April 11, 2002

OXFORD, Ohio - Head men's basketball coach Charlie Coles received a two-year contract extension, Miami University Athletic Director Joel Maturi announced today. In the spring of 1999, Coles signed a five-year deal taking him through 2003-04. The recent extension will lengthen his existing contract through the 2005-06 season, which is Miami's 100th year of men's basketball.

"Charlie is the type of quality person every institution wants guiding their program, and I'm thrilled he will continue to lead ours," says Maturi. "Although this season may not have turned out the way we wanted it to, I know that Charlie's competitive drive and love for his alma mater and his student-athletes will get Miami's men's basketball program back to the tradition of excellence for which it is noted and that Charlie has been so much a part of."

Coles, who turned 60 in February, owns a 107-78 record over six years as the RedHawks' mentor and ranks third at Miami in wins and sixth for winning percentage (.578). With a career record of 199-162 over a combined 12 years at Miami and Central Michigan University, Coles leads all active Mid-American Conference Coaches in career wins at a MAC school and conference only wins (116). He also owns a 19-10 record in MAC Tournament play, posting three times as many wins as any active MAC coach. In 12 years as a head coach at a MAC school, Coles' squads have never missed a MAC Tournament and have at least advanced to the quarterfinals since the league expanded to the 13-team tournament format in 1999-00. His 199 wins rank fifth on the all-time MAC coaching list behind long-time Miami coach Darrell Hedric's 204.

Over his first five years at Miami, Coles led the RedHawks to the MAC Championship game every season-a league record for consecutive appearances. Two of his first three Miami squads advanced to the NCAA Tournament, including the RedHawks' 1999 Sweet 16 run which, catapulted Miami onto the covers of such national publications as USA Today and Sports Illustrated. During his Miami stint, Coles-who is noted for annually putting together one of the nation's top non-conference schedules-owns six of the program's 26 triumphs over ranked opponents, equalled only by Hedric. Most recently, the RedHawks topped Boston College, 73-67, this season at the Hawai'i Outrigger Rainbow Classic. The Eagles were ranked 10th in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches' Poll and 11th by the Associated Press.

"It is a privilege to be a part of the program I played in, and to continue coaching quality student-athletes," says Coles. "I have a great love for this University and am proud to continue serving as its head men's basketball coach."

Coles, who is a 1965 Miami graduate, was three-year letterwinner and two-time all-MAC selection for the Red and White. He was inducted into Miami's Athletic Hall of Fame in 1990.