Tony Bennett to stay at WSU

Published 11:23 pm Tuesday, April 8, 2008

SPOKANE — Tony Bennett said Tuesday he will remain the basketball coach at Washington State University, where he is the first coach to take the Cougars to two consecutive NCAA tournament appearances.

Bennett, who tied the school record with 26 wins in each of his first two seasons, is a hot commodity whose name had already been linked to openings at Indiana, California and Louisiana State, among others.

Many Washington State fans feared he would leave a program that has been a perennial loser in favor of a traditional basketball power. Washington State is located in Pullman, considered a tough place to lure top talent.

“I will remain as the head coach at Washington State and I look forward to building for the future,” Bennett said in a news release. “Washington State University is a special place.”

Other details were not immediately available.

Messages left at Bennett’s office in Pullman and with Washington State athletic director Jim Sterk were not immediately returned.

Bennett, 38, did not plan on making any additional statements at this time, WSU basketball spokeswoman Jessica Schmick said.

Asked if Bennett would receive a raise or other financial rewards, Schmick said Bennett is in standard postseason discussions with athletic administrators about how to continue improving the program.

Bennett is said to be seeking more money for his assistant coaches, plus facilities improvements and better travel arrangements out of Pullman.

“That is all unrelated with him staying,” Schmick said.

In his brief statement, Bennett thanked WSU for allowing him to replace his father, legendary coach Dick Bennett, two seasons ago.

“I am thankful for the opportunity this university gave me to become head coach and for the continued support of President (Elson) Floyd, Jim Sterk and the entire Cougar Nation,” Bennett said.

Bennett has led the Cougars to a 52-17 record in two seasons, and to only the fifth and sixth NCAA tournament appearances in the history of the program.

This season, the Cougars went 26-9 and made the first trip to the Round of 16 in their history, losing to North Carolina.

In his first season, Bennett led the Cougars to a 26-8 season and into the second round of the NCAA tournament. He was named The Associated Press coach of the year and given a big raise to more than $700,000 per year on a seven-year contract.

The 26 wins each season tied the team record set in 1941.

Signing Bennett was a good business move, as the Cougars this season drew more than 9,000 fans per game to Friel Court, once one of the emptier venues in the Pacific-10 Conference.