools that were interested and obviously I'm flattered and appreciate the interest, but I reallly love where the program is going at Richmond."

It is the third straight year that Mooney, 38, has received an extension, and this one carries through the 2020-2021, but the school said other terms will not be released.

"Chris Mooney has demonstrated that he is the right fit for the University of Richmond," athletic director Jim Miller said in a release announcing the extension. "He has attracted quality student-athletes and guided them to success both on the court and in the classroom."

The deal comes after the Spiders set a school record with 29 victories, eclipsing the previous record of 26 set last season. Richmond also won the Atlantic-10 tournament for the first time in its 10 years in the league, and a berth in the NCAA tournament's round of 16 for just the second time.

Richmond (29-8) was beaten 77-57 by Kansas in the regional semifinals on Friday night.

Mooney has a 112-87 record in six years at Richmond, and the team has accumulated 91 victories over the past four seasons, the most of any team in the Spiders' 99-year history.

The Spiders lose a wealth of experience and scoring from this season's team, including 2010 A-10 player of the year Kevin Anderson and 6-foot-10 forward Justin Harper, their leading scorer this season, but have 12 players coming back next year as well as their new recruits.