Jenkins and Muscatell Receive extensions

Kadeezy · Post by **Kadeezy** » Fri Apr 21, 2006 11:19 am

JENKINS AND MUSCATELL BOTH RECEIVE CONTRACT EXTENSIONS THROUGH 2008
Release Date: 4/21/2006

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — After the Sacramento State men’s basketball team posted its best year in Div. I history and the women’s basketball squad tallied its best record in 10 years, men’s head coach Jerome Jenkins and women’s head coach Dan Muscatell were both given contract extensions through 2008, it was announced today by Athletics Director Terry Wanless.

“I am very pleased with the progress that both of our basketball programs have achieved,” Wanless said. “Certainly, that is reflective of the leadership that both Coach Jenkins and Coach Muscatell have exhibited.

“We are excited that both will remain with the program for the foreseeable future, and will continue to provide the leadership that eventually will lead both programs to a Big Sky Conference championship.”

Since Jenkins took over the men’s basketball program prior to the 2000-01 season, the Hornets’ overall record has substantially improved from 5-22 during his first year to a Div. I (1991-pres.) program-best 15-15 this past season. He has led the Hornets to four-consecutive Big Sky Conference Tournament appearances after the team failed to reach the postseason during its first six years in the league. The Hornets have averaged 11.0 victories per season during Jenkins’ six-year tenure after averaging just 4.1 wins per year from the team’s first season in Div. I until Jenkins’ arrival.

In addition, nine of Jenkins’ players have graduated over the last five years, and two more are on pace to graduate by the end of this summer.

“I’m pleased that the administration continues to show confidence in me and my staff as we work towards a Big Sky championship,” Jenkins said. “I’m also very happy to have the opportunity to continue working with our players because I feel we are close to accomplishing something very special. One of my biggest goals will remain helping my players to stay on the right path to graduation.”

This past season, Muscatell guided the women’s team to a 9-17 overall record and the team improved its record for the second-consecutive year. The Hornets placed a program-best three players on the Big Sky all-conference team and went undefeated (5-0) at home during non-conference play, including victories over Gonzaga, Pacific and Causeway-rival UC Davis. The team also set several Division I program records (1991-pres.) last season, including limiting the opposition to 1,726 points, the lowest point total during the team’s Div. I tenure. Other Div. I records included the team knocking down 161 three-pointers and shooting 74.0 percent from the free-throw line, a mark which was also the 33rd best in the nation.

Over the last two years, Muscatell has seen five of his players graduate, and the current team’s 3.13 cumulative grade point average is the second-highest in the Sacramento State athletics department.

“I am thankful for the support and confidence of our athletic director that comes with this renewal,” Muscatell said. “I look forward to continuing to build the Sacramento State women’s basketball program towards a Big Sky Conference championship.”

GrizinWashington · Post by **GrizinWashington** » Fri Apr 21, 2006 11:29 am

Kadeezy, I'm guessing this is viewed as a positive development in Sac? Both coaches have taken rather moribund programs and made them very competetive.

Kadeezy · Post by **Kadeezy** » Fri Apr 21, 2006 11:52 am

Yep. I would say that they expect Jenkins to make the NCAA tourney by 2008 and if he doesn't he will most likely be gone. I just hope the Griz don't have monopoly on the Conference by then...