WASHINGTON, May 1 (UPI) -- Georgetown University has signed men's basketball coach Craig Esherick to a four-year contract extension through the 2008-09 season.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
Esherick played for and coached under John Thompson before becoming coach in January 1999.
"This extension clearly indicates the university's continuing commitment to Coach Esherick and his leadership of the program," said Athletic Director Joseph Lang. "Craig has averaged over 20 wins per season in his four full seasons as head coach, leading us to the Sweet 16 (of the NCAA Tournament) and the NIT final. We're very happy with what Craig is doing with our program. We want to make sure everyone understands our commitment to him."
Georgetown finished 19-15 last season. The Hoyas failed to make the NCAA Tournament, but reached the final of the National Invitation Tournament, losing the contest to Big East Conference rival St. John's.
Esherick has a 90-59 record at Georgetown, including a 25-8 mark in 2000-01, when the Hoyas advanced to the Sweet 16.
"I'm happy that this extension demonstrates that the university recognizes and appreciates my commitment," Esherick said. "There is no place I would rather coach than my alma mater."
Esherick played for Thompson from 1974-78, worked as a graduate assistant from 1979-81, and served as a full-time assistant under Thompson from 1982-99. He was promoted to head coach when Thompson stepped down on Jan. 8, 1999.
"I was never really concerned that we weren't going to be able to do it," Esherick, who acknowledged the important implications on recruiting, told the Washington Post. "But I went into (coaching) with my eyes wide open. I'm fortunate to have been in coaching for (24 years, including his service as an assistant to Thompson at the high school level and Georgetown) in the same city."
Thompson led Georgetown to three national championship games and one title in the Patrick Ewing era.
Only Syracuse's Jim Boeheim, Jim Calhoun of Connecticut, Mike Jarvis at St. John's, and Providence's Tim Welch were at their respective schools when Esherick was hired.
