Editor: The following is a press release from utmsports.com.
Martin, TN – The University of Tennessee at Martin has signed head men’s basketball coach Anthony Stewart to a rolling five-year contract extension through the 2021-22 season, athletic director Kurt McGuffin announced today.
Stewart was the Skyhawks’ associate head coach for two seasons before he was elevated to head coach on April 21, 2016. He proceeded to guide UT Martin to one of its best seasons in school history, as the Skyhawks tied a school record with 22 victories, clinched their first-ever outright Ohio Valley Conference West division championship, advanced to the OVC Tournament championship for the second consecutive season and made their third straight postseason appearance. He was named as one of 21 finalists for the Ben Jobe National Coach of the Year Award in 2016-17.
“Coach Stewart has proven that he is a successful head coach and is a true leader,” McGuffin said. “We wanted to reward him with an additional year as this move will also provide stability for our program. I look forward to continuing a winning partnership with Coach Stewart for many seasons to come.”
UT Martin has reeled off at least 20 wins in all three seasons since Stewart joined the Skyhawks in 2014. UT Martin has dialed up five postseason wins in that span – becoming the only OVC program to win at least one postseason game in each of the past three seasons.
“I’d like to thank Chancellor Keith Carver and athletic director Kurt McGuffin for their belief in me and continual support of our program,” Stewart said. “We’ve made a ton of progress in my time at UT Martin and a lot of that credit is due to my phenomenal staff and student-athletes. It’s a true privilege to be the head coach of the Skyhawks as we continue this exciting era of UT Martin basketball.”
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Three more road wins so far in @ValleyHoops as @BradleyUMBB @BelmontMBB & @UIC_MBB capture road wins. Looks like @DrakeBulldogsMB will do so too. #FatherHarry
Well @RacersWBB followed the men's example and swept Iowa in the @ValleyHoops race! Racers are 6-1 & if @BelmontWBB holds on to their Iowa sweep, the Bruins and Racers will be tied for first. What a trip for those two teams! #FatherHarry
After today's action, @EIUWBB is 8-0 in @OVCSports play. 4 teams @usiwbb @TTUWBB @LRTrojans @LindenwoodWBB are tied at 6-2. Six other teams are under .500. Great race to the finish lies ahead. #FatherHarry
Really entertaining game between @BelmontMBB & @UEAthletics_MBB. Under four minutes left in a one point game. Gabriel Pozzato back in the Aces' lineup. Rogers is playing like I've expected. Triples are dropping. It's fun and @kylejpeach bringing it on #ThePlus #FatherHarry
