UNI’s Men’s Head Basketball Coach Gets Contract Extension
As a UNI men's basketball fan, watching the Panthers take on mighty Kansas in the 2010 NCAA basketball tournament, I'll never forget watching "the shot heard around the world". Well, around the college hoops world anyway. Ah, the sweet sound of brackets busting when Ali Farokhmanesh delivered the dagger to beat the Jayhawks 69-67 and march on to the Sweet 16.
Panther fans also remember (or are still trying to forget) what happened in March of 2016. In what some call the greatest last-minute comeback in college basketball, ever, Texas A&M rallied from a 12-point deficit with 44 seconds remaining. The Aggies ended up winning in double overtime, 92-88. Ouch.
Over the years, and in between all the highs and lows, Panther hoops fans have been treated to many competitive teams, and a lot of fun in the McLeod Center, remember the "Interlude" dance in the student section? Good times.
UNI coach Ben Jacobson has signed a contract extension
UNI Athletics announced in a press release today, that they've locked up the four-time Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year through the end of the 2028-29 season.
Jacobson is the winningest coach in UNI history with 301 victories and a .605 winning percentage. Under his guidance, the Panthers have earned three regular-season MVC titles, including the 2019-2020 season and four Arch Madness tournament championships.
This year marks 20 years that Jacobson has been associated with the UNI program
"Coach Jake has led our men's basketball program to unprecedented heights and has done it with class and dignity," He has built a program that is highly respected across the NCAA for the way that our student-athletes carry themselves on and off of the court. We are proud that he is our coach and look forward to an exciting year next season and continued success under his leadership." Director of Athletics David Harris said in a press release.
Jacobson was promoted to head coach after the departure of Greg McDermott after the 2005-06 season. He was hired to McDermott's staff in 2001 and was promoted to Associate Head Coach in 2005. "I want to thank David Harris and President Nook for their continued support and trust in our basketball program," Jacobson said. "I am thrilled with our current student-athletes and the commitment they have shown to each other and our university. We are hard at work preparing for a terrific season in front of a full McLeod Center".
The 2021/22 basketball season looks to be an exciting one for UNI fans, as star junior guard A.J. Green returns to the lineup after season-ending hip surgery last December. Season tickets are now available by clicking here and the season will get underway in mid to late November.
UNI's head softball coach also gets a contract extension
In other Panther Athletics news, it was announced last week that head softball coach Ryan Jacobs has been signed to a two-year contract extension which will keep him in the dugout through the end of the 2026 season. This year, UNI softball saw their first at-large bid to the NCAA tournament in program history.
According to a press release, Jacobs and his staff were named the Missouri Valley Conference Coaching Staff of the Year for the fourth time in his tenure and the Panthers won 30 games for the sixth time under Jacobs' leadership.