For one UTC coach it is most likely his last contract extension and for the another it’s the first of many.
Hall of Famer and UTC women’s head basketball coach Jim Foster, 67, and the Mocs men’s basketball coach Matt McCall, 34, who finished his first year as a head coach in March have received contract extensions through the 2021-22 seasons.
Foster is 82-16 in three seasons at UTC, three Southern Conference titles and three trips to the NCAA tournament.
“I saw a lot of potential in the school when I arrived here three years ago and now there is the new library, a great downtown and I get to work with great people,” said the hall of fame coach who has taken four schools to the NCAA tournament. “Chattanooga is a hidden gem of a city.”
Looking to Next Year: “I like our team for next year and the expectations to maintain what we have done in the past are high,” said Foster. “The expectations come with the job. We need to win games and graduate kids.”
For Matt McCall, he led the Mocs to 29 wins (29-5), two key road wins at Georgia and Dayton and won the SoCon title for the first time since 2009.
First, I thanks (athletics director) David Blackburn and his staff for the opportunity a year ago to be the head coach,” said McCall.
“ Couldn’t have asked for a better situation for me and my family.
The former Univerity of Florida assistant coach stated, “My wife loves Chattanooga and if she is happy then I am happy.”
Looking Back a Year
“When I arrived here last April I found a tightly knit group of plaers who cared about each other and when Casey Jones went down with an imjury early in the season the players did not miss a beat,” said McCall.
David Blackburn Comments
“I am very thankful that both these coaches are with us knowing they could be other places.
“They both had tremendous seasons and the contract extensions were a no brainer.
Both Jim and Matt know how to treat the student/athletes, they are able to recognize what effort looks like and demands it every day in a respectful manner.
“That is why they have been successful.”
Future Schedules
The men’s 2016-17 schedule includes road games at Tennessee and North Carolina, while the women host Notre Dame and travel to Stanford and UConn.