SPOKANE — Tony Bennett said Tuesday he will remain the men’s basketball coach at Washington State University, where he is the first coach to ever take the Cougars to two consecutive NCAA tournament appearances.
Bennett, who tied the school record with 26 wins 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.
“I will remain as the head coach at Washington State and I look forward to building for the future,” Bennett said in a press 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.
“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.
The Cougars’ season ended this year when the team lost to North Carolina in the first trip to the Round of 16 in its history.
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