Loudonville, NY (My Sportsbook) - Fran McCaffrey will not be among the college
basketball coaches changing addresses this spring, as he agreed to an eight-year deal with Siena on Wednesday.
McCaffrey has spent four successful seasons at Siena, guiding the program to the NCAA Tournament each of the last two years. The 2008-09 squad finished with a 27-8 record, beating Ohio State in the first round of the tourney before giving Louisville all it could handle in a 79-72 setback in the second round.
Siena also won a first-round game in the 2008 NCAA Tournament, knocking off Vanderbilt, before bowing out to Villanova in the second round.
"I have thoroughly enjoyed my first four years at Siena and am very proud of all that we have accomplished," said McCaffery. "The continued support of the administration and Siena community has made this place a very special home for me and my family. I look forward to building upon our recent success, while continuing to develop young men of character who represent Siena's mission and values in the most positive way possible."
The Saints have produced a winning record in each of McCaffrey's four seasons and an overall mark of 86-43 with a pair of Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championships.
"It was important that Siena show it is committed to the basketball program and its head coach," Siena director of athletics John D'Argenio said. "We are extremely pleased that the college and Fran have agreed to a new contract that is a win-win for both of us. What has been accomplished the past two seasons is unmatched in Siena's rich basketball tradition. We look to continue moving forward and adding to that tradition."
McCaffrey took over at Siena in April of 2005 after a six-year stint at North Carolina-Greensboro, where he finished with a record of 90-87. He also had a mark of 49-39 from 1985-88 at Lehigh, first taking the job with the school at age 26.
Between his head coaching jobs at UNC-Greensboro and Lehigh, McCaffrey was an assistant at Notre Dame from 1988-99. He was also an assistant at Lehigh (1983-85) and his alma mater, Penn (1982-83).
