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Todd Lickliter Awarded New Butler Contract
April 14, 2003 Butler men's basketball coach Todd Lickliter, who has guided the Bulldogs to the best back-to-back seasons in school history, has received a new contract that will keep him at the helm of the Bulldogs through the 2009-2010 season. The new, seven-year roll-over agreement replaces his former contract, which was previously the longest ever offered to a Butler coach. "We are rewarding Todd for his tremendous coaching job in leading this year's team to the NCAA Sweet 16," stated Butler director of athletics John Parry, who negotiated the agreement. "We are proud of what he accomplished and even more proud of the young men who represented Butler so well in the classroom and on the basketball court." Parry noted that the new agreement will put Lickliter at the top of the Horizon League in terms of compensation, and it contains performance incentives for continued success that will give the Butler coach a chance to earn 'Gonzaga-like numbers.' "Todd is a keeper, and everyone at Butler wants him to have a long and successful career as our coach," added the Butler athletic director. "I'm elated and I very much appreciate the confidence that John and the administration have shown in me," said Lickliter. "We wanted last season to be prolonged so we could continue to work with a terrific group of players. Now its not just prolonging a season but a career, and that's exciting. Butler is a very special place, and I'm proud to have the opportunity to coach here." Lickliter, who was named Butler's 20th head coach in May of 2001, has led Butler to the two highest single season win totals in school history. He guided the Bulldogs to a 26-6 record in his initial season, and then topped that this past season with a 27-6 mark, a second consecutive Horizon League regular season championship and Butler's first trip to the "Sweet 16" of the NCAA Tournament since 1962. Only two coaches in NCAA history have compiled more wins in their first two seasons as a head coach! Butler recorded its seventh consecutive 20-win season in 2002-03 and made its seventh straight post-season tournament appearance. The Bulldogs were ranked 21st in the final ESPN/USA Today poll, which was Butler's highest final national ranking since 1948-49. |
