Joe Scott signs contract extension through 2008
4/11/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
April 11, 2002
Air Force Director of Athletics Col. Randy Spetman announced today that men's basketball head coach Joe Scott has signed a three-year contract extension through the 2008 season. In addition, assistant coach Chris Mooney has been promoted to associate head coach.
"This extension indicates how much our basketball program has improved in the past two years," said Spetman. "We are committed to making this a winning program, and Joe Scott is committed to getting us there."
Scott, who signed a five-year deal when he took over the basketball program on April 7, 2000, led the Falcons to a 9-19 overall record and a 3-11 mark in the Mountain West Conference during the 2001-02 season, just the second all-Division I schedule in program history and a campaign filled with close losses. Eleven of the Falcons' 19 opponents received a bid to either the NCAA or NIT tournament, and 12 of their losses were by eight points or less, including five by three points or less. Scott has a record of 17-40 in his two years at Air Force.
Air Force produced a number of milestones during the '01-02 campaign. The Falcons won their first back-to-back road games since 1989, and won consecutive conference games for the first time since 1995. The team won the most Division I games (nine) since 1990, and posted six non-conference Division I wins for the first time since starting conference play in 1980. In addition, Air Force made its first appearance on ESPN's "Big Monday" telecast.
"This is an exciting step for the basketball program," said Scott. "The administration is making a statement that our program and our players are important, which is necessary for us to advance to the next level."
Scott has been instrumental in advancing the basketball program off the court as well, producing an 80% increase in season-ticket sales and a 70% jump in home attendance during his two years at Air Force. He has also developed a "Friends of Air Force Basketball" booster group.
Financial terms of Scott's extension will not be disclosed.
Mooney, who was Scott's top assistant during the 2001-02 campaign, joined the Air Force staff two years ago after a two-year stint as head coach at Beaver College in Glenside, Pa. He was a four-year letterwinner at Princeton and an all-Ivy League first-team selection his senior campaign.
"Chris has been and will be a vital part of our success at Air Force," said Scott. "His knowledge and feel for the game are qualities that we need to turn this program into a perennial winner."
